Tinker, Tailor ... and the rest: Just in case you missed the film, it's on Channel 4 tonight at 21.00. And, yes, I know the advert interruptions will drive you mad but stick with it. Also, I suspect, sadly, that it might only appeal to a certain generation of Brits, like me, who were raised during the war and grew to adulthood during the cold war. But it is more than just a chronicle of those times. Like the very greatest books/plays/films it is a study in character. Gary Oldman will never perform better than in his portrayal of the melancholy but ruthlessly determined George Smiley. Just watch closely the very last shot in the film when, having triumphed, the camera moves in slowly to a close up of his normally impassive face - is there just the tiniest hint of triumph? The director, Tomas Alfredson, is a Swede and I amazed at his ability to disect the British society of that era with such uncanny accuracy.
The FIRST Battle of Britain: That is the title of one of my military history talks and refers, of course, to the Battle of Jutland, 1916. I give it that somewhat grandiose title because it's true, the fate of Britain hung on its outcome. The fact that it was, in 'footie' terms, a score draw with the Germans having the run of play merely proves the infinitely subtle truth that sometimes in warfare it is not necessary to win, only absolutely critical not to lose! For the outside observer this battle has everything, huge stakes hanging on the outcome, the fascinating characters of the commanders involved, the bewildering speed of changes in new technology and the imagined thrill of riding in one of those monster battleships at absolutely top speed surrounded at only a few hundred yards distance by dozens of similar monsters all of which have to turn and manouvre together like a giant, metallic corps de ballet. Anyway, as you guessed, I am giving this talk next Tuesday so I am immersed in re-reading my notes. Jutland, of course, is still mired in controversy with naval types split acrimoniously between'Jellico-ites' and Beatty-ites'. If you want a mercilessly forensic examination of all concerned look no further than The Rules of the Game: Jutland and British Naval Command by Andrew Gordon.
Hurrah for Max Hastings: On the subject of WWI allow me to raise a cheer for one current commentator who has the infinite good sense to agree with me! I am fed up with the current soppiness over WWI and the notion that it was all a terrible mistake for us to be involved and a gross waste of blood and treasure. It was nothing of the sort! The only difference between the Germany of WWI and the Germany of WWII was a matter of slight degree. The Kaiser and his henchmen were as mad and deluded as Hitler, and he and they had to be defeated in our own self interest. I am delighted, too, that Hastings takes a swipe at the WWI poets, something I have been doing for years to the horror of participants at various dinner parties when the subject has arisen - yes, you're right, think twice before inviting me! I am second to none in my admiration of the war poets not just for their bravery but for their magnificent poetry. However, their understandable belief that it was all for nothing was, and remains, tosh! Read Hastings, unsurprisingly he says it all much better than me. You need to scroll down to the bottom to the subsidiary piece attached to his main article.
More rumbles later . . .
