Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (TV Mini Series)

Return to the Circus (1979)

Nigel Stock: Roddy Martindale

Photos 

Quotes 

• Roddy Martindale : [to George]  Love to Ann! EVERYBODY's love to Ann!

• George Smiley : I never knew Percy as a force, you see. Only as a...

  Roddy Martindale : Striver? Right. With his eyes on Control's purple, day and night.

• Roddy Martindale : So who's pulling the strings for Percy Puppet? How about dashing Bill Haydon? Your old rival, in every sense I'm told. Of course, he never was orthodox, was he?... All right then, it's Roy Bland, the shop-soiled white coat, the first Red darling to make the Circus. And if it's neither of them, and Control's really dead, then there's only one possible explanation: it's someone who's pretending to be in retirement. You, George! Admit it!

  George Smiley : You featherhead, Martindale! You pompous, bogus, gossiping old featherhead!

• Roddy Martindale : Let's talk about your old boss, Control. The only Head of the Secret Service who kept his name a secret. Shall we talk about Control?

  George Smiley : If you insist.

  Roddy Martindale : Of course, it wasn't a secret to you, was it, George? He never had any secrets from you, his tried and trusted right hand, did he?

  George Smiley : I don't know. That's the point about secrets.

• Roddy Martindale : I say this: Control never died at all. He's been seen, in South Africa. Can't blame a man for wanting a little peace in the evening of his life! Willy Andrewartha walked straight into him in Jo'burg Airport, in the waiting room. Not a ghost, flesh.

  George Smiley : That's the most idiotic story I've ever heard! Control died of a heart attack, after a long illness, throughout most of which he continued to work. Besides, he hated South Africa. He hated everywhere except Surrey, the Circus and Lord's Cricket Ground.

  Roddy Martindale : [not missing a beat]  Yes, of course. Willy Andrewartha was always the most Godawful liar. I said to him myself, you should be ashamed of yourself!

• Roddy Martindale : George! Hello there! My dear boy, if it isn't the maestro himself! Don't say you've forgotten me!

  George Smiley : Hello, Roddy. Nice to see you.

• Roddy Martindale : So what have you been doing all these months? I want to know everything, every little bit! How's the delectable? How is the lovely Lady Ann? Not in town at the moment, I hear...

• [a waiter passes by Smiley and Martindale and queries] 

  George Smiley : No, thank you. Please bring the bill...

  Roddy Martindale : It's my party. I'll get the bill when I'M ready!