Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Francesca Annis | ... | Lady Frances Derwent | |
John Gielgud | ... | Reverend Jones | |
Bernard Miles | ... | Dr. Thomas | |
Eric Porter | ... | Dr. Nicholson | |
Leigh Lawson | ... | Roger Bassington-ffrench | |
James Warwick | ... | Bobby Jones | |
Madeline Smith | ... | Moira Nicholson | |
Connie Booth | ... | Sylvia Bassington-ffrench | |
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Robert Longden | ... | Badger Beadon |
Doris Hare | ... | Rose Pratt | |
Joan Hickson | ... | Mrs. Rivington | |
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Rowland Davies | ... | Dr. George Arbuthnot |
James Cossins | ... | Henry Bassington-ffrench | |
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Mitzi Rogers | ... | Mrs. Cayman |
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John Pennington | ... | Mr. Cayman |
While out playing golf with his friend Dr. Thomas, Bobby Jones finds a man who has apparently fallen over the side of a cliff onto the seaside rocks below. His dying words are "Why didn't they ask Evans?". The dead man is identified by his sister Mrs. Cayman as Alex Pritchard, who had recently returned to the UK from abroad and was on a walking tour. Bobby and his friend Lady Frances Derwent soon conclude that illicit drugs are at the core of the mystery and suspicion falls on a certain Dr. Nicholson who runs a country clinic for drug addicts. The mystery revolves around a will and numerous false or stolen identities. But just who is Evans and what should he/she have been asked? Written by garykmcd
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? is a scene for scene adaptation of the very good Agatha Christie novel of the same name which runs to 3 hours. It is not paced in the way that most modern movies or television adaptations would be for that reason. Accordingly, it is best watched in one or two sittings. When given half a chance it is great fun.
I've seen this film twice and it improved on the second viewing. The period character of the film, vaguely early '30's, is very good, and the film is chock full of veteran British character actors who give wonderful performances, among the most fun is Sir John Gielgud who plays Bobby, the male lead's father. Even more fun is a completely over the top cameo by Joan Hickson as a Mrs. Rivington. Hickson is of course the epitomal Miss Marple in the '80's and '90's television adaptations, but here she plays a hilarious and empty-headed society hostess to stunningly comic efect.
All in all, a very engaging and faithful dramatization.