Poirot (TV Series) The Yellow Iris (1993) User Reviews

Poirot in Buenos Aires

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 26 October 2014]

Poirot tells Miss Lemon and Hastings that there was a murder he never solved in "The Yellow Iris." The story is prompted by the opening of a new restaurant, and a delivery of yellow irises. A restaurant of that name and irises were involved in the case, which took place two years earlier when Poirot went to visit Hastings on his ranch in Argentina.

Poirot found himself stranded in Buenos Aires during a military coup. While he is out to dinner, a woman named Iris Russell was poisoned at her table. Cyanide was found in her purse, and it is ruled a suicide. Her husband vehemently disagrees. Poirot begins an investigation, but he is deported.

Now, in London, Iris' husband has set the stage again in order to unmask the murderer, with everyone present at the dinner invited to another dinner. Poirot decides that he will be present and this time, catch the killer.

Good mystery, using a device Christie used in a couple of other stories, if memory serves. The tone of the episode is serious. I prefer the episodes that have a little humor in them, which the early ones with Miss Lemon and Hastings often had. However, this was still good. Love the production values and the cast, especially Suchet. How can any actor ever follow him as Poirot?

I've forgotten you, I never think of you......

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 19 December 2016]

The Yellow Iris is without a doubt one of the neatest short stories, it boasts interesting characters, a clever plot, an audacious killer, and a solution that relies on a somewhat stretched imagination.

In terms of direction this episode is an utter triumph, it looks glorious, the sets are very decadent, even the Argentine interiors are believable. The music is glorious throughout, it plays a huge part in adding atmosphere, both female vocalists are excellent.

Beautifully acted as always, Suchet is wonderful as always, but it's the brilliance of David Troughton that steals the episode for me.

Superior to both versions of Sparkling Cyanide, perhaps this episode would have worked better over a 90 minute format, but on the whole it's one of my favourites. 9/10

Poirot solves his rare unsolved case from the past

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 19 February 2018]

This episode of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot has the master sleuth solving a murder that had gone unsolved in the past. But, not through any fault of his own, as Poirot explains to Captain Hastings and Miss Lemon. The film then shows the first murder in a flashback story.

The intrigue in this one moves between England and Argentina - or, "The Argentine" as it was called in England at the time. And that was during the years of heavy unrest and revolution in that South American country. Other things are at play here as well. Government fraud and corruption, swindles, larceny and other crooked dealings are in the mix. But in the end, Poirot catches the culprit.

Inspector Japp is missing from this episode, but Captain Hastings and Miss Lemon bring their light touches and camaraderie to Poirot's pursuits. A bit more intriguing than most, this film also is somewhat beguiling for the two locations thousands of miles apart. David Suchet shines once again as the super sleuth, Hercule Poirot.

Here are some favorite light lines from the film.

Captain Hastings, "Is there anything in the English cuisine that you like Poirot?" Hercule Poirot, "The English, they do not have a cuisine, my friend. They have only the food." Captain Hastings, "Oh, that's a little bit harsh." Hercule Poirot, "Like the meat overcooked. The vegetables too soft. The cheese inedible. And the day the English create their own wines is the day I return home to Belgium."

Captain Hastings, "An Italian with a French restaurant in South America?"

Miss Lemon, "I don't like you going to this restaurant, Mr. Poirot. It could be dangerous." Hercule Poirot, "Ah, but when Poirot himself is involved, he too is dangerous, Miss Lemon."

Don't cry for me Argentina

[safenoe · 8/10 · 21 August 2020]

Here Poirot revisits a case from his time in Argentina, and it's a bit cat and mouse, with a fake death at the end to smoke out the culprit. I love the scene where Poirot enjoys fish and chips.

It's hard to believe this episode was filmed nearly 30 years ago, but still timeless.

One of the Best

[Littlelep · 4 February 2019]

I find myself drawn to this episode more often than any of the others. It has the perfect acting of Suchet, as usual, plus interesting characters, actors, and most of all, music.

It is that music that, after all these years of watching, suddenly hit me as incongruous. The restaurant scenes take place in what is described as French establishments, which, despite their physical locations, would have had French, not Latin, music. That faux pas was more acceptable in the Argentine; but the connection with the Argentine probably would not have traveled to London.

Superb adaptation of a Christie short story with a strong emotional centre to it.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 10/10 · 31 August 2023]

Hercule Poirot is alarmed when he receives a yellow iris from an anonymous person. He tells a puzzled Captain Hastings and Miss Lemon about how it reminds him of a case that he could not solve. It happened in Buenos Aires, Argentina, against the backdrop of a military coup against the government. Barton Russell (played by David Troughton) and his business partner Stephen Carter (played by Hugh Ross) had struck a deal to excavate oil in the country. Poirot had observed tension between Iris Russell (played by Robin McCaffrey), the wealthy daughter of a British Labour Party peer and Barton's wife; her sister Pauline Wetherby (played by Geraldine Sommerville) and her boyfriend, a journalist called Anthony Chapell (played by Dorian Healy) and Carter. That night the five had dined at a restaurant where a vase of yellow irises had sat on their table. After drinking a toast, Iris collapsed and died as a result of her champagne being laced with cyanide. It was deemed to be suicide since a phial of the poison was discovered in her handbag. But, before Poirot could investigate, he was arrested by General Pereira's (played by Stefan Gryff) men and deported from the country. Poirot is further alarmed when he finds out that Barton is to hold another dinner party at the same restaurant, which has reopened in London under the same proprietor with the people who were present on that fatal night back in Argentina. Convinced that another death will occur, Poirot attends the dinner party and, sure enough, Pauline dies as a result of drinking champagne laced with cyanide. Poirot is convinced that both deaths were murder and sets out to trap the culprit...

A superb adaptation of Agatha Christie's short story, which is graced by fine performances by the entire cast. It is set against the backdrop of military coups, political intrigue, fraud and dodgy dealings in the world of oil excavation. There is a strong emotional element to this story since Poirot is revisiting an old case that he had been unable to solve due to circumstances beyond his control. It is ably directed by Peter Barber Fleming who also made the entertaining The Adventure Of The Egyptian Tomb. His visual flair is often in evidence, especially at the denouement where Poirot presents the solution of the case to the assembled suspects and uses a clever ruse to demonstrate how a daring crime was committed with utter simplicity. There is some amusing comedy between David Suchet's Poirot and Hugh Fraser's Captain Hastings. Poirot tells him that England has no cuisine - only food - and when the country starts making its own wines it will be the day he returns to Belgium. Then, at the climax, he asks Hastings to take him to a place where he will be able to eat late at night. He takes him to a fish and chip van and while he pretends not to like it in front of his friend we can see that he actually loves it.

Interesting 'test'

[Iain-215 · 6/10 · 26 May 2008]

'Yellow Iris' is interesting for being, more or less, an early version of the novel 'Sparkling Cyanide'. The viewer is not especially likely to work out the murderer (or the exact motive) in the novel from watching this episode but there are some very strong similarities. It's a while since I read this short story but I'm fairly certain that the Argentine complications were written in just for the adaptation. It doesn't hinder the basic story which is intriguing and, on the whole, well acted. Iris, in this story seems a rather more upright and sympathetic character than her counterpart Rosemary in the novel; the younger sister role is almost exactly the same!

The solution does involve a very unlikely 'mass distraction' (twice) but is no less satisfying than many of Christie's more unlikely endings.

Poirot and the unsolved case

[grantss · 7/10 · 24 August 2016]

In mentioning a new restaurant in London, Hastings reminds Poirot of his only unsolved case. Two years ago he was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at a restaurant of the same name, when a woman at a nearby table, Iris Russell, died of cyanide poisoning. It looked like suicide, but Poirot believed it was murder. However, before he able to investigate her death he was deported from the country - Argentina was in the middle of a coup and Poirot was persona non grata. The London restaurant's name is not a coincidence and Poirot now has a chance to reopen his investigation.

Reasonably interesting and intriguing. The fact that the murder occurs two years earlier and in another country makes it even more unique.

However, the conclusion isn't entirely satisfactory. The murder method just seems a bit implausible.

Still quite interesting though

Very interesting

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 8 March 2011]

The Yellow Iris is a very interesting, albeit not entirely successful, adaptation. It does maintain the spirit of the story, which is a well-written and fun one with some parallels to Sparkling Cyanide in the means of the killing, and while I would have liked the pace to have steadied a little and one or two of the characters more drawn out, I really liked The Yelloe Iris overall.

The final solution is very much like the episode, very interesting if not exactly ingenious. The production values are top notch, with some gorgeous scenery and costumes and I loved the photography, and the music is both beautiful and haunting. The dialogue is excellent, the direction is good and the cast are top drawer, David Suchet is an outstanding Poirot and he is supported very well by Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran and David Troughton.

All in all, a good and interesting episode without being one of the best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

A good episode!

[borgolarici · 7/10 · 3 March 2022]

Personally, I think this is one of the most entertaining episode of the Poirot saga. The case isn't necessarily the most clever but the brief Argentinian escapade at the start is a refreshing change and breaks the monotony a bit.

The Yellow Iris

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 22 December 2017]

The adaptation of The Yellow Iris sees Poirot recounting to Hastings a tale of an unsolved murder in Argentina two years earlier. The opening of a new restaurant in London whose name reminds him of the past events, allows Poirot another opportunity to solve the case.

In the midst of a military coup Poirot was on his way to see Hastings in his ranch in Argentina. In a Buenos Aires restaurant he finds a lady called Iris has been poisoned over dinner. A bottle of cyanide was found in her purse and it was ruled as suicide. Poirot was suddenly deported before he could complete his investigations.

Poirot makes himself available at the restaurant in London as Iris's husband invites those who were present in Argentina back. Poirot fears another murder could take place.

The reveal here might be far fetched but I quickly gathered that it influenced in some ways the opening episode of the modern Sherlock series.

"The English they do not have a cuisine, my friend, they have only the food."

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 14 August 2015]

On the same day Poirot reads about a new restaurant opening, he receives a mysterious yellow iris. He is immediately reminded of a case he was unable to solve in Argentina. A woman died of cyanide poisoning at table decorated with yellow irises in a restaurant of the same name. The police ruled it a suicide, but Poirot was forced out of the country before he could investigate. Now, exactly two years later, Poirot is concerned that another murder is about to take place. But he plans to be there to not only put a stop to the new murder, but also solve the old one.

Overall, The Yellow Iris is an enjoyable enough Poirot episode. The production values are first-rate. Sets, costuming, music, and lighting are dead on giving the whole production a wonderful atmosphere. The acting is quite nice. Suchet is as good as ever. The supporting cast in this one is more than capable with Dorian Healy being the real standout for me. The pacing does stutter a little with the Argentine flashbacks slowing down the proceedings more than it should. Much of this back-story was unnecessary to the plot. Still, in a way it was relatively interesting. This is not meant as a criticism, but the reenactment of the tragic dinner scene felt a bit morose, as I'm sure it was meant. To repeat what I wrote at the start of this paragraph, it's an enjoyable enough episode.

I always seem to have something negative to say and that's no different in The Yellow Iris. The murder took real guts and luck to pull off. So, I can't see even the most brazen of murderers attempting it twice. Not with Poirot sitting directly beside the intended target.

Iris Gets The Blues

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 1 June 2014]

Poirot is invited by Hastings to the opening of a new French restaurant run by an Italian, and the same day he receives a single yellow iris, perhaps some kind of hint or plea for help.

The detective is puzzled and upset because two years earlier, in Buenos Aires, he dined at a restaurant with the same name, run by the same Italian, and observed some nearby diners whose table was decorated with yellow irises instead of the English rose. The host at the other table asks the five or six guests to raise their glasses in a toast to his lovely wife, Iris, upon drinking which Iris drops dead. I know. It's Cloud Cuckoo Land, but all of Poirot's mysteries are.

With misgivings mixed with curiosity, Poirot and Hastings go to dinner. Yes, it's the same French restaurant under the same name, run by the same Italian, and at another table are the same guests that Poirot observed in Argentina. And again somebody drinks a toast and drops dead.

The murder is solved by minor clues, a kind of theatrical performance, a lot of cogitation and coincidence, and the usual motive -- money. There's nothing really exceptional about it except for the restaging of the original murder. The context of the first crime are convincing enough but seem laid on as an afterthought. No need, really, for that excursion into the corrupt political milieu of Latin America.

But never mind. It's diverting.