John Irvin, director of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, dies aged 86
British film-maker John Irvin, known for the BBC's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and films such as Hamburger Hill, has died aged 86. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.
British director John Irvin has died at the age of 86. His producer Claire Evans confirmed to the Guardian that he passed away peacefully at home on 11 August, surrounded by his family.
Across a five-decade career spanning television, documentaries and feature films, Irvin was known for his versatility, collaborating with figures ranging from Fred Astaire to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is best remembered for adapting John le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, with Alec Guinness starring as spy George Smiley.
Early career
Irvin was born in 1940 in Wallasey, Cheshire, and trained at the London Film School before working for British Movietone News. His first release came in 1963 with the documentary Gala Day, alongside the short film Inheritance, narrated by Richard Burton, which earned him his first Bafta. After later documenting the war in North Yemen, Irvin said Britain's MI6 took an interest in his work, though he was never formally recruited as a spy.
From television to Hollywood
In the 1970s, Irvin moved into television drama, directing works including Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which starred Guinness, Ian Richardson, Patrick Stewart and Beryl Reid. The miniseries won two Baftas from six nominations and received an Emmy nomination.
Its success opened doors in Hollywood, where Irvin directed The Dogs of War, the horror film Ghost Story starring Fred Astaire, Raw Deal with Schwarzenegger, and Hamburger Hill featuring Don Cheadle and Dylan McDermott. In 1991 he directed a version of Robin Hood starring Uma Thurman, made deliberately as a rival to Kevin Costner's blockbuster take on the story.
Irvin's final film, 2016's Mandela's Gun, examined Nelson Mandela's time as a guerrilla fighter for the African National Congress; he was working on a new cut of the film at the time of his death. He is survived by his three children and two grandchildren.
