Murder by the Book (1987)

Poirot has been murdered! Did Dame Agatha Christie do it?

Director:

Lawrence Gordon Clark

Writer:

Nick Evans (as Nicholas Evans)

Stars:

Peggy Ashcroft, Ian Holm, Richard Wilson

Cast

Cast overview:
Peggy Ashcroft	...	Agatha Christie
Ian Holm	...	Hercule Poirot
Richard Wilson	...	Sir Max Mallowan
Michael Aldridge	...	Edmond Cork
John Atkinson	...	Gardener
Dawn Archibald	...	Sally

Storyline

Dame Agatha Christie's agents propose that it's time for her to publish the manuscript she wrote thirty-five years earlier, a novel in which she finally kills off her most famous creation. And it's not an entirely sad occasion. "That wretched little man", she says. "He's always been so much trouble. How is it Miss Marple has never upset me at all, not ever?" That night, who should appear at her doorstep but the wretched little man himself, Hercule Poirot? The great fictional detective and his creator proceed to play a very Christie-like game of cat and mouse for the manuscript, and for their own lives.

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Plot Keywords:

hercule poirot | detective | turning the tables | private detective | murder | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 1987 (Belgium)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Television South (TVS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Not to be missed by Agatha Christie devotees.

Interesting and offbeat look at Agatha Christie and her decision to 'murder' Poirot, who is on hand to question her motives. Not as good as it sounds, but deserves viewing by the faithful. Ian Holm's interpretation of Poirot fits somewhere between Albert Finney and David Suchet's definitive performance.