The Blue Geranium
- Episode aired Jun 27, 2010
- TV-PG
- 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
A superstitious woman dies of apparent fright after her fate is foretold by a medium, but Miss Marple is convinced of foul play.A superstitious woman dies of apparent fright after her fate is foretold by a medium, but Miss Marple is convinced of foul play.A superstitious woman dies of apparent fright after her fate is foretold by a medium, but Miss Marple is convinced of foul play.
Photos
Kevin McNally
- Detective Somerset
- (as Kevin R. McNally)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Mapledurham Watermill, situated on the River Thames in Oxfordshire, is used as a background in a few scenes and as the subject of one of Hazel's paintings. This mill was also notably used on the cover of Black Sabbath's 1970 self-titled debut album.
- GoofsWhen George and Lewis are outside arguing about George always supporting Lewis, a long shot shows a car pull up from the left. When the camera cuts back to George, the car is in the background facing the other direction. It then returns to its original position in the next shot.
- Quotes
Miss Marple: You can learn so much if you are lucky to see the body.
Featured review
Brilliant, a first-rate adaptation of a great short story
The Marple series has its ups and downs, whereas there have been some clunkers such as At Bertram's Hotel, there have also been some nice surprises such as this, The Blue Geranium. The short story is a great one, very cleverly written with interesting characters and a final solution that would shock and surprise you. This adaptation was just brilliant, it stuck to the story's tone, the story was still clever and interesting and the characters were still wonderful.
First off, I loved the adaptation's tone. I loved the idea that Miss Marple finds she's wrong, I loved the baffling and clever idea of the pink geranium on the wall turning to blue and while there were some entertaining and touching moments- the scene on the bus is beautifully staged- I loved even better the sinister and heart-racing ones too(something that I feel were missing in some of the previous adaptations) especially the beginning which was very atmospheric.
Also, this is faithful to the story, not completely 100% but it actually feels like Agatha Christie. Just for the record, I don't rate harshly on an adaptations when they change any details, but when it goes off the boil with the spirit I am not quite so kind. No fear of that really though, because this adaptation not only works as an adaptation but also on its own terms too.
Those who haven't read the story may find the puzzle of the geranium baffling initially. But I liked that, I liked it that this puzzle made you think deep properly without worrying about a changed detail, an odd camera angle or a stilted line from the script. The final solution is like the story, very clever. In the adaptation, it does get explained very quickly with each explanation going like bang, bang, bang, but what I liked about the writers doing it that way is that while it was quick there was something quite tense about that scene, and I can't quite put my finger on what made it so tense.
On its own terms, the adaptation works marvellously. It goes briskly, yet all is explained very well, the script is first-rate, actually the script was quite possibly the best it's been in a while now, and the direction is adept. The production values are superb, with the photography skillful and the scenery and costumes charming. The music is both haunting and beautiful. The cast is typically strong- Julia McKenzie once again is a splendid Miss Marple and out of the strong supporting cast Sharon Small really stood out in a chilling, fearless yet also touching performance as Mary, and Toby Stephens was brilliant as George.
All in all, a wonderful adaptation that worked amazingly well even on its own terms. 10/10 Bethany Cox
First off, I loved the adaptation's tone. I loved the idea that Miss Marple finds she's wrong, I loved the baffling and clever idea of the pink geranium on the wall turning to blue and while there were some entertaining and touching moments- the scene on the bus is beautifully staged- I loved even better the sinister and heart-racing ones too(something that I feel were missing in some of the previous adaptations) especially the beginning which was very atmospheric.
Also, this is faithful to the story, not completely 100% but it actually feels like Agatha Christie. Just for the record, I don't rate harshly on an adaptations when they change any details, but when it goes off the boil with the spirit I am not quite so kind. No fear of that really though, because this adaptation not only works as an adaptation but also on its own terms too.
Those who haven't read the story may find the puzzle of the geranium baffling initially. But I liked that, I liked it that this puzzle made you think deep properly without worrying about a changed detail, an odd camera angle or a stilted line from the script. The final solution is like the story, very clever. In the adaptation, it does get explained very quickly with each explanation going like bang, bang, bang, but what I liked about the writers doing it that way is that while it was quick there was something quite tense about that scene, and I can't quite put my finger on what made it so tense.
On its own terms, the adaptation works marvellously. It goes briskly, yet all is explained very well, the script is first-rate, actually the script was quite possibly the best it's been in a while now, and the direction is adept. The production values are superb, with the photography skillful and the scenery and costumes charming. The music is both haunting and beautiful. The cast is typically strong- Julia McKenzie once again is a splendid Miss Marple and out of the strong supporting cast Sharon Small really stood out in a chilling, fearless yet also touching performance as Mary, and Toby Stephens was brilliant as George.
All in all, a wonderful adaptation that worked amazingly well even on its own terms. 10/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•434
- TheLittleSongbird
- Dec 30, 2010
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Blekitne geranium
- Filming locations
- Library, Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, UK(gentlemen's club's reading room)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 27 minutes
- Color
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