In this episode of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, the great man returns to his homeland after 20 years in England. He had fled there when the Germans invaded Belgium early in World War I. Poirot is accompanying his friend, Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Japp who is being installed with great honor in an exclusive Belgian order. Although it's not stated, one gets the impression that it may have been Poirot who recommended Japp for the award. Or, that he at least gave him many kudos.
Japp is the only one of Poirot's frequent supporting characters to be in this film. And, during their stay in Brussels, Poirot tells Japp about a case he had been suppressed from solving while on the Belgian police force. This return enabled him to finally solve the crime. The story has some interesting twists and is intertwined with the actual history of the periods, 1916 and 1936.
And, as others have noted, the location shooting in Antwerp and Flanders is glorious. The producers of this series amaze me frequently with the sets, street scenes and locations they are able to reserve for shooting that look so authentic for that time, and by the costumes and props of the time. Most impressive by far is the array and numbers of automobiles used in the stories. There must be a great supplier of period machines and equipment for movies and TV programs filmed in England.
The cast is exceptional in "The Chocolate Box." And, all of the acting is superb. David Suchet and the entire cast make remarkable switches between their younger and old years. The makeup jobs are excellent. The plot is very interesting. The surprise ending is wonderful and original. Poirot allows justice to seek its own end in this truly remarkable and enjoyable tale.
A favorite line from this film involves Chief Inspector Japp and Hercule Poirot. Japp says, "Yes, but you had her down as a suspect...?" To which, Poirot replies, "Well, even the good chaps can sometimes kill their fellow man, chief inspector."
Japp is the only one of Poirot's frequent supporting characters to be in this film. And, during their stay in Brussels, Poirot tells Japp about a case he had been suppressed from solving while on the Belgian police force. This return enabled him to finally solve the crime. The story has some interesting twists and is intertwined with the actual history of the periods, 1916 and 1936.
And, as others have noted, the location shooting in Antwerp and Flanders is glorious. The producers of this series amaze me frequently with the sets, street scenes and locations they are able to reserve for shooting that look so authentic for that time, and by the costumes and props of the time. Most impressive by far is the array and numbers of automobiles used in the stories. There must be a great supplier of period machines and equipment for movies and TV programs filmed in England.
The cast is exceptional in "The Chocolate Box." And, all of the acting is superb. David Suchet and the entire cast make remarkable switches between their younger and old years. The makeup jobs are excellent. The plot is very interesting. The surprise ending is wonderful and original. Poirot allows justice to seek its own end in this truly remarkable and enjoyable tale.
A favorite line from this film involves Chief Inspector Japp and Hercule Poirot. Japp says, "Yes, but you had her down as a suspect...?" To which, Poirot replies, "Well, even the good chaps can sometimes kill their fellow man, chief inspector."