Reel 1665

MASTERPIECE THEATRE (US)

MASTERPIECE THEATRE [20]

MASTERPIECE THEATRE (CC); The series' 18th season begins with a seven-part adaptation of John le Carré's semi-autobiographical novel about Magnus Pym, whose ambivalent relationship with his father shapes a life of espionage. Part 1 begins in England in 1932, when Magnus is an infant. The son of an absent civil servant named Rick (Ray McAnally) and his repressed wife Dorothy (Caroline John), young Magnus (Nicholas and Jonathan Haley) grows up in comfortable circumstances. As for Rick, his comforts include flowing champagne and beautiful women. But one Christmas Eve all that changes abruptly. "Your old man has a temporary problem of liquidity," Rick explains to his son before being headed off by the police. Later, when Magnus goes off to boarding school, his father's influence remains with him; he has inherited from Rick a chameleonlike ability to be all things to all people, and he develops into something of a con man himself. And while his scams occasionally get him into trouble, most often they get him exactly what he wants. Arthur Hopcraft, who wrote the screenplay for "Trinket, Tinker, Soldier, Spy," wrote this screenplay as well. Alex Cox is the series host. Magnus, age 18: Benedict Taylor. Muspole: Andy De La Tour. Syd: Tim Healy. Mahapeace Watermaster: Ian Cufferton. Pierce Loft: Jack Ellis. Aunt Nell: Malyrick Globe. (60 min.)