The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 

Poirot comes out of retirement when his industrialist friend is brutally murdered a short while after a local widow who was suspected of killing her husband commits suicide.

Director:

Andrew Grieve

Writers:

Agatha Christie (based on the novel by), Clive Exton (dramatized by)

Stars:

David Suchet, Philip Jackson, Oliver Ford Davies

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
David Suchet	...	Hercule Poirot
Philip Jackson	...	Chief Inspector Japp
Oliver Ford Davies	...	Dr. Sheppard
Malcolm Terris	...	Roger Ackroyd
Selina Cadell	...	Caroline Sheppard
Daisy Beaumont	...	Ursula Bourne
Flora Montgomery	...	Flora Ackroyd
Nigel Cooke	...	Geoffrey Raymond
Jamie Bamber	...	Ralph Paton
Roger Frost	...	Parker
Vivien Heilbron	...	Mrs. Ackroyd
Gregor Truter	...	Inspector Davis
Rosalind Bailey	...	Mrs. Ferrars
Liz Kettle	...	Mrs. Folliott
Charles Simon	...	Hammond

Storyline

Living quietly in the small village of King's Abbot, sleuth Hercule Poirot becomes involved in the murder of successful industrialist Roger Ackroyd. The number of potential killers is almost as great as the population of the village itself. As Poirot investigates he sees that there might be a connection to the suicide of a local woman, and the death the previous year of her husband.

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Plot Keywords:

journal | doctor | retirement | voice over narration | village | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Did You Know?

Trivia

When perusing the unopened letters from Roger Ackroyd's desk, the top one is from The Hudson's Bay Company, the venerable Canadian retailer.

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Goofs

During a slow right to left tracking shot of Poirot in a Blue Taxi, a very modern, black 2-way radio is lying on the running board of the car under the driver's left hand.

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Quotes

Caroline Sheppard: [referring to Dorothy Ferrars' death from an overdose] I've been thinking about Dottie Ferrars.
Dr. Sheppard: Oh?
Caroline Sheppard: She must have taken the veronal on purpose. Remorse.
Dr. Sheppard: [incredulous] Remorse?
Caroline Sheppard: You never would listen to me last year when I told you how she poisoned that awful husband of hers. This proves it.

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Connections

Referenced in Murder on the Orient Express (2001)

User Reviews

Suchet is always charming as Poirot

Being a an equal member of the reading and watching public, and having more than the average understanding about what goes into bringing any previous work to film, I always approach filmed versions with a grain of salt.

I do not think I have ever been pleased with a depiction of any Agatha Christie novel. For some reason, the endings of these seem to be less than sacrosanct to writers and producers. Do not ask me why.

Also, it is usually very hard for every nuance a writer brings to her work to translate well onto the screen.

Yet, Suchet's charm has always seemed infectious to me. His Belgian eccentricities always make Poirot come alive to me. I may be overstating this for most tastes, yet, I can opine that Suchet has a way of transcending any plot mischiefs or storyline inaccuracies and makes every experience with Poirot a delight.

Such was the case with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. It was finely wrought and delicately portrayed in a way that pleased what little I know of what life was like then. If there was much lacking from the book, all I can say is that I certainly expected it and I adapted to it unbegrudgingly. If I want true and complete Christie every time: I will read her books. They are the true source of this brand of pleasure aren't they?

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 January 2000 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Castle Combe, Wiltshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carnival Film & Television, A+E Networks, Agatha Christie

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 100 min (14 episodes)

Color:

Color