Merry Christmas, Hercule Poirot

"HALLOWE'EN PARTY" (2010) Review

Many years have passed since I last read Agatha Christie's 1969 novel, "Hallowe'en Party". Although it is not considered one of Christie's better novels, the story possessed a style that struck me as rich and atmospheric. I never forgot it. So, when I learned about ITV's 2010 adaptation of the novel, I could not wait to see it.

Directed door Charles Palmer and adapted door actor Mark Gatiss (who appeared in 2008's "APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH"), "HALLOWE'EN PARTY" begins with mystery auteur Adrianne Oliver visiting a friend named Judith Butler in the small village of...

"CARDS ON THE TABLE" (2005) Review

Most Agatha Christie fans tend to regard movie and televisie adaptations of her novels with a kindly eye. Especially if those adaptations closely followed its literary source. Not all adaptations have done this, including "CARDS ON THE TABLE", ITV's 2005 adaptation of the author's 1936 novel.

I have always wondered how Christie fans regarded "CARDS ON THE TABLE". I suspect many Christie fans would not regard it as a close adaptation of the 1936 novel. Also, the story turned out to be one of those mysteries of the "locked room" variety that many fans sometimes...

"THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD" (2000) Review

As many fans of Agatha Christie are aware, one of her most highly acclaimed and controversial novels is "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd". I had checked the Internet to see how many adaptations had been made from well-regarded tale. I was surprised to learn there were at least seven adaptations, considering its difficult plot twist. The third to the last adaptation proved to be the last adaptation was the 103-minute televisie movie that aired on ITV's "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" in 2000.

"THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD" seemed like your typical Christie novel....

"FIVE LITTLE PIGS" (2003) Review

"FIVE LITTLE PIGS". That is the name of this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1942 novel. Who would have thought that a story with a titel straight from a nursery rhyme would lead me to view it as one of the best screen adaptations of a Christie novel I have ever seen?

I just gave the game away in the last paragraph, did I? I gave my opinion of "FIVE LITTLE PIGS" right off the bat. My recent viewing of "FIVE LITTLE PIGS" made me realize two things – a) it is a well-written and melancholy story with tragic overtones; and b) it is one of the finest Christie...

"MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA" (2001) Review

One can categorize the "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" televisie films into two categories. The ones made between 1989 and 2001, featured the supporting characters Captain Arthur Hasting, Miss citroen (Hercule Poirot), and Chief Inspector Japp. The ones made post-2001 sporadically featured the mystery writer, Adriande Oliver. The very last televisie movie that featured Poirot's close friend, Hastings, turned out to be 2001's "MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA".

Based upon Agatha Christie's 1936 novel, "MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA" told of Hercule Poirot's investigation into the...

"MRS. McGINTY'S DEAD" (2008) Review

Since it first aired on television, I must admit that I have paid scant attention to "MRS. McGINTY'S DEAD", ITV's 2008 adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1952 novel. I find this amazing, since the novel has always been a favoriete of mine. I am not claiming that the 2008 movie is terrible. I was simply distracted door other matters during my last two viewings. This third viewing proved to be the charmed and I finally was able to ascertain the movie's quality.

Unlike its literary source, "MRS. McGINTY'S DEAD" was not set in the early 1950s. Because the television...

"PERIL AT END HOUSE" (1990) Review

I just realized something. I have never read Agatha Christie's 1932 novel, "Peril at End House". I find this ironic, considering that I have seen the 1990 televisie movie adaptation of this novel at least three of four times. One of these days, I will get around to reading Christie's novel and comparing it to the televisie adaptation. Right now, I am going to focus on the latter.

Directed door Renny Rye and adapted door Clive Exton, "PERIL AT END HOUSE" is the first full-length televisie movie aired on "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT". It is also about Belgian-born...