‘Englishmen could be proud then, George’: echoes of empire in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (BBC 1979)

This article considers attitudes towards the British Empire as depicted in BBC television mini-series Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (BBC 1979). Broadcast at end of 1970s, decade which post-empire era drew to a close, series shares with its mass audience complex emotions relate pervading sense national decline. The substance this exchange – message text and nature reception indicates multi-faceted response empire grand narrative, especially final chapter postscript. How does broach theme loss? To what extent protagonist George Smiley represent particular attitude empire? In answer these questions, maintains that meditations on past helped audiences make their fractured, present. And his quest unmask traitor, or Kim Philby-esque ‘mole’, within MI6, is much concerned conserving aspects tradition identity he conflict purely ideological geopolitical terms.