The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor (3 Feb. 1991)
"Agatha Christie's Poirot" The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor (original title)

Poirot is drawn into a case where a man is found dead on the grounds of his estate, apparently frightened to death by the spirits that haunt it.

Director:

Renny Rye

Writer:

David Renwick (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser	...	Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson	...	Chief Inspector Japp
Ian McCulloch	...	Jonathan Maltravers
Geraldine Alexander	...	Susan Maltravers
Alastair Duncan	...	Captain Black (as Neil Duncan)
Anita Carey	...	Miss Rawlinson
Desmond Barrit	...	Samuel Naughton
Ralph Watson	...	Danvers
Edward Jewesbury	...	Dr Bernard
Geoffrey Swann	...	Police Sergeant
Hilary Sesta	...	Doctor's Receptionist
David Lloyd	...	Museum Attendant
Pat Keen	...	Civil Defence Organiser
Richard Bebb	...	Newsreader (voice)

Storyline

Having been lured to the village of Marsden Leigh under false pretenses - the local hotel owner is unable to solve the crime in his own manuscript and so invites the detective to solve a "murder" - Poirot and Hastings are asked to look into the death of Mr. Mantravers, owner of the local manor house. The local rumor mill has it that the Marsden Manor is haunted by several ghosts and Mantravers' wife is convinced that her husband was frightened to death. In the end, Poirot initiates a clever ruse to obtain a confession from the murderer.

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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:

3 February 1991 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Studios, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada, London Weekend Television (LWT)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (36 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Danvers: [shoots a rook] Damn pests!
[Jonathan knocks the body of the rook out of the tree, then stumbles and falls]
Susan Maltravers: Jack!
[she runs to him]
Susan Maltravers: I'm here, darling, I'm here.
Jonathan Maltravers: It's all right, Susan. I just stumbled, that's all.

User Reviews

A fine episode to the series

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor isn't my personal favourite but it is one of them. It is very atmospheric and has some funny little things too("Doctor, there is a gentleman outside who seems to be suffering from Hercule Poirot" is one of the funniest moments in a Poirot episode). Plus it is very well made with beautiful production values and fluid photography, almost film-noir-like, and the music is very good. As is the writing and the story is never less than compelling. The direction is good enough, while the acting especially from David Suchet who is yet to give a bad performance as Poirot is excellent. So all in all, a fine episode and one of the best. 9/10 Bethany Cox