# British director John Irvin, of 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,' dies at 86

John Irvin, the British film and television director best known for the acclaimed 1979 adaptation of John le Carré's "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," has died at age 86. His career spanned decades, including films like "Hamburger Hill" and "The Dogs of War." He helped define the look of British spy drama on screen.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/19/john-irvin-dead-british-director-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-hamburger-hill) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:31:11 GMT