Agatha Christie's Poirot

This particular adaptation has been done before, most memorably with Peter Ustinov as Poirot leading an all-star cast in the 1982 movie of the same name. In that adaptation major plot points remained but the english setting of the story was traded for a fictitious adriatic island and some of the stars (Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, James Mason, Jane Birkin) seemed more intent in overacting. The verbal sparring was amusing and surely scripted. The score was a collage from the Cole Porter songbook and added glamour and decadence.



But here we have the real thing. And the real thing is far more prosaic. Provincial, even. David Suchet is superb as a Poirot refusing to confront his slight overweight problem and events will prove him right in the end - at the expense of Captain Hastings brand new business enterprise. Neither Hastings nor Japp (nor Miss Lemon) featured in Agatha Christies novel - but the interplay between their characters allows character development of the minor players and adds consistency to this by now long running series.

Once at the island no major plot points are changed apart from the inclusion of Hastings amidst the residents (though he is not on a diet, much to the chagrin of Poirot).



The weaknesses stem from stretching this into a tv movie without giving it the corresponding budget. It makes for a much slower pace than is usual and even Poirot seems to take an eternity to share with us what he knows.

For someone who has neither read the novel nor seen the 1982 movie this is still fine and high quality television whodunnit. Others will find fault with deviations from the book or will forever be comparing the casting choices made with the 1982 ones, a thankless endeavour - even there I dare say David Suchet is still far closer to the literary Poirot than the worldly Ustinov ever was. He becomes Poirot. Ustinov as Poirot was still very much Ustinov, even physically.



The original allies of Poirot on the island have been substituted by the loyal Hastings. And it is for Miss Lemon to do a bit of investigating on her own to clinch the thing.

Again, this will not bother the casual viewer. But Poirot tends to attract many purists and has generally satisfied that demanding lot - so if this adaptation is not a let down in terms of acting and production values, it certainly does not stand out as one of the series special achievements.