British filmmaker John Irvin, best known for adapting John le Carré’s espionage classic “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” for television, has died aged 86, his producer Claire Evans said on Wednesday.
Irvin died peacefully at home on August 11, surrounded by his family, Evans said. He is survived by three children and two grandchildren.
The 1979 BBC miniseries starred Alec Guinness as George Smiley, the restrained intelligence officer tasked with uncovering a Soviet mole within the British secret service. The acclaimed production won Irvin two BAFTAs and earned him an Emmy nomination, establishing his reputation and opening the doors to Hollywood.
He subsequently directed a string of action films and thrillers throughout the 1980s. They included “The Dogs of War”, starring Christopher Walken and Tom Berenger; the horror film “Ghost Story”, featuring Fred Astaire; “Raw Deal” with Arnold Schwarzenegger; the Vietnam War drama “Hamburger Hill”; and the crime thriller “Next of Kin”, starring Patrick Swayze and Liam Neeson.
Born in northern England in 1940, Irvin began his career working in documentaries and television before moving into feature films. His work eventually spanned five decades and ranged from Cold War intrigue and war dramas to horror, crime and politically engaged cinema.
Later in his career, he worked with Evans on the 2016 film “Mandela’s Gun”, which explored Nelson Mandela’s experience as a guerrilla fighter for the African National Congress before he became South Africa’s first Black president. The project reflected Irvin’s enduring interest in politically charged stories. — AFP
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