Ah, our little gray cells are ready to be put to the test as Hercule Poirot once again graces our screen in two new adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels. For who can surpass Poirot in gathering the clues and solving the case?
For many of us David Suchet IS Hercule Poirot, and what a treat to have these newly adapted and filmed adventures in which to watch his masterful portrayal of the world’s most famous Belgian detective. Beginning with Mrs. McGinty’s Dead Hercule Poirot is called in to try and prove a young man’s innocence to keep him from hanging for a murder he didn’t commit.
Poirot goes to the scene of the murder and finds that there are many who might not wish the best for Mrs. McGinty. He is aided in his search for the truth by his old friend the mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver (Zoe Wanamaker). This lively lady whose sometimes helpful, sometimes annoying leads just may uncover the secret that is so desperately protected, will be Poirot’s only ally in an adventure where he nearly loses everything.
Other guest stars include Joe Absolom, Richard Hope, Paul Rhys, Amanda Root, Sian Phillips and Emma Amos. Mrs. McGinty is presented on single disc in widescreen format, with a running time of 93 minutes.
Cat Among the Pigeons is the second feature in the set. Who would expect a proper private girls school to be the sight of a gruesome murder? Certainly not its headmistress Miss Bullstrode (Harriet Walter) as her school has students from the finest families, some even royalty. While the outside world is fraught with unrest and problems, Meadowbank School is a haven of learning and gentility, or is it?
There seem to be tempers, and secrets, jealousies and ill will, all hidden under a thin veneer of civilized behavior. It is a good thing that Miss Bullstrode has a friend such as Hercule Poirot to help sort out the mess caused by a murder that rocks the haven to its core.
Guest stars for this episode include Natasha Little, Claire skinner, Susan Wooldridge, Anton Lesser and Katie Leung. Cat Among the Pigeons is presented on single disc in widescreen format with a running time of 93 minutes.
The third disc in this boxed set is an episode of Super Sleuths that is devoted to Hercule Poirot. In 1989 David Suchet first brought Poirot to life on British television. This special examines the popularity of Poirot through interviews with David Suchet, Pauline Moran, Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson.
In this analysis it is said that people don’t tune in to a mystery series just to see who committed the crime, and Hercule Poirot gives them so much more. As an intellect, he can think through the situation, and as a student of human nature, he is able to put the actions with the motive and solve a crime while sitting in a chair simply thinking.
What we love about Poirot is his devotion to detail, he is fussy in his neatness, and yet it is that sense of order that allows his little gray cells to put the clues in line to solve the mystery. Super Sleuths: Poirot is widescreen format with a running time of 47 minutes, and with details and anecdotes that illustrate the appeal of the Poirot series, and should be a great delight to the many fans.
Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Movie Collection - Set 4 is now available for pre-order at Amazon for a July 7th release. As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story