Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

In October 1973, British Intelligence head Control assigns agent Jim Prideaux to travel to Communist Hungary. This critical mission involves a meeting with a general who promises valuable information that could benefit their intelligence operations.

Tragedy strikes when Jim Prideaux is shot and captured by Soviet agents during his mission. This event ignites an international incident, creating tension between the British and Soviet intelligence agencies.

As a direct consequence of the incident involving Prideaux, Control and his loyal associate George Smiley are forced into retirement. Control's failing health worsens after this event, leading to his eventual death.

With Control gone, Percy Alleline takes over as the new Chief of the Circus. He is supported by key associates, including Bill Haydon, Roy Bland, and Toby Esterhase, as they implement a project called 'Witchcraft' to gather Soviet intelligence.

The 'Witchcraft' project successfully yields high-grade Soviet intelligence, a feat previously misjudged by Control and Smiley. This information is shared with American counterparts, leading to a lucrative exchange of intelligence between the two nations.

Oliver Lacon, a civil servant, enlists Smiley's help to investigate claims made by operative Ricki Tarr about a mole within British Intelligence. This unexpected task pulls Smiley back into the dangerous world of espionage.

Smiley assembles a small team, including Peter Guillam, and begins interviewing former Circus members regarding the time of their departure. He speaks with Connie Sachs, who claims that Alexei Polyakov may be handling a mole within the organization.

Ricki Tarr is sent to Istanbul to track down a Soviet agent named Boris. During this mission, he learns of Boris's wife, Irina, who holds crucial information about a mole in British Intelligence.

While in Istanbul, Tarr engages in an affair with Irina to win her trust. She proposes to exchange vital information about the mole sent by the Soviet spymaster Karla, but seeks a new life in the West in return.

After Tarr tries to relay Irina's request back to London, he is met with tragedy as both Boris and the British station chief in Istanbul are found murdered. Tarr finds himself wrongfully accused of defection and murder, forcing him into hiding.

Smiley directs Peter Guillam to retrieve the Circus logbook from the night when Prideaux was shot. They find that crucial pages have been excised, casting doubt on the official narrative and supporting Tarr's claims.

Smiley tracks down Prideaux, who reveals that the mission aimed to unearth the mole's identity. He shares codenames assigned by Control, deepening the mystery surrounding the betrayal within the Circus.

During his interrogation, Prideaux is tortured and forced to witness Irina's execution. This traumatic event underscores the stakes of identifying the mole threatening national security.

Smiley uncovers a safe house where Alleline and others meet with Polyakov, realizing the betrayal occurring within the Circus. One among them is surreptitiously providing high-caliber intelligence to the Soviets.

In a tense confrontation, Smiley pins down the mole, who is revealed to be Haydon. He divulges that he seduced Smiley's wife as a part of Karla's scheme to undermine Smiley's position.

As plans are made for Haydon's exchange back to the Soviets, Prideaux seeks vengeance for his betrayal and kills Haydon. This act allows Smiley to reclaim his position as Chief of the Circus and restore balance within British Intelligence.