Agatha Christie: Poirot - Season 1 (1989) (season)
Directed by:
Renny RyeScreenplay:
Clive ExtonCinematography:
Peter JessopComposer:
Christopher GunningCast:
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Geoffrey Bateman, Julia Chambers, Dominic Rougier, Patrick Jordan, Carol Frazer, Sandra Freeman (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Poirot is called in to investigate a series of kidnap threats against the three year old son of a wealthy aristocrat. Once installed at Waverly Court, Poirot becomes suspicious about the child's parents - especially when the servants are suddenly dismissed. The absence of a cook forces Poirot and Hastings to look elsewhere for a decent meal which in turn leads to vital information about the planned kidnap. (iTunes)
(more)Reviews (2)
In terms of plot and perpetrator, it is a rather poorer and considerably more predictable Poirot case, who aptly described it as a farce that he was getting tired of. As a result, this is a mediocre whodunit that doesn't have a chance to build enough suspense when it is clear from about halfway through who is behind the "crime".
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It's a bit of a weaker episode, but perhaps only in the conclusion, which I somewhat anticipated. However, the creators nicely revitalized the film with the relationship between Poirot and Hastings, particularly the episode with the car, which is absolutely fantastic. The tension is excellently maintained regarding whether or not a kidnapping will occur, and why. The finale is a bit weaker, but definitely not bad.
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