Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) and Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) investigate the murder of hated aristocrat Lord Edgware (John Castle), who was found stabbed in the neck with a letter opener in his study. Edgware was married to eminent stage actress Jane Wilkinson (Helen Grace) who was asking him for a divorce at the time, but he refused it. Jane Wilkinson becomes Chief Inspector Japp's chief suspect in view of this and also because she was admitted into Edgware's house by his manservant at around the time of the murder. However, Japp (Philip Jackson) soon realises that this will not be an open and shut case because Jane Wilkinson was at a dinner party in Holborn and the other guests can vouch for her being there. Meanwhile, Poirot and Hastings have another question to consider. Could the mysterious death of Carlotta Adams (Fiona Allen), an actress who specialised in comedy impersonations, be connected to Lord Edgware's murder?
Lord Edgware Dies is an impeccable entry into ITV's distinguished Poirot franchise. The dramatization of Agatha Christie's novel by Anthony Horowitz, who has contributed many fine scripts for ITV's other money spinner, Midsomer Murders, is outstanding and every single plot twist runs smoothly into the other. In addition, it follows Agatha Christie's novel very closely. Interestingly, the novel first published in 1933 was filmed in 1934 with Austin Trevor playing Poirot then later as Thirteen At Dinner with Peter Ustinov. Brian Farnham's direction is workmanlike and shows off his considerable skill as a storyteller and the proceedings are much enhanced by Chris O' Dell's elegant cinematography, which complements the impeccable set design and attention to period detail. Performances as always are first class and there isn't one single miscast part. Suchet, Fraser, Jackson and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon can now play their roles with consummate ease and they are ably supported by John Castle (who played Inspector Craddock in the BBC's Miss Marple series with Joan Hickson) as Edgware and Helen Grace is simply outstanding as Jane Wilkinson.
In summary, it is very difficult to review these films as they are usually of such a high standard that one runs out of new words to use in order to praise them. All in all, Lord Edgware Dies, is a must see for all fans of great murder mysteries and for those who appreciate quality film making that deserves a theatrical release as well as being televised.