The Bunker – News without the nonsense Iron Curtain Call – How The Spy Who Came In From The Cold still tells the ugly truth about espionage
Nov 6, 2025
David Eldridge, a talented playwright and screenwriter, discusses his stage adaptation of John le Carré's groundbreaking novel, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. He dives into the dark realities of espionage in the story, contrasting it with the glamorized world of spies like James Bond. Eldridge explores relevant themes of Cold War tensions, emotional stakes in espionage, and the class dynamics within British intelligence. He also elaborates on the expanded role of George Smiley for modern audiences, offering fresh insights into le Carré's enduring relevance.
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Le Carré Redefined Spy Fiction
- John le Carré made espionage morally ambiguous, exposing it as squalid and unglamorous compared to James Bond.
- The Spy Who Came In From The Cold crystallised that bleak view and shifted spy fiction toward moral complexity.
Adaptation Sparked By Contemporary Events
- David Eldridge was approached in 2018 about adapting the novel while tensions from the Salisbury poisonings still felt fresh.
- That immediate contemporary resonance convinced him the story wouldn't feel like a museum piece.
Human Feeling Drives The Tragedy
- The novel pairs grim espionage with emotional vulnerability, making Alec Leamas's feelings the engine of his downfall.
- Le Carré suggests that human connection makes spies both fallible and deeply human.
