The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (17 Jan. 1993)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (original title)

Shortly after opening an ancient Egyptian tomb, members of an English-American museum expedition start dropping off like flies. Can it truly be the Pharaoh's curse? Poirot travels to Egypt to unravel the mystery.

Director:

Peter Barber-Fleming

Writers:

Agatha Christie (short story "The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb"), Clive Exton (dramatisation)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Captain Hastings
Pauline Moran	...	Miss Lemon
Rolf Saxon	...	Dr. Ames
Olivier Pierre	...	Henry Schneider
Jon Strickland	...	Dr. Fosswell
Bill Bailey	...	Felix Bleibner
Paul Birchard	...	Rupert Bleibner
Simon Cowell-Parker	...	Nigel Harper
Grant Thatcher	...	Sir Guy Willard
Anna Cropper	...	Lady Willard
Mozaffar Shafeie	...	Hassan
Peter Reeves	...	Sir John Willard
Robert Wisdom	...	Waiter (as Bob Wisdom)

Storyline

Hercule Poirot is called upon to solve a series of mysterious deaths that are centered around the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Sir John Willard died moments after he and a group of archaeologists entered an ancient tomb. The expedition's physician, Dr. Ames, concluded it was a heart attack but soon other members begin to die in mysterious circumstances. One dies of blood poisoning from a relatively mild cut while another dies of tetanus. One member who has returned to New York has taken his own life. Rumors are soon circulating that an Egyptian curse is felling all those who desecrated the ancient tomb. Poirot and Captain Hastings set off for Egypt to determine what is happening and who might be behind it.

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Plot Keywords:

murder mystery

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Crime | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

17 January 1993 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Did You Know?

Goofs

Although the episode opens with a newsreel that shows the opening of the tomb, when the scene cuts to the actual opening there is no camera present filming the event.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Newsreader: [voiceover] The pyramids of Egypt, the last surviving of the seven wonders of the world. The latest expedition by famous archaeologist Sir John Willard may soon reveal more of this ancient world's mysteries with the discovery of the tomb of Egyptian king Men-Her-Ra. No doubt there will be rivalry between Doctor Fosswell of the British Museum and Doctor Schneider of the Metropolitan Museum of New York, but keep it friendly, eh, chaps. The local workers' fear of a death curse laid ...

User Reviews

One of the best short story Poirot adaptations

I have always been a fan of the Agatha Christie Poirot series, and The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is a strong example of why. It is very well made, as with all the Poirots, with some of the most gorgeous-looking scenery of any of the episodes, beautiful costumes and photography that is both elegant and cinematic. The music always has been a pleasure, and right from the iconic theme tune to the haunting background music The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is no exception. The script has its usual intelligence, I do agree to some extent that despite the splashes of humour the episode has the tone is quite grim, then in a way the short story was also. The story is still highly intriguing with the pace just right. David Suchet once again is impeccable, and Hugh Fraser and Pauline Moran both do great jobs contrasting with him. The support cast are fine, particularly with Anna Cropper as Lady Willard. The resolution is still interesting, but the way it was done was more effective I felt in the short story.

All in all, one of the better short story Poirot adaptations and of the firth season the best episode was for me between this, The Chocolate Box and The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman. 9/10 Bethany Cox