Although The Clapham Cook was the first to air, it wasn't the first in chronological order (see the fantastic blog The Chronology of Poirot for more details). The Mysterious Affair at Styles, broadcast in 1990 marking the centenary of Agatha Christie's birth, showed us a flashback to Poirot's first case, where he brings a murderer to book with the help of his friend Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp.
In Curtain, an ill and immobilized Poirot returns to Styles Court, the scene of their first murder, as the sharp witted detective is in fear of another murder being committed.
Here is the full ITV description: Confined to a wheelchair and crippled with arthritis, the now elderly Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is reunited with his old companion Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) at the house where it all began.
Styles is the rambling country house where the pair first met 30 years ago, when Poirot was a refugee and Hastings a wounded soldier. It is also the home of their first murder investigation together and is soon to be home to their last.
Since they last met, both have faced tragedy; Hastings is a widower, and Poirot has succumbed to a life-threatening heart condition.
But the great detective’s brain remains as sharp and active as ever, and he tells his loyal friend with utmost certainty that Styles is again harbouring a killer – and it is simply a matter of time before the axe falls once more. The problem is, Poirot does not yet know the identity of murderer or victim, and his disability frustratingly prevents him from acting on his investigative impulses.
Poirot recruits Hastings to be his “eyes and ears”, but as his health deteriorates and their fellow guests begin to fall victim to confounding attacks, Poirot grows increasingly anxious that he may finally have met his match. He must summon the last of his strength and push his “little grey cells” to the very limit, as he battles his ultimate nemesis in his last ever case.
From the description alone, it seems to be such a distinct change from all of the previous episodes. Even last weeks somber film The Labours of Hercules seems to be jovial in appearance. I decided that, however tempting it may be, I won't read Curtain until I've seen the episode so it will be all the more impacting.
The episode itself was filmed first out of the final five as David Suchet didn't want to end his filming with Curtain.
The episode stars Helen Baxendale, Anne Reid, John Standing, Alice Orr-Ewing, Anna Madeley, Philip Glenister and Aidan McArdle. It also features Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings and David Yelland as George. It was adapted by Kevin Elyot, directed by Hattie Macdonald and produced by David Boulter. The score was composed by Christian Henson and Jeff Tessler was the production designer.
Curtain will be broadcast on Wednesday 13th November 2013, 8pm.
David Suchet's documentary Being Poirot will be shown later at 10.35pm
Agatha Christie's Poirot
1989 - 2013
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ReplyDeleteThe irony about Curtain is that the better you know the series, the more difficult it will be to watch. Yet, in an ironic triumph, Poirot does succeed. But he doesn't boast about it. He doesn't find the killing of a man anything to rejoice over. If anything, Poirot was repentant that he had to do it at all and pleads for forgiveness with his dying breath. It had to be done because X was too smart to be cornered by the law. And so... the confrontation between Poirot and X where it looked as though X had it won.
DeleteOn a purely professional point, that's quite the accomplishment for an an actor (Aiden McCardle) to have on his resume. To be the last villain brought down by the great Hercule Poirot . I'd brag about it!