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Agatha Christie's Marple

By the Pricking of My Thumbs

  • Episode aired Feb 19, 2006
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
S2.E3
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  • E3
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
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Greta Scacchi, Anthony Andrews, and Geraldine McEwan in By the Pricking of My Thumbs (2006)
Agatha Christie's Marple: By The Pricking Of My Thumb
Play trailer1:19
1 Video
3 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Miss Marple joins forces with Tommy and Tuppence Beresford to find the murderer of Tommy's Aunt Ada.Miss Marple joins forces with Tommy and Tuppence Beresford to find the murderer of Tommy's Aunt Ada.Miss Marple joins forces with Tommy and Tuppence Beresford to find the murderer of Tommy's Aunt Ada.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Peter Medak
  • Writers
    • Stewart Harcourt(screenplay)
    • Agatha Christie(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Geraldine McEwan
    • Chloe Pennington
    • Oliver Jordan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Peter Medak
  • Writers
    • Stewart Harcourt(screenplay)
    • Agatha Christie(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Geraldine McEwan
    • Chloe Pennington
    • Oliver Jordan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 37User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Agatha Christie's Marple: By The Pricking Of My Thumb
    Trailer 1:19
    Agatha Christie's Marple: By The Pricking Of My Thumb

    Photos

    Clare Holman in By the Pricking of My Thumbs (2006)
    Greta Scacchi and Geraldine McEwan in By the Pricking of My Thumbs (2006)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Geraldine McEwan
    Geraldine McEwan
    • Miss Marpleas Miss Marple
    Chloe Pennington
    • Young Hannahas Young Hannah
    Oliver Jordan
    • Young Ethanas Young Ethan
    Anthony Andrews
    Anthony Andrews
    • Tommy Beresfordas Tommy Beresford
    Greta Scacchi
    Greta Scacchi
    • Tuppence Beresfordas Tuppence Beresford
    Clare Holman
    Clare Holman
    • Miss Packardas Miss Packard
    Miriam Karlin
    Miriam Karlin
    • Marjorie Moodyas Marjorie Moody
    June Whitfield
    June Whitfield
    • Mrs. Lancasteras Mrs. Lancaster
    Claire Bloom
    Claire Bloom
    • Aunt Adaas Aunt Ada
    • (as Clare Bloom)
    Steven Berkoff
    Steven Berkoff
    • Mr. Ecclesas Mr. Eccles
    Patrick Barlow
    • Mr. Timothyas Mr. Timothy
    O-T Fagbenle
    O-T Fagbenle
    • Chris Murphyas Chris Murphy
    Jody Halse
    Jody Halse
    • Amos Perryas Amos Perry
    Josie Lawrence
    Josie Lawrence
    • Hannah Beresfordas Hannah Beresford
    Michael Maloney
    Michael Maloney
    • Dr. Joshua Watersas Dr. Joshua Waters
    Michelle Ryan
    Michelle Ryan
    • Rose Watersas Rose Waters
    Michael Begley
    • Ethan Maxwellas Ethan Maxwell
    Lia Williams
    Lia Williams
    • Nellie Blighas Nellie Bligh
    • Director
      • Peter Medak
    • Writers
      • Stewart Harcourt(screenplay)
      • Agatha Christie(based on the novel by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Miss Marple does not appear in Agatha Christie's original novel, which was an adventure featuring her other sleuths, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford. In order to make the story part of the Marple series, the time period was moved from post-war to sometime near the end of the war. This conveniently places Tommy still in the military intelligence service abroad, and his part of the story was re-written for Miss Marple.
    • Goofs
      This episode is set somewhere in the late 40s, early 50s (Polo mints were first made in 1948). Miss Marple requests the taxi driver to take them to "the train station". The expression "train station" has only been in common use in the last few years, it's certain Miss Marple would have said "railway station".
    • Quotes

      Tommy Beresford: [Tuppence asks Tommy to drive so she can continue reading her copy of Macbeth. Tommy chuckles in response] I was in Macbeth at my prep school. "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day."

      Tuppence Beresford: [gets in car on passenger side] I heard you were marvelous.

      Tommy Beresford: Who from?

      Tuppence Beresford: You.

      Tommy Beresford: Hmm.

      [gets in car and starts engine]

      Tommy Beresford: "By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes."

    • Crazy credits
      In the closing credits Claire Bloom is misspelled "Clare Bloom". In the opening credits the spelling is correct.
    • Connections
      Version of By the Pricking of My Thumbs (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Unforgettable
      Written by Irving Gordon (uncredited)

      Performed by Nat 'King' Cole (uncredited)

    User reviews37

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Better than the Book
    By the Pricking of my Thumbs is hardly one of Christie's better novels. That's not to say its completely boring or a waste of time. Its quite interesting actually and there are parts which will keep your eyes glued firmly to the page. However, though the premise of this novel is pretty good in an eerie sort of way, it suffers from a mediocre plot structure, too many confusing and meandering sub-plots and clues which don't quite make much sense until they are explained in the end (something which is a strict no-no as far as whodunits are concerned). The novel significantly deviates from the conventional detective story format that Agatha Christie herself perfected. However, a major redeeming factor in this novel are its two likable and lively protagonists, Tommy and Tuppence Beresford.

    Basically, I have just listed down the reasons why the film adaptation is better than the book (quite a rarity as far as film adaptations go!) The film, in contrast to the novel is somewhat more linear and structured in its story-telling. The inclusion of new, varied and interesting characters adds on tremendously to the background. A useless and confusing subplot from the novel is erased and as such there is greater focus on the central macabre plot. However, one aspect of the film which pales in comparison to the novel are the portrayal of the two protagonists Tommy and Tuppence. The actors may have played their parts to perfection and look about the same age the characters must have been in the book, but frankly, I always viewed Tommy and Tuppence as being a bit more youthful and fun in the book, regardless of their chronological age. Instead, in the film, Tommy is portrayed as tough authority figure and cold and distant husband, while Tuppence is the neglected wife who drinks away her sorrows. Furthermore, both characters are largely overshadowed by Miss Marple (who did not appear in the novel). However, one understands as since this film is no more than an episode in the 'Marple' TV series and that Tommy and Tuppence are not really that big brand names to have their independent adaptations, one doesn't mind so much.
    helpful•12
    14
    • sanddragon939
    • Apr 19, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Panna Marple: Dom niespokojnej starosci
    • Filming locations
      • Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Granada
      • WGBH
      • Agatha Christie
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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