Hercule Poirot enjoys his visits to estates and stays at country manors. But, put him in the rural town and local lodging, and he is out of his element. For, Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective is not a country boy. As in some other episodes, when he has to deal with the smells and droppings of animals in the middle of town, Poirot's patience and normally genteel manner are tested in "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor."
This is a fine mystery with much intrigue. But now add a local inn proprietor, Samuel Naughton, who is a writer of mysteries and it's almost too much to ask of Poirot to keep his calm. All is not lost, though because Naughton is a source of information as well as a good-hearted chap who helps lend some comedy to this episode.
Otherwise, it would tend to be dark. Is there haunting at the old manor, as a legend has it? Is there something of the occult that Susan Maltravers encounters? The music in this episode reminds one of the constant threatening undertone in the movie, "Jaws." Poirot solves a murder of a most unique method.
Here are a couple favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the episode film.
Captain Hastings, "Ah, Poirot. Sleep well?" Hercule Poirot, "Like a top, Hastings. I am turning and spinning all of the night."
Innkeeper, Samuel Naughton, "Was the accommodation all right?" Hercule Poirot, "No, Monsieur Naughton. The accommodation was all wrong. The duck feather pillows - I fear the little ducks are still in them."