Firth spoke to journalistsafterthefilm's first screening, joined by the film's lead Gary Oldman - who plays George Smiley - and actors John Hurt, BenedictCumberbatchandMark Strong.
Even a sinewy supporting cast, including William Hurt, Max von Sydow, and MarkStrong, cannot banish the question: when the fun drains out of a legend like Robin Hood, what remains?
Still, the cast is expert and formidable, with roles for John Hurt, Tom Hardy, and MarkStrong, and the set decoration is a terrifying reminder of an entire era that devoted itself to brown.