The Complete George Smiley Radio Dramas: BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation

This audiobook box-set of the acclaimed "Complete George Smiley Radio Dramas", authored by John leCarre, was bought as a gift for a member of this reviewer's family. In the event, some of the stories, or parts thereof, were listened to by the reviewer. So the review, as given, is more or less an amalgam of views.In the first place it needs to be said that, arriving on time and as described by the seller, the box-set of 21 DVDs was in an appropriate plastic box. Each of the discs was placed on the top of the next one, as convenient a way as possible of containing such a collection. Being compact, the danger of damage to the DVDs was minimised, though there was the practical matter of arranging the DVDs in such a manner that the stories that were arranged on more than one disc are able to follow the appropriate previous disc of the same story.The stories themselves were narrated by an excellent selection of story-tellers - with Simon Russell Beale as George Smiley. Other notable story-tellers included Eleanor Bron, Kenneth Cranham, Brian Cox, Ian MacDiarmid, Hugh Bonneville, and, with special mention, Margaret Stead and Anna Chancellor. With a line-up of names such as these, it would be most difficult for the series to be other than highly successful - and it is! Aiding and abetting this galaxy of star names, is the effective sound of the recordings - including sound effects as well as voice recording. The parts are read with distinction, with the readings by the story-tellers never being tired or causing fatigue in the listener. Perhaps one slight note of complaint is the fact that it is occasionally difficult to realise when a new chapter in a story has begun. However, this does not detract from the overall grading of 5*s for the package as a whole.This box set of eight of BBC Radio 4's full-cast dramatisations of John leCarre stories, produced in 2016 and focusing on the character of George Smiley, is an astonishing collection. The set provides 19 hours of engrossing story-telling. At its current price, it represents very good value for money. Highly recommended.

The George Smiley series of books are some of Le Carre's best, and these are the Radio 4 dramatizations from the late 2000s, with Simon Russel-Beale as Smiley. His voice beautifully evokes that of Alec Guinness in the classic tv version of Tinker Taylor. And the dramatzations capture the plot of the books very successfully, not something which is easy to do in radio drama and with fairly conveluted plot lines in many cases. An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable listen.

This was an absolute treat from beginning to end. Like many people commenting on these audio versions, I had watched and loved the BBC version from the seventies, with Alec Guinness as Smiley. For me, Alec Guinness simply was Smiley and it was hard to fathom how any one else could take on that role.However, once you accept you're not going to hear Alec Guiness, Michael Jayston, Hywel Bennett and the inimitable Beryl Reid, this series simply flies. In fact, I'd go so far as to say get over the fact it's not the 1979 cast, for Simon Russell Beale is a joy and a delight as Smiley and along the way, there are some stand-out peformances. Hugh Bonneville is a superb Gerry Westerby and the way in which Anne's presence is brought to bear over George through the excellent Anna Chancellor is simultaneously subtle and heart-aching. It's achieved in a way which reminds you just how wonderful radio drama, at its very best (as this is) can be.Visually, nothing can replace the tv series, which so perfectly captured the misery, the meanness, the squalidness of it all and the utterly drab nature of Britain in the late 70s but this audio series is, in its own way, just as good. I have loved listening to the different books on long car journeys, it's like being re-united with old friends and I would recommend these wholeheartedly even though at £50 they are a bit of a luxury.

If you are going to play these directly from the CDs, this easily rates 5 stars .I was captivated by the radio series last year and wanted to be able listen again without time restriction. Simon Russell Beale is so believable as George Smiley and all the other parts are played excellently. A first class production.Le Carre's books are pretty deep and if you are like me, you will want to hear each play at least a couple of times before all becomes completely clear. You'll certainly get your money's worth in terms of hours of listening per pound spent.The one star comes off only if you want to transfer the whole series to an MP3 player or something similar. As your other reviewer says, the CD track info is pretty poor and inconsistent. If you simply transfer it without editing the info first, you may have difficulty in separating out the various episodes on your player. That can be fixed with a bit of time and the use of a free computer programme such as Real Player. Once done, you'll enjoy the five star experience of the plays themselves. Delays to train journeys are even to be enjoyed !

There is everything to like about these dramatised novels. Having been initially surprised at how these dense and intricate stories could be condensed into so short a listening space, they nevertheless provide a compelling and rewarding experience. Simon Russell-Beale as Smiley is incomparable; Alec Guinness still remains the master of the characterisation I think, but that relied also on the visuals as well as the voice, but Russell-Beale is well suited to the radio genre and the rest of the cast list contributes to this as a class act (or acts!). The stories retain their pathos as well as their cynicism and historicity. Highly recommended, and something I will keep and listen to again in future years, I think.

I have not yet started to listen to the product. I purchased it for my pending eye surgery in Sept.2023 when I will need to have more audio entertainment than visual, reading, entertainment for about 4 weeks. It is the perfect entertainment product for me at that critical time of surgery recuperation.Perfect product to listen to without visual distractions. Just like the old time radio shows of the past. Thank you for an excellent product for me to use.

Great set of BBC radio plays on CD.

These stories are presented on 21 each one hour CDs. The stories are two or three hours long. The two hour ones are the Looking Glass War, Call for the Dead, and A Murder of quality. The presentation is in stereo and the speakers are spread (most of the time) across the left-right space so you can keep track of them more easily. There are all sorts of background sound effects.The stories are abridged and simplified somewhat in order to make them fit into the time limits. Also radio cannot show things visually and these things are even spoken or missing. One example is the missing portion of the Tinker Tailor story when Smiley steps in a water puddle that is deep enough to submerge his shoes and fill them with water. Some things are described verbally, such as Peter using a sports car to transport Smiley to Oliver's home. Some poetic license has been taken to slightly alter the stories. One example is where Irena and Boris are in Hong Kong instead of Spain.All in all, These stories are just as entertaining as the book and the dramatizations made fifteen or more years ago (as opposed to the more recent dramatizations that are terrible). I find that listening to them with headphones is more entertaining because I feel that I am there with the people.

Voice acting is perfect.Simon Russel Beal almost sounds identical to Alex Guiness.The cast of characters are likewise cast perfectly and use the perfect balance of dark emotion and level enunciation to create gripping stories that measure up to the Hollywood productions starring Guiness and OldmanThe Ambient sound effects are just right and add to the superb visualization that unfolds as the scenes play outWord of recommendation, listen to these at night or in the dark with a good stereo system or a good set of Headphones. If you are burning it, be sure to do it lossless in ALAC (ITunes), WAV or FLAC. If possible, listen by a fireI don't give 4 star Rating very often, but this set is everything I was hoping it to be.

In the past I've never been much on these sorts of things. The BBC production of Len Deighton's Bomber changed all that. When I saw this I jumped at it, and I was immensely impressed. I had read all of these books years ago, but these dramatizations are a completely different experience. Simon Russell Beale is absolutely wonderful as George Smiley, but he is accompanied by some of Britain's best actors. I think my personal favorite is The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, with Brian Cox as Alec Leamas. I highly recommend these productions. They made me look forward to commuting every day!