And the flaming owl? It’s the centerpiece of a short scene in which ex-Circus operative Jim Prideaux (Mark Strong) is teaching a French class at a private school for boys. Suddenly, an owl flies down the chimney, through the fire and – in flames – into the classroom. As it circles the room Prideaux seizes a ruler and, with a single well-aimed slash, brings the hapless bird down and out. The scene extraordinarily and economically lets us know that Strong’s deadly spy training is still very much available to him if he wants or needs it. “We shot it in separate layers,” explains Quintavalle, “The owl (incidentally an old friend from Harry Potter shoots), the children and Strong. Smoke, fire, embers and feather elements were tracked on to the owl, with Strong striking a dummy at the appropriate moment. Mark Strong was a delight for us to work with in that his timing was remarkable: we had to do a number of takes, tweaking the timing as we went, and Strong’s ability to add or subtract a beat or a second to his movements, whilst staying true to his character’s actions was astonishing.”

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is already being hailed for its performances, direction and writing as prime awards material. The Daily Telegraph calls it, “A superb adaptation of John le Carré’s brilliant, intricate Cold War spy novel…a triumph…packed with superb British actors, all at the top of their game,” and Variety commenting, in its inimitable style, “An incisive examination of Cold War ethics, rich in both contempo resonance and elegiac melancholy. Finely hammered to appeal to discerning auds and kudo-awarding bodies, Tinker should do sterling biz.” All this and a flaming owl to boot! What are you waiting for?

Studiocanal presents a Karla Films, Paradis Films, Kinowelt Filmproduktion co production with the participation of Canal+ and CinéCinéma a Working Title Production

DIRECTOR Tomas Alfredson
PRODUCERS Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Robyn Slovo
VFX Framestore

Framestore is an Oscar-winning visual effects company and the UK’s leading authority on stereoscopic 3D. Framestore uses innovative talent and technology to create hi-end images for every platform. In addition to working for Hollywood studios, advertisers, ad agencies, production and gaming companies, Framestore also generates its own paid-for content: eg – VFX in Your Pocket and Polar Peril.