Lord Edgware Dies (19 Feb. 2000)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" Lord Edgware Dies (original title)

A beautiful actress becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her tyrannical husband - except that she has a cast-iron alibi for the night of the crime.

Director:

Brian Farnham

Writers:

Agatha Christie (novel), Anthony Horowitz (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Suchet	...	Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Hastings
Philip Jackson	...	Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran	...	Miss Lemon
Helen Grace	...	Jane Wilkinson
John Castle	...	Lord Edgware
Fiona Allen	...	Carlotta Adams
Dominic Guard	...	Bryan Martin
Deborah Cornelius	...	Penny Driver
Hannah Yelland	...	Geraldine Marsh
Tim Steed	...	Ronald Marsh
Lesley Nightingale	...	Miss Carroll
Christopher Guard	...	Alton
Iain Fraser	...	Donald Ross
Tom Beard	...	Duke of Merton

Storyline

Lady Edgware, the well-known stage actress Jane Wilkinson, has a dilemma in that her husband has consistently refused to give her a divorce. She asks Hercule Poirot to visit the man to see if there is any possibility of convincing him. Lord Edgware is nothing short of nasty, treating all those around him very badly. When he is found dead, there is no great surprise, but there certainly are a good number of suspects. The police believe Lady Edgware to be the culprit, but she has a cast-iron alibi, having attended a private dinner over the time her husband was killed. There is also the man's nephew, who would inherit his fortune, and his personal assistant, whom he treated very badly; and then there is the family butler, who clearly has his own interests at heart.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | remake | detective | murder mystery | private detective | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 2000 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Shoreham Airport, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carnival Films, A&E Television Networks, Agatha Christie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 100 min (14 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dominic Guard and Christopher Guard are brothers in real life.

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Goofs

During the chase on the airport roof (filmed at Shoreham airport) a Cessna Skylane taxis in the background from right to left. Also during the chase a modern TV aerial appears in the sequence.

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Quotes

Poirot: Do not be anxious, madam. All will be arranged. You have my word.

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Connections

Version of Thirteen at Dinner (1985)

User Reviews

"A must see for all fans of classic murder mysteries."

Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) and Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) investigate the brutal killing of hated aristocrat Lord Edgware (John Castle), whom was found stabbed in the neck with a letter opener in his study. Edgware was married to eminent stage actress Jane Wilkenson (Helen Grace) who was asking him for a divorce at the time but he refused it. Jane Wilkenson becomes Chief Inspector Japp's chief suspect in view of this and also because she was admitted into Edgware's house by his manservant around the time of the murder. However, Japp (Philip Jackson) soon realises that this will not be an open and shut case because Jane Wilkenson was at a dinner party and the other guests can vouch for her being there. Meanwhile, Poirot and Hastings have another question to consider. Could the mysterious death of American impersonation actress Carlotta Adams (Fiona Allen) be linked to the death of Lord Edgware?

Lord Edgware Dies is an impeccable entry in ITV's distinguished Poirot franchise. The dramatisation of Agatha Christie's novel by Anthony Horowitz who has contributed many fine scripts for ITV's other money spinner, "Midsomer Murders", is outstanding and every single plot twist runs smoothly into the other. In addition, it follows Agatha Christie's novel very closely. Interestingly, the novel first published in 1933 was filmed in 1934 with Austin Trevor playing Poirot then later as Thirteen At Dinner with Peter Ustinov. Brian Farnham's direction is workmanlike and shows off his considerable skill as a storyteller and the proceedings are much enhanced by Chris O' Dell's elegant cinematography, which complements the impeccable set design and the attention to period detail. Performances as always are first class and there isn't one single miscast part. Suchet, Fraser, Jackson and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon can now play their roles with consummate ease and they are ably supported by John Castle (who played Inspector Craddock in the BBC's Miss Marple series with Joan Hickson) as Edgware and Helen Grace is simply outstanding as Jane Wilkenson.

In summary, it is very difficult to review these films as they are usually of such a high standard that one runs out of new words to use in order to praise them. All in all, Lord Edgware Dies, is a must see for all fans of great murder mysteries and for those who appreciate quality film making that deserves a theatrical release as well as being televised.