User reviews

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.)

An excellent series, masterfully acted and directed, but unloved (I am told) by Mr Deighton and withdrawn by him after a single presentation.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.

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!

This mini-series where I first became familiar with the name of Ian Holm and marvelled at the talent he brought to all his roles. A great talent lost. Brilliant in this work and all others. Thank you Sir Ian.

I saw this series, or most of it, when it was broadcast originally. I managed to obtain a 'bootleg' copy of it a while back and have just finished watching it again. A real delight.

It does not correspond exactly to Len Deighton's trilogy (actually there are nine books in the trilogy, together with a 'prequel', 'Winter') as Fiona, in the books, is an even more complex character, a triple agent. To do the complete series of books full justice would take a film series of around 30+ hours long, a colossal undertaking.

However, taken on its own merits, the TV series is one of the best espionage thrillers that I have ever seen on the screen, equally as good as the BBC George Smiley adaptations. Watching it today is like going back to another world, a world that is thankfully gone. If the series ever comes out in an official DVD version, which I hope it does, I will be one of the first people to buy it.

I have been a fan of Deighton since the mid 1960s, and very much miss not having a new work of his every year. However I can always re-read them, and occasionally re-watch Game, Set & Match as well as the Michael Caine film adaptations.

Intelligence agents like Bernie Samson are not towering hulks or finely chiselled slabs of beef. They look like ordinary humdrum office staff or factory workers; who can pass in a crowd, stand on an hour unnoticed on a station platform, be stopped for their papers and not give off a vibe of trained violence. Tradecraft, not muscle, is what gets you by on the street, although Bernie can handle himself when it's called for. Eric Stinnes needed the Stasi behind him as part of his impressive 'chi'; without it he would have looked more like a pained, neurotic artist.

As regards Mr Deighton's view of the filmed realisation of his novel, he must be in an exclusive minority of writers who can afford stand by and not have a prize asset come to market; and, even rarer, be content to see it go out 'samizdat' to the hungry viewers, rather than admit that - on the one - the public begs to differ. Not sure that this withholding of permission will always be the case.

For the record, I don't think that there is a dud performance in the whole series, and the music and lighting - which nobody has yet mentioned, is particularly good. In summary, the series is a insightful depiction of Britain (and it's neuroses) at a certain time - a fitting pendant to Le Carre's Smiley Trilogy (but not so cannily marketed, eh guys?).

This absolutely fantastic limited run series is spellbinding, wonderfully acted, beautifully filmed.

My parents taped it for me, and I'm glad they did! I've only been able to see the film a few times, and the tape has been lost.

My understanding Len Deighton envisioned the lead as tall and blonde, not short and brunette, as Ian Holmes was, and he blocked its release.

What a shame! I can remember bits and pieces of the fim so vividly! I have to confess I would never had heard of Len Deighton except for this brilliant series!

If Mr. Deighton can take pity on the world, he will (finally) have this re-released.

It is clear to me that Deighton could not have accepted such a serious miscasting for Bernard Samson by the otherwise excellent actor Ian Holm. The character is supposed to be at least six feet tall, around 13 stones in weight and in his early forties. Holm is so out of place in that regard that he rivals the miscasting of Tom Cruise as the Jack Reacher character. No doubt there will be those who claim that such physical disparity between the character and the performer is irrelevant. However, it is fundamental in this case. It appears to be a given that producers and directors are happy to play with central components of novels in their conversion to on screen versions. We saw this with the otherwise entertaining new version of Tinker, Tailor, but it is completely unnecessary and is usually damaging to the end result.

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.

I watched the presentation of this on PBS in the U.S. when it originally aired in 1988 (?). Assuming the miniseries was available on DVD I purchased first editions of all three books last year. Since then I have been searching for the series on internet movie sites. Today I found this web site. I will give up the search.

I too would like to buy this complete - 26 episodes - miniseries. After buying the DVDs I would read each book, then watch the episodes for that book. That is what I did with John LeCarre's Karla trilogy and Larry McMurty's Texas ranger trilogy.

Does anyone have any suggestions for great books or book series that became very good TV miniseries - or movie series - that are now available on DVD?

Others have done an excellent job summarising this fine mini-series, so I won't bother going into details. I did want to mention that, on a BBS devoted to Len Deighton's work, it was mentioned (although not independently verified) that it was indeed Deighton who kept the series from going to tape (or any other subsequent medium) because of his displeasure with its realisation (stupid temperamental writers!).

It was only by chance that I learned about the series the morning of the day the first episode was to air (unlike one of the other reviewers, I knew Ian Holm very well, first from Alien, and I just happened to notice his picture in the paper in an article previewing the series). I had the foresight to tape it, but missed getting the post-first-episode interview with Ian Holm (tape ran out), which I kick myself for to this very day.

I'm sure I'm not alone in stating that this series NEEDS to be on DVD, but until Deighton dies, this probably won't happen (and I am completely mystified as to what it was he objected to - the series brought every one of the characters to vivid, realistic life, was incredibly (though not slavishly) true to the books, and so enthralled me that I went out and bought all of Deighton's spy novels, even though I'd never read one before). Until then, those of us with tapes will continue to set aside 13 hours every year or so to enjoy this incredibly well-produced, well-acted, and well-told story, hoping each year as the tapes slowly corrode that Deighton will have a change (or massive infarction) of heart and let us have this series in all its glory on DVD...

This TV series is one of the most brilliant I ever seen. It compares, if not exceeds "Tinker Salior Soldier Spy" and "Smiley's People" (John Le Carre, please forgive me). To this day I do not understand why it has not been released on DVD or at least VHS, DVD would be preferable due to the skillful photography and editing. I would love to see this released.

For those who love the spy movie this is a joy. Settle down for two or three evenings viewing and follow the detailed and fascinating plot. Watch this alongside so many current movies which treat the viewer as incapable of following anything that is not a simple tale. If there is anyone out there who has the means of arranging the series to DVD PLEASE DO, it would be a real thrill for many fans

I have never tired of watching this excellent series since it was first aired back in the eighties. I had the foresight to tape every episode and always try to watch as much of it as I can when it's good old entertainment I'm looking for. Great settings - Mexico, Berlin. For historical value its great to see all the scenes filmed in the vicinity of the Berlin Wall when cold war tension was high. The perfomances of all the actors bring Deighton's characters to life - Bernie, Werner, Fiona, Dickie etc. are all portrayed very well.

I have a friend who has all 7 DVDs of it. It was made in Australia from Tapes of the series. I understand it took many months to compile it all But I saw it and it was great. So nice to see it after so many Years. They did change the plot - that's why Deighten was so unhappy with it, Even though it was beautifully done. Ian Holm was born to play Bernard Sampson I don't know if there's any interest in obtaining the DVDs but they do exist Something this good just can't disappear. Call me sentimental-I miss the cold war Simply because I love the books. So, if anyone is interested in getting a copy let me know and I'll Forward request to my friend. He doesn't want to do anything illegal, He just loves Deighten

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.

Readers of this threat might light to know that there was first word surfacing in March 2009, through Deighton's publishers and marketing people, that as part of the 80th birthday year re-issues of his books, there was the idea of a re-filming of the Game, Set and Match books by ITV; not reshowing the 1988 series, but re-shooting it. No more details than that, but it's a sign. Though how they'd do the filming without a Berlin Wall or East Berlin in site would be interesting. Still, we live in hope.

I featured this on my blog, which links to my Deighton Dossier fansite, if anyone wants to go there for more details.

this i well remember. it was later . some years later that it has become a cult favorite. Deighton may not have like it( the movie) but i felt it was one of the great adaptation

a classic. a great movie that parallels the book . am willing also along with many others, i see, willing to paid for it. It will require Granda TV to release it in DVD or some enterprising person. the suspense builds and leaves many questions. Much better than the shoot em up mindless prater that comes out now. A number of fans are waiting for the go - ahead to buy a DVD. it will be a instant best seller. It is better than Soldier, Sailer...etc..

Post 12-07-05

i have obtained the DVD of it .now available. the sound is excellent , better than the original. video is acceptable. three years later . i actually pulled out the DVD last night and started watching it again. strange as i have gotten use to high def and this is plain DVD. the sound is terrific and the nuance is far superior to anything on the market.

i am taking bids and if anyone is near Baltimore or Washington you are welcome to preview for the quality i stated. email me with bids . obviously no copies of this can be made as i suspect that is against the law.

One of the finest espionage dramas ever filmed. Ian Holm gives one of his best performances as British Spy Bernard Samson. This series ran on British and then North American television in the late 80's. A little more than half way through the series a revelation is made that lives on in memory. It is an announcement made to Samson that is even more devastating than it is heartbreaking. Holm and the cast are so good that you believe in the truths of Bernard Samsons' life and when he hears that his life (as he has known it) has been an illusion, we as viewers, feel equally betrayed and annihilated.

One of the best things to appear on television or the cinema in thirty years, yet sadly not available for purchase in any format. Neither has it ever been re-aired in North America. A real find for espionage fans and captures the zeitgeist of the cold war better than anything since.