The Lost Mine (21 Jan. 1990)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" The Lost Mine (original title)

When a Chinese businessman with a map to a long lost silver mine is found dead in Chinatown, Poirot must find the map and killer.

Director:

Edward Bennett

Writers:

Michael Baker (dramatized by), David Renwick (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
Anthony Bate	...	Lord Pearson
Colin Stinton	...	Charles Lester
Barbara Barnes	...	Mrs Lester
James Saxon	...	Reggie Dyer
Vincent Wong	...	Chinaman
Richard Albrecht	...	Lobby Clerk
John Cording	...	Jameson
Gloria Connell	...	Miss Devenish
Julian Firth	...	Bank Teller
Peter Barnes	...	Wilkins
Hi Ching	...	Chow Feng

Storyline

Hercule Poirot is hired by Lord Pearson, who happens to be the head of the bank where Poirot keeps his accounts, to find Mr. Wu Ling who was to have attended a meeting at the bank that morning, but who has disappeared. The missing man was to sell the bank a deed to a silver mine. When the man is found dead, Poirot finds himself searching for a killer. All of the evidence seems to point to an American, Charles Lester, but Poirot finds that to be just a little too convenient. At home, Poirot and Captain Hastings find themselves involved in a vicious game of Monopoly!

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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:

21 January 1990 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Teddington Studios, Teddington, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

While playing Monopoly, a player rolls a 9, then moves his piece eight spaces.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Hastings: Community Chest. You've won second prize in a beauty contest. Collect ten pounds.
Hercule Poirot: Thank you very much, Hastings. It would appear that skill plays but a little part in this game, hein?
Captain Hastings: It's all about skill. What to buy and when. Where to put your property.

User Reviews

A fine episode with an unexpected twist

I have always loved Poirot, and I love The Lost Mine just as much. There are a couple of clues that are so obvious on re-watch that you I agree do wonder how on earth you could've missed first time. But I have to say, that is what I loved about this episode, as well as the fact that it seemed difficult at first, but actually it is really quite simple. The story is very clever and always gripping, with a thrillingly unexpected twist. I also liked seeing how the police worked then, and the scene where Poirot makes his trip to the bank is after from the ending my second favourite scene of the episode. The Lost Mine is technically, sumptuously made with splendid photography and period detail and hauntingly scored, complete with droll, thoughtful writing. The acting is as good as can be, David Suchet I cannot praise enough, he really is the embodiment of the dapper detective. Overall, a really fine episode, one of the stronger earlier episodes to me. 9/10 Bethany Cox