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John le Carré talks being perfect MI5 recruit in The Pigeon Tunnel clip

The Pigeon Tunnel tells the story of British spy David Cornwell, better known as bestselling author John le Carré.

John le Carré in Pigeon Tunnel sitting on a chair by a table.

Apple TV+

Published: Wednesday, 11 October 2023 at 11:00 am

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New feature documentary The Pigeon Tunnel is set to be an anticipated watch for any fan of spies, espionage and real-life wonder.

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The new film follows the life and career of former British spy David Cornwell, who is better known by his pen-name of John le Carré. Of course, many book and TV lovers will know the late novelist for works such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and The Night Manager, both of which have been adapted for the screen.

Well, The Pigeon Tunnel will span a staggering six decades, with le Carré delivering his final and most candid interview amid a documentary that is packed full of rare archival footage and dramatised vignettes.

As if that wasn't enough to get us excited for the new documentary, RadioTimes.com has an exclusive first look at the Apple TV+ film. In the clip, we start to get a sense of what it would have taken to be part of MI5.

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The clip opens with an ominous-looking tunnel scene that is narrated by le Carré, who says: "It's terribly difficult to recruit for a secret service. In the end, you're looking for somebody who is a bit bad but at the same time, loyal."

Going on to talk about what MI5 were looking for in their recruits, he says: "There's a type they were looking for in my day and I fitted perfectly: Separated early from the nest, boarding school, but looking for institutional embrace. I can see my own life still as a succession of embraces and escapes."

You can watch the clip for yourself below:

The new film draws on le Carré’s bestselling memoir The Pigeon Tunnel: Stories from My Life and will provide viewers with unprecedented access into his life and some of the lesser-known parts of his astonishing story.

The Pigeon Tunnel is being helmed by Academy Award-winning documentarian Errol Morris (The Fog of War) and The Ink Factory (The Night Manager), with David's sons, Simon and Stephen Cornwell, also serving as producers.

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Speaking about the documentary chronicling their father's life, they said: “Full of deep insight, and surprising, amusing and often profoundly moving anecdotes, The Pigeon Tunnel charts a conversation between two great minds, both consummate storytellers; one who wove extraordinary fiction from the events he experienced; the other whose interrogation of those events has led so often to a greater truth.

"Together, they explore the events of the Cold War, and of le Carré’s life, testing the boundaries of truth, memory and imagination.

"The layered and unorthodox film is a tête-à-tête between a filmmaker and a novelist – both masters of their craft – grappling with the roots of the creative process, the power of fiction and our responsibility to the truth.”

Pigeon Tunnel will premiere on 20th October on Apple TV+. Sign-up for Apple TV+ for £6.99.

Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Morgan Cormack, smiling against a lime green background

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.

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