Bernard Hepton (Toby Esterhase) - Smiley's People (1982) Discussion

[–] bejasus 16 years ago

I agree. In fact, I think every scene he is in is spot-on. Definitely great:

the scene in his art gallery ("Listen George. . . a creep like Toby")
the scene where Smiley questions whether he thinks the blackmail will work
when they pick up Gregoriev
whenever he talks about Gregorieva!
the interrogation

He's fantastic in this.

Bronagh Gallagher/The Commitments: runner up to Joe Pesci for times f* was said in a movie.

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[–] mac_alain 16 years ago

What sticks in my mind is the scene where they are outside and he is trying to get the "green light" from Smiley for the pick-up of Gregoriev. He is really charged up.

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[–] slatbrad-1 16 years ago

Thinking about Bernard Hepton's portrayal of Toby in TTSS, comparing it with Smiley's People, then bringing in his role in I, Claudius is enough to crown him a superb actor. Then last night I saw his character in the 1971 Michael Caine original of "Get Carter" and I say: this actor can do anything they ask of him.

Cheers for Bernard Hepton!

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[–] Greenteeth 16 years ago

I've read all the Smiley novels several times,and I was a little disappointed in Hepton's portrayal of Toby in "TTSS." He didn't seem foreign enough to me. I know Toby wanted badly to appear to be a thorough Englishman, but in "TTSS" there wasn't enough of the foreigner in him. This changed in "Smiley's People." I thought Hepton was outstanding here. Of course Grigoriev referred to him several times as a Magyar, but even then, Hepton brought out the odd foreign element in Toby's character.

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[–] mac_alain 16 years ago

. . . I was a little disappointed in Hepton's portrayal of Toby in "TTSS." He didn't seem foreign enough to me. I know Toby wanted badly to appear to be a thorough Englishman, but in "TTSS" there wasn't enough of the foreigner in him.

This may have been down to the director's wishes.

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[–] CloudyRosso 15 years ago

I would agree with several postings here on Hepton. I nearly watched TTTS and SP back-to-back. In the latter when Toby's character is brought into the picture I thought that we had two different actors and two different character before me. I was troubled. Is this the Toby of the first drama I asked? The second portrayal certainly has more European qualities than the lamplighter of the first.

As noted Toby was trying to be the Englishman in TTTS, he had escaped the grip of the Continent and now wanted t be a part of the Upper Crust that made the high echelon of the Circus. Now out he could fall back to his more acute self.

But, what a performance!. I have known a few Slavic immigrants in my life, and how they drop or dangle certain English words like "Okay?" into their speech is not done cognitively, its out of habit and for lack of understanding. Hepton used that word skillfully in his characterization of Toby in SP. I was convinced by actions and words that he was the real deal. Bravo!

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. -- Norman Maclean

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[–] bikerpaul68 12 years ago

I agree too. He brilliantly portrays the evolution of Toby's character between the two series. In TTTS it's the weaker side of his personality that we mainly see, but in SP we see his capacity for cruelty. He seems to take a sadistic delight in "burning" Gregoriev.

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[–] Alberto-7 11 years ago

Bernard Hepton as Toby Esterhaze is easily the best part of Smiley`s People. I did not enjoy this mini series as much as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which I consider the best thing ever made for television! in Smiley`s People I thought Esterhaze`s character was very well written and played. Kudos to Bernard Hepton for trying something different in the character.

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[–] sissoed 14 years ago

I add my votes for Bernard Hepton -- his delight in SP about the whole "sting" in Switzerland, and then again in the final scenes. How often do you see a character in any movie who is so happy, sincerely happy, about a professional success -- about doing so well at his job?

Other commenters mention his appearances in other shows -- I would like to add praise for his performances in two Jane Austen adaptations -- an early version of Mansfield Park, where he plays the family patriarch, Sir Thomas Bertram with gravity and genuine care for others, in his own very formal way; and the Kate Beckinsale version of Emma, where he plays her hypochondriac father, Mr. Woodhouse. Kudos to Hepton!

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[–] alfa-16 14 years ago

I love the moment in the cafe, just after Smiley has had the brush off from the Bernese waitress, unable to get his coffee in a glass without an order for schnapps. Toby breezes in, kisses the waitress, exchanges pleasantries with the owner, gets Smiley what he wants and persuades him to have schanpps anyway.

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[–] jonathan-m-stone 14 years ago

Yes I loved Esterhase also.... loved is comment: "Degas, George, is a grey area" whilst blatantly trying to sell a forgery.

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[–] finnegansword 14 years ago

Now, now, jonathan-m-stone, caveat emptor. Buyer beware.........!

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[–] cherns-2 8 years ago

Yes I loved Esterhase also.... loved is comment: "Degas, George, is a grey area" whilst blatantly trying to sell a forgery.

On the contrary, he won't sell George the Degas. Toby affirms that it is genuine, but when George asks if he could theoretically buy it, Toby dodges and deflects.

I think that that scene is one of the greatest I have ever seen. Toby's attempts to get George off the case, his obvious (but unspoken) affection and concern for George, his final insistence that George use him to cover his back, and his admission that "you don't buy a Degas from Signor Bernardi." Just masterful, the writing and the acting.

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[–] justin-893-172036 12 years ago

I agree with all the comments here .. recently I watched some of "Secret Army" and Hepton is amazing as Albert, amazing really dark serious acting .. when he kills an allied airman, it's all believable, (I had forgotten how dark this series is .. it's NOT Allo Allo!).

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[–] bon22 11 years ago

I think Bernard Hepton gave the strongest performance. His character transformed from a sleazy fake art dealer to a reliable operative who orchestrated a successful operation. I, too, loved the Degas line. Wouldn’t buy a second hand car from him.

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] suicidea 10 years ago

It seems impossible not to like Hepton in these two series. I don't know what to add to the praises already given by fellow fans.

In SP, he seems so willing to show his skills, almost as if he wants to prove himself to Smiley firsthand. Although I have to admit, the character seems different than the Toby Esterhase described in the TTSS novel, who is recalled by Peter Guillam to be very cold, snobbish and distant: not necessarily someone you'd hate, but rather someone who's very difficult to like. But the Toby in SP was so likeable, I'd gladly buy a Degas from him, even try to get him to autograph it for me.

Never be complete.

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[–] chester-copperpot-1 10 years ago

That's the point, that the character underwent a change between books/series. The Esterhase of TTSS tried to emulate the stiff upper lip englishman, he was trying to be an English snob and failed spectacularely. And they mocked him for it. The Esterhase of SP is more of his true self, the flamboyant Central European. Rid of his job at The Circus, he's more happy being himself. And it's not that he wants to prove himself to Smiley, he just shows pure joy of doing his job well done. He knows his skill, and he's just happy that someone recognized him for it. It's pure joy, and he can't even hide it.

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