Hercule Poirot's Christmas(1 Jan. 1995).When Simeon Lee, a mean-spirited, tyrannical patriarch of a dysfunctional family, summons his offspring to his country manor house in Kent for Christmas, he employs Poirot to attend the reunion. The detective is not given a full explanation for his assignment, but he soon observes the palpable animosity, suspicion, and resentment among the three Lee sons. Also in attendance is the beautiful Pilar Estravados, the only surviving child of Lee's daughter, who recently passed away after living in exile in Spain. The ruthless Senior Lee, who made his fortune in the South African diamond fields, sadistically treats his progeny with deliberate cruelty and obviously relishes pitting one against the other. It comes as no surprise when the old man's throat is mysteriously cut in an apparently locked room, and although he was frail and wheelchair-bound, there appears to be evidence of a great struggle. Poirot is aided in his quest for a solution to the baffling mystery by Chief Inspector Japp and... Written byGabe Taverney (duke1029@aol.com)... Synopsis Hercule Poirot's Christmas(1 Jan. 1995)
Movie Title: Hercule Poirot's Christmas(1 Jan. 1995)
Run Time: 100 min
Rating: 7.9 / 10
Genres: Drama |Mystery |Crime |Thriller
Release Date: 1 January 1995 (UK)
Director: Edward Bennett
Writer: Agatha Christie (novel),Clive Exton (dramatized by)... and other credits
Actor: David Suchet,Philip Jackson,Vernon Dobtcheff
Hercule Poirot's Christmas isn't what I consider the most definitive adaptation in the Agatha Christie Poirot canon, but it is good seasonal fun and a very good adaptation. My only complaints really are the occasionally stodgy pacing and I agree the reveal of the veiled lady was rather unnecessary. I personally had no problem with the final solution. As always, the production values are excellent with the scenery and photography particularly striking and the music is beautiful. The story is well written and is atmospheric and suspenseful, while the writing is excellent in general, likewise with the directing. I had no real qualms with the acting, I wasn't initially sure about Mark Tandy but I am fine with him now. David Suchet as he consistently is is superb as Poirot and Phillip Jackson is a joy as Japp. In the supporting cast, the standouts are (and I concur) Vernon Dobtchef as the chilling and hateful Simeon Lee and Sandra Behar as the beautiful Pilar. Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
