[tomalpha]

For me, they are (or were) both great actors, but there is something masterful about Alec Guinness’s portrayal of George Smiley.

The film has the better supporting cast by far[0], but the original series is worth watching just for that portrayal. Watch his face as he slowly puts on his glasses during the beginning of the interrogation scene with Ricki Tarr for example.

[0] with the possible exception of another great performance by Ian Richardson

Edit: I very much enjoyed the film too, including Gary Oldman. But the miniseries captured the bleakness of the era, had time to explore more of the detail, and left more things implicit rather than explicit. All styles of production that I personally enjoy.

[dwd]

Phenomenal cast in that film - you would be hard pressed to hire even one of the supporting cast members these days with the $20m the film apparently cost at the time.

[noneeeed]

I want to see Cathy Burke do more stuff. Her scenes with Oldman were just outstanding.

[noefingway]

Agreed. It's a scene like that which separates the very good actors from the truly great. While I enjoyed the remake, I don't think it comes close to the original.