According to Le Carré, Philby's career illustrates the "capacity of the British ruling class for reluctant betrayal and polite self-preservation," and that the British secret services are "microcosms of the British condition, of our social attitudes and vanities. In describing Philby, Le Carre wrote that "to the very end, he expected and received the indulgence owing to his moderation, good breeding and boyish, flirtatious charm." American film theorist David Bordwell notes that the description might be applied to Haydon as well.