Story
When Rex Fortescue (Kenneth Cranham - Sparkling Cyanide) dies while sitting at his desk in the City, it's determined that he was in fact poisoned. He was married to a much younger wife, Adele (Anna Madeley - Poirot: Curtain) , who now stands to inherit. His son Percival, a partner in the family firm, was a disappointment to him and a daughter, Elaine, hasn't amounted to much. Another son, Lance (Rupert Graves - Sherlock, Scott and Bailey), had a falling out with his father many years before and relocated to East Africa. He suddenly appears soon after his father's death claiming that they had reconciled and been invited by him to return to England with an offer to rejoin the firm. Miss Marple takes a particular interest in the case when her former maid Gladys, now working in the Fortescue household, is also murdered. She soon learns that the elder Fortescue had received veiled threats for some time and that they might have something to do with a long ago business deal that made his initial fortune.
Kevin Elyot's script is very faithful to the original novel (he's one of my favourite Christie adapters - he did a great job with Death on the Nile), and only makes a few minor changes. Miss Henderson is deleted, but she doesn't provide many clues, so her role is added to that of Mrs Mackenzie. Also, Miss Marple is more upset at Gladys' death than in the book, as they have known each other for a number of years.
However, I was shocked when I bought the DVD that it had a rating of 15! This is because of 'infrequent strong sex'! Fortunately, it is very infrequent, but this is, let me remind you, Agatha Christie and there is no reason to 'spice it up' with any sex scenes!
A very entertaining script as well , I like the touches with the Inspector and the chocolates.
Direction, locations, soundtrack
Charles Palmer's direction isn't dark like some of the later episodes of Poirot, but does have some dark elements, such as the discovery of Adele's body and Gladys' murder. There are also some interesting camera angles employed which adds is a welcome addition to the adaption. Some of the locations used are Englefield House (Yew Tree Lodge), Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square (Consolidated Investments) and West Wycombe Park (Pinewood Sanatorium). Dominik Scherrer's soundtrack is very good is this episode, his track Consolidated Investments can be found on YouTube.
Cast and Characters
Julia McKenzie, although this is her first episode, steps into the role as if she has always played it! The opening scene is good where she says goodbye to Gladys, and when she is listening to the wireless and reading the newspaper whilst her hapless made breaks the ornaments. She is very good when she leaves Yew Tree Lodge and says farewell to Pat, knowing that her husband is a triple murderer. When she reads Gladys' letter, and looks at the photograph, Julia McKenzie gives a moving performance. It's a very wise choice as an opening episode for Julia's Miss Marple as she can connect with the characters and feel upset at the death of Gladys.
There are a lot of good guest actors in this one, notably Matthew Macfadyen as Inspector Neele, he's very good as the polite and clever policeman, and remind me somewhat of his role in BBC's Ripper Street.
Rupert Graves plays Lance very well, he manages to be convincingly sly and suave. Helen Baxendale is excellent as the cold and crafty Mary Dove and the late Wendy Richard gives a good, final performance as Mrs Crump.
A great debut performance for Julia McKenzie!
(all pictures ©ITV)
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