cliffsofdover
So, I'm not sure what the original Christie version of this is, I'm going to check that out in my local library, however...this was depressing, sad, and just awful. Yes, I think the acting was good (especially Toby Jones), but golly the ending...no justice, vindication, just depression. I've read a lot of Christie, and I never come away with that feeling. I wasted 2 hours of my life on this...and am bummed out!!!
filmtechnz
If you are going to produce an Agatha Christie play - at least have the decency to keep some resemblance to the original. This was so way off the mark it could have been called The Murder of Madame X or maybe A Month in the life of John Mayhew - and probably no one would have watched it. I hope that Sarah Phelps who adapted this abomination never again gets the chance to destroy what could have been an excellent production. This mini series (as they billed it) seems to go on and on and on - and in almost every scene we are tortured by the hacking cough of Toby Jones. (Mayhew) The scenes get darker and darker, there is no 'build up to a climax' and when the climax should happen the dreary thing drags on for another half an hour. There are no surprises, no courtroom repartee, there is nothing. I thought the performances were also mediocre. I usually like Toby Jones - but he seemed to be almost 'reading his script' as he went through - the other cast members were really no better. And the direction - well the less said the better. But really 90% of the blame goes to Sarah Phelps for her atrocious interpretation of an excellent story.I have given this more thought since writing my original review and am now convinced that this has got to be the most disappointing piece of television I have ever seen. It has also got to be one of the worst BBC shows I have ever had the misfortune to watch.
Parks
I suppose it's a question of taste, and some people may find the BBC adaptations more realistic than the ITV Poirot & Marple adaptations, but I'm afraid both this and last year's "And Then There Were None" just leave me thoroughly depressed.While both have been well-acted and well-directed, there seems to be an insistence on making things as bleak, miserable and depressing as follows, from the coughing-fit sex scene to the muted colours with no really likable characters at all.Perhaps it is wrong to expect stories of murder to be fun. And maybe shows like "Midsomer Murders" cater for the likes of me. I just find it irritating that in order to gain critical respectability, the BBC feels a need to pour a thick layer of dismal over their Christie adaptations. As excellent an actor as Toby Jones is, I found myself longing for Charles Laughton's bombast and energy.And yes, I must admit, I miss the flashy, cartoony ITV Marple series. What a shame the BBC now has the rights to those stories too.
carollaw51-41-56256
I found this version rather gloomy and a bit depressing to say the least.Agatha Christie adaptions are usually quaint ,classy and clever this lacked any of that.And i couldn't see the point in adding unnecessary sex scenes,swear words and hints of lesbianism to do with the maid,what was the point of that other than to try and appeal to a modern audience in which case it fails,as we all prefer Christies original style of writing. Other than that i found the acting very good especially from Toby Jones who like the maid deserved a better ending like in the original 1950s and 1980s versions.These earlier versions were more true to Christies style. After watching this two part series i came away thinking that this has to be an anti-capital punishment version where miscarriages of justice could so easily have been prevented in the past if courts hadnt just relied on circumstantial evidence If this is the point the director was aiming at then it works,other than that i didn't find it comfortable viewing
AD
