Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

Simon McBurney: Oliver Lacon

Photos 

Quotes 

• Oliver Lacon : It's the oldest question of all, George. Who can spy on the spies?

• [from trailer] 

  Oliver Lacon : [to Smiley]  There's a mole, right at the top of the Circus. And he's been there for years.

• Oliver Lacon : The treasurer can't understand why can't the intelligence service simply put in a request for a general increase in funding and then you'll account for the spend on your special operation?

  Percy Alleline : Operation 'Witchcraft' needs to remain a secret; it's a fiefdom of its own.

  Oliver Lacon : Yes, that's what's winding us; whole thing's very unaccountable isn't it? This London house that no one knows the address of, is that really necessary?

  Percy Alleline : Now more than ever, we need to protect our Soviet source.

  Roy Bland : [lights a cigarette]  So where do you propose we meet, in a café?

  Oliver Lacon : The rent and rates on this house have... doubled.

  Roy Bland : We spent millions on nuclear warheads, we're asking for a few thousand for a house. I wonder if Karla has the same problem with the treasury at the Kremlin.

  Oliver Lacon : Look, nobody underestimates the importance of the jobs you chaps are doing.What happened in Budapest last year... That was a disaster.

  Roy Bland : With respect, sir, that wasn't one of your civil servants that got killed, was it? Now this isn't about soldiers in trenches anymore. We're the front line now...

  Oliver Lacon : Roy...

  Roy Bland : For 25 years we've been the only ones standing between them and Karla and Moscow and the Third bloody World War!

  Oliver Lacon : Look, the minister is very pleased with your progress so far. He's less pleased though, with our progress with our American cousins. You see, in their eyes... You're still a leaky ship.

• Oliver Lacon : [furiously buttering toast] 

• Oliver Lacon : That bloody mess in Budapest.