The much-hyped – and deservedly so – big screen adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy has opened at number one at the box office in the UK and Ireland.
The Working Titles film, financed and released by the newly rebranded Studiocanal UK – formerly Optimum – knocked The Inbetweeners into second place, with a £2.8 million opening weekend.
Sales of John le Carré’s novel were also boosted by awareness of the film, featuring an all-star British cast, including Gary Oldman, John Hurt, Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Strong and Tom Hardy.
Studiocanal UK’s Chief Executive Danny Perkins said the outstanding figures were a testament to the quality of the film delivered by Working Title, the tireless support of the cast and crew and the hard work, creativity, skill and passion of his team.
Working Title’s co-chairman, Tim Bevan, said it was very difficult to get films like that made so when they connect with the audience, the success is all the sweeter.
Two of last week’s releases – Friends with Benefits and Jane Eyre – took the third and fourth spots with the Change-Up coming in at number five.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s I Don’t Know How She Does It could manage only sixth place, taking just over half a million pounds.
The entertaining action comedy 30 Minutes or Less took only a quarter of a million in its opening weekend and David Mackenzie’s music festival rom-com You Instead manages less than £7000 from 82 screens, averaging £83 per sceen — compared with Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’s screen average of more than £7000.