Very good !
The other reviewer is partially correct inasmuch as Zoe Wanamaker , Elaine Paige and Geraldine McEwan do a first class job . One must not forget that Robert Pugh is excellent in his role too ! It is impressive that they managed to do this novel in 90 or so minutes when the Joan Hickson one was a three parter if memory serve me right . This adaptation is pretty cliched as lesbianism which is hinted at in the original novel & the Joan Hickson version is much more blatant in the Geraldine McEwan adaptation . This in your face approach confirms what the intelligent reader and/or viewer could have worked out for themselves . The location & the script are both spot on as is the casting - it has a great deal of drama and pace and so is a stunning piece of television . They capture the period excellently and as such this is a brave attempt to update what Joan Hickson did so well . Other than the failure to handle the lesbian subtext more tactfully this is well worth watching ! At least they do not compound that error by having an upsetting public hanging at the end . By the way John Castle should have been brought back as Inspector Craddock - the modernisation of that part is just rude & stupid ! It reflects I think the way in which society has got coarser since Joan Hickson packed it in as Miss Marple in 1992 . You expect gross rudeness from Slack but Craddock being Aunt Jane's nephew in the books is far more sensitive and has more depth as a character than this adaptation depicts . I do not blame the actor one bit - he can only play the part as written and it is a rare blot on the reputation of the screen play writer of an otherwise excellent adaptaion of a first class Agatha Christie novel .

THE BEST CHRISTIE ADAPTATION EVER SEEN!!!
Excellent,excellent, excellent.One of these rare cases when everything is good:moving, intense acting, a great supersleuth against a grand murderer, perfect, enthralling direction, a marvellous screenplay with deep insight of every character, a musical score magic and hypnotical .Christie treated as a classic masterpiece,as she deserves to be. And the great three(McEwan, Wanamaker and Elaine Page) add to the story a personal,outstanding mark.The past edition was a splendid treat.This edition is a DELIGHT,pure and simple delight!

Hide Reviews