Agatha Christie's Poirot - Collection 7 [DVD]

As per my review of the precedent Boxed Set (the 6 Collection set, to be specific), in which I already did praise the high quality work of Mr. Suchet in recreating the character of Poirot, practically from scratch, this additional 7th Collection (comprising 2 DVDs with the four last episodes filmed (Mrs. McGinty's Dead / Cat Among Pigeons / Third Girl / Appointment with Death), will certainly not disappoint the viewer. The quality is still the same, if not even more enhanced (especially where ambiance, music and photography are concerned - seemingly, and if I am not mistaken, the same technique applied to Agatha Christie's Marple: The Moving Finger, appears here as well). The "aura", especially in "Third Girl" and "Appointment with Death" is far darker than in previous similar episodes and the mood is really that of a true Thriller, more than just a murder mystery. Everyone does his job well in these episodes, and I do not mean just the actors, but the entire crew as well. Far gone are the "foolish" attempts of the Peter Ustinov's versions, to update and revision the stories. Now, what I am still expecting as the coronation to the series is the one, single episode that could make or break the entire franchise, and those of you, familiar with Poirot's lore, may already know, what I am hinting at. Indeed, "Murder on the Orient Express" is the one I am hinting at. Despite its 1974 successful release, starring Albert Finney as Poirot and an all Star cast, there was something strident that hinted more to Hollywoodiana, than truly taking the subject seriously. It is true that the photography was gorgeous and that the sets were accurate, but Albert Finney was far too fidgety in portraying Poirot and at times appeared to be more of a nervous wreck, rather than the cool-handed and cerebral one, portrayed by David Suchet. I truly hope that the decision will be made to generously finance that particular episode, which I suspect, will turn out to be a made-for-television movie. I also hope that this particular one will put a mark of excellence to the entire series and consecrate therefore the entire franchise as the "definitive" Poirot of all times, recommended for all film makers as a matter of study and for actors, as a reference on how to create a character out of a few details and make it their own. I would immediately give it six or even seven stars, but five is the limit, so I must stick with these. For those who love David Suchet's portrayal, my recommendation is superfluous, for those who have never watched it on TV or have just begun to follow it, know that this is the Poirot to own. Highly recommended.

Re: Appointment with Death The murderer and motive were altered--to explore the tragic lives of this tormented clan under a cruel matriarch--a more family dimension. Why can't they amend this story? It's a film adaptation. Stick to your books if you want to be purists. Even Christie amended Appointment with Death for dramatization--she also rewrote Appointment with Death as a play MINUS Poirot! In other novels to plays, she would change the plot, aware of the impact of different mediums. Likewise, this screenplay adaptation from a novel. On this Series Generally As a whole, these later dramatized stories explore the human dimension--the loss of lives, the consequences on those impacted--these have an emotional toll on Poirot, who has evolved, through years of solving crimes, from interacting with people--Poirot is now older, wiser, more diplomatic, more sympathetic to everyone he deals with. No more just a cat and mouse parlour trick to tease his little grey cells, but all is seen through a glass darkly. As a series, all these episodes are lavishly produced--suberb attention to details--and these changes have been purposefully and carefully done, remaining true to the spirit of the tales, capturing their essence, albeit showing more the emotional devastation on everyone involved. We sympathize with the characters when their sad histories are shown with greater sensitivity. Imagine the money it costs to produce this series--recreate these settings, the far flung locations, the sophisticated cinematography and editing, the work involved in these screenplay adaptations--a true labour of love. I hope Suchet gets further funding to go on to the ultimate Curtain. Definitely worth the money.

I was pleased to find that this collection has subtitles in English / Hard of Hearing.

The production of Poirot movies has reached a new zenith in this series. Having been so comfortable for so long as a spectator, with the old bunch of hastings ,japp and lemon, enjoying excellent, but relatively distant stories , these movies depict life (and crime) on a far more serious, complicated and touching level . Poirot gets older and lonelier,without his friends and without love,and the director succeeds to capture these elements brilliantly .As a viewer you sense Poirot more,feel much closer to him and so he immerses us deeper into the adventure then ever before. Excellent material on this set, a true masterpiece by Agatha and certainly by the makers who do so extremely well putting these stories on screen. David, himself is evolving continuously, an incredibly good actor to whom I can only say (and I wish I could one day !) Chapeau, mon ami,chapeau!

DAS NEUESTE ITV PRODUKTION TRAF VOR DREI TAGEN BEI MIR EIN UND ICH SAH MIR DIE FILME AN DEN 2 DARAUF FOLGENDEN TAGEN AN.DUNKEL UND ETWAS MELANCHOLISCH WIE DIE VORGÄNGER KOMMT DIE NEUE SERIE DAHER.POIROT IST MITTLERWEILE EINE FÜR MICH VÖLLIG ANDERS GEWORDENE FIGUR SEIT DER FERNSEHSERIE-AUCH MIR FEHLEN DIE DREI ALSO HASTINGS LEMMON UND JAPP-DIE SCHAUSPIELER WÄREN BESTIMMT NICHT ABGENEIGT GEWESEN MITZUSPIELEN DENK ICH ABER DAS ENTSCHEIDEN JA BEKANNTLICH ANDERE..... MEIN LIEBLINGSSPIELFILM IST "MC GYNTYS"BESONDERS DIE ANKUNFT DES STADTMENSCHEN POIROT AUF DEM PLATTEN LAND-WIR WISSEN JA WIE SEHR ALLEIN DIE LUFT DEN GRAUEN ZELLEN VON HERCULE SCHADET:-)LEIDER IST KEIN BONUSMATERIAL WIE BEI NR 6 VORHANDEN DAS IST SCHADE.DIE RESTLICHEN 4 STORYS DIE NOCH FEHLEN SOLLEN LAUT ITV 2009 GEDREHT WERDEN(MORD IM ORIENTEXPRESS ECT)UND DANN HAT DAVID DOCH WIRKLICH ALLE POIROT GESCHICHTEN ABGEARBEITET.DAS HAT JEREMY BRETT AUCH GEWOLLT ABER BEKANNTLICH HOLTE IHN JA VORZEITIG GEVATTER TOD.

Die Rezension bezieht sich auf die Folgen "Appointment with Death" und "Third Girl". Ich habe mich zunächst einmal sehr auf die vier neuen Verfilmungen gefreut, bin jetzt allerdings doch ziemlich enttäuscht von den massiven Veränderungen in den beiden genannten Folgen, daß bei einer Verfilmung Änderungen notwendig sind ist klar, auch die Anpassung an die 30ger Jahre ist akzeptabel, aber hier hätte man eigentlich neue Filme mit einem anderen Detektiv drehen können. Ich hoffe, daß die beiden anderen Folgen eine gewisse Entschädigung bieten.