Problem at Sea (19 Feb. 1989)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" Problem at Sea (original title)

Poirot's Mediterranean cruise is disrupted when an unlikeable passenger is found murdered in her stateroom.

Director:

Renny Rye

Writer:

Clive Exton (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Melissa Greenwood

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Captain Hastings
Melissa Greenwood	...	Kitty Mooney
Victoria Hasted	...	Pamela Cregan (as Victoria Hastead)
Roger Hume	...	General Forbes
Ben Aris	...	Captain Fowler
Dorothea Phillips	...	Nelly Morgan
Sheri Shepstone	...	Emily Morgan
Louisa Janes	...	Ismene
John Normington	...	Colonel John Clapperton
Sheila Allen	...	Mrs Clapperton
Ann Firbank	...	Ellie Henderson
James Ottaway	...	Mr Russell
Geoffrey Beevers	...	Mr Tolliver
Caroline John	...	Mrs Tolliver

Storyline

While on a Mediterranean cruise, Poirot is asked to investigate the murder of one of the passengers, Mrs. Clapperton who is found stabbed in the chest in her stateroom. She was somewhat haughty and generally disliked by the other passengers. Her henpecked husband, Colonel Clapperton, was ashore for the entire day with two other passengers. General Forbes, who admits to having been in love with the dead woman when they knew each other many years before, says he was having a nap. Then there is Miss Ellie Henderson, who is attracted to Colonel Clapperton but whose wife is in the way of any possible relationship. With everyone having a reasonable alibi, it is left to Poirot to find the killer.

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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:

19 February 1989 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Studios, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Captain Hastings: The whole art of clay pigeon shooting lies in the timing. Trick is, when I say "Pull"...
[Pamela pulls the release]
Captain Hastings: No.
[He shoots twice]
Captain Hastings: Sorry. My fault, should have warned you there.
Pamela Cregan: Weren't you ready?
Captain Hastings: No no, it's all right.

User Reviews

All at sea with Hercule Poirot

Problem at Sea is not one of my favourites of the series, but it is still a well made and interesting episode. Beautifully photographed with splendid costumes and scenery and an evocative atmosphere, Problem at Sea also has a music score that further adds to the mood, intelligent, sometimes funny, sometimes tense writing and a story that while taking some time to get going held my attention right up to I feel the pretty ingenious if slightly gimmicky final solution. The acting is as good as can be, with David Suchet continuing to impress as the dapper detective and Hugh Fraser suitably amusing and naive. Of the support cast, who in general are solid if never always standing out in the way Suchet and Fraser do, Sheila Allen delights as the domineering Mrs Clapperton. Overall, a good interesting episode if not one of the best of the series. 8/10 Bethany Cox