Game, Set, and Match

This made for television movie, based on the three books Game, Set, Match, by Len Deighton, is one of the best spy dramas ever produced. Ian Holm is brilliant in his portrayal of the stoic but cunning Bernard Samson. If you are a Deighton fan, as well you should be, this is certainly the best adaptation of his work ever to appear in this media since Michael Caine starred in The Ipcress File and Funeral In Berlin. If you like spy thrillers, this a collector's item. It is certainly on par with "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and one can only hope that it will be made available on DVD. I'll keep my fingers crossed that such wisdom will strike those who own the copyright!

Like many of the other viewers, I was lucky enough to tape this when it originally played. Until now, I have been mystified as to why it has never (a) been re-run or (b) never put on VHS or DVD. The film was expertly acted and simply the most realistic film ever of its genre. It captured the essense of the times and the places in which it was filmed. It is a true disservice to past and potential viewers that this creation is not available except to those who have the old tapes that will eventually crumble into disuse. Considering some of the lesser efforts that Len Deighton produced later on, I cannot understand why he would object to this magnificent portrayal of Bernard Samson et al.

It has been quite awhile since I saw this series - 1987 or 1988 when I lived in the USA. It was on PBS MYSTERY and no other TV series has captured my attention - and admiration - as this ten art series did. Thought I had the story all worked out until the last series of course. made me read the second trilogy - Hook, Line and Sinker (there are place names to it as well but I forget them. I here Mr D bought the copyright to the all the films - pity. Never seen a better mystery since. Sir Ian was a wonderfully confused Bernard and the various other characters from his wife, his girlfriend, Silas, whomever were all played out exceptionally well. Locations - or so it appeared were bang-on as well. The Smiley series is great (the Sir Alec for sure), this ranks just as good at a minimum.

An excellent series, masterfully acted and directed, but unloved (I am told) by Mr Deighton and withdrawn by him after a single presentation. It is now only viewable in private collections, and via the British Film Institute at special request. Very unfortunate, as Ian Holm's nuanced portrayal of the weary-but-determined Bernard Samson is superb; one of his very best performances. The supporting cast, including the young Amanda Donohoe and Hugh Fraser, are superb. With Mel Martin playing the conflicted and traitorous wife, and Michael Degen as the mercurial Werner, the story positively simmers with the tragic and fateful personal consequences of the great game.

I agree with everyone who says that this series was the best of the 'spy' genre. My husband and I were captivated by it when it first aired in the US and watched every episode. I tried at that time to purchase the series (I did tape all of it) but was told by WGBH that it was not available. I even considered writing to Ian Holm to see if he might have a copy! Like others, I purchased and read the Deighton series (in part to understand the complicated plot.) If the original version ever comes available on DVD, I'll be among the first in line to snap up a copy. Ian Holm's portrayal of the vulnerable but courageous Bernard Samson was amazing. (He is always amazing.)