The Double Clue (10 Feb. 1991)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" The Double Clue (original title)

Poirot helps Chief Inspector Japp try to find a jewel thief, but is sidetracked when a bewitching Russian countess arrives on the scene.

Director:

Andrew Piddington

Writer:

Anthony Horowitz (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson	...	Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran	...	Miss Lemon
Kika Markham	...	Countess Vera Rossakoff
David Lyon	...	Marcus Hardman
David Bamber	...	Bernard Parker
Charmian May	...	Lady Runcorn
Nicholas Selby	...	Mr Johnstone
Michael Packer	...	Redfern
William Chubb	...	Blake
Mark Fletcher	...	Constable
William Osborne	...	Receptionist
Meriel Dickinson	...	Katherine Bird
Yitkin Seow	...	Nacora

Storyline

Chief Inspector Japp, afraid that he will soon find himself unemployed, needs Poirot's assistance in solving a string of jewel robberies. Japp is under intense pressure to catch the thief but Poirot counsels patience. When the jewel thief strikes again, Poirot and Captain Hastings go to the home of Marcus Hardman, a jewelry collector from whom an emerald necklace was stolen. Poirot is apparently quite taken with the exiled Russian Countess Vera Rossakoff and to Japp's great consternation, days pass with no progress in the case. With the famous detective otherwise occupied, Hastings and Miss Lemon decide to investigate on their own. Poirot however knows well who the criminal is.

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Plot Keywords:

murder mystery

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1991 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Studios, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITV Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Receptionist: Good evening, Countess. It's an honour to have you with us again. Your usual suite is ready.

User Reviews

Poirot in love?

Inspector Japp has a serious problem: a series of jewelry robberies in the high society circles of England have made his superiors order a quick arrest, or else his career may be in danger. So Japp turns to Poirot for help. Poirot begins investigating the matter, but when he meets a Russian countess who was at the party where the last theft took place, he is so dazzled by her that he almost forgets his other tasks. Or does he? Captain Hastings and Miss Lemon think so, and decide to do a little investigating on their own.

Not one of the greatest Agatha Christie mysteries by any means: Poirot does barely any detecting (and he still solves the case), the title is "Double Clue" and indeed no more than 2 or 3 clues are given to the viewer. However, some unusual elements (the main "hook" is Poirot's infatuation with a woman, who is also a foreigner like him) make this episode worth watching. (***)