Miss Marple aids a young mother and son by spiriting them away to the estate of an eccentric botanist, not knowing that it will soon become the scene of murder.
Miss Marple is drawn into a case of intrigue and black magic when a Major who bragged of owning a photo of a murderer dies under mysterious circumstances.
The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn are summoned by a newspaper notice to the house of Letitia Blacklock, anticipating a murder game. But things become too real when someone is shot dead.
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Title: Marple (2004–2013)
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| Series cast summary: | |||
| Geraldine McEwan | ... | Miss Marple 12 episodes, 2004-2007 | |
| Julia McKenzie | ... | Miss Marple 11 episodes, 2008-2013 | |
Based on Dame Agatha Christie's crime novels and short stories, this show followed the adventures of Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living in the quiet little village of St. Mary Mead. During her many visits to friends and relatives in other villages, Miss Marple often stumbles upon mysterious murders which she helps solve. Although the Police are sometimes reluctant to accept Miss Marple's help, her reputation and unparalleled powers of observation eventually win them over. Written by Bai
'Agatha Christie's Marple' is a fantastically directed, wonderfully filmed, all-round SUPERB TV series that retains both the atmosphere and irresistible charm of the author's source material, even when it deviates from the strict plots. As Joanna Lumley says in the 'Behind the Scenes on Series 5', as long as people will read and enjoy things, they will read Agatha Christie, and as long as people watch things, they will enjoy productions of her work. She is one of the best authors to have ever lived. I think it's something of a shame that BBC have regained the rights to her work because ITV and Agatha Christie are a match made in heaven. They nailed it with David Suchet's Poirot and they nailed it with Miss Marple too.
Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie are both phenomenal as Miss Marple. Miss Marple generally has been very well-served by performers over the years. I loved it when the character was played by Margaret Rutherford in the '60s, as I did when she was played by Angela Lansbury in 'The Mirror Crack'd' (although they are incredibly different interpretations!). Every actress brings something different. Geraldine McEwan is our pixie-like, eccentric, but oh-so-loveable Miss Marple (probably the closest to the books) and Julia McKenzie is like your lovely grandma down the road. Whenever I watch one of them, I think, "no, THIS is the best Marple," and then I change my mind when I watch the other.
As I have now finished every single episode, here's a very brief breakdown:
The Body in the Library - amazing. Fantastic. Brilliant. It retains the novel's atmosphere superbly (even after they changed a killer).
The Murder at the Vicarage - wonderful.
4:50 From Paddington - very good.
A Murder is Announced - another wonderful one, with Zoe Wanamaker (or Ariadne Oliver, as I know her) playing Letitia Blacklock.
Sleeping Murder - hmm...not one of the best. A bit of a weird production, with a bizarre addition of a band called the "Funnybones"? Maybe I'll like it on a rewatch.
By The Pricking of my Thumbs - Miss Marple meets Tommy and Tuppence! Fantastic, perfect for Halloween, and very funny.
The Sittaford Mystery - not the best by a long way. Regardless of novelistic accuracy, the film itself is just not great. Enjoyable enough if you're in the mood.
The Moving Finger - brilliant production, one that improves upon the book.
Towards Zero - BRILLIANT. Surprisingly faithful to the source material, even with the addition of Miss Marple.
Nemesis - no. Again, don't care about accuracy, just as a film in its own way it's so weird...maybe this is another I need to watch again.
At Bertram's Hotel - my favourite episode in the whole series. (Yes I've read the book.)
Ordeal By Innocence - good film, with a brilliant performance from Juliet Stevenson.
A Pocket Full of Rye - Julia McKenzie shines in her debut, one that translates the novel almost verbatim.
Murder Is Easy - this is...okay. Very atmospheric and gripping, just not a standout.
They Do It With Mirrors - not one of the best, although it's not one of the best books either.
Why Didn't They Ask Evans? - indefensible. Appalling episode. (That final scene, ridiculous.)
The Pale Horse - fantastic! Julia McKenzie and J.J. Feild are superb, as well as pretty much every other actor.
The Secret of Chimneys - despite bearing no resemblance to the novel whatsoever, a truly phenomenal film which ranks very highly.
The Blue Geranium - an effective and highly enjoyable embellishment of the short story.
The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side - one of the very best episodes; a true and emotionally heartfelt adaptation of the novel.
A Caribbean Mystery - fine. I think this story works a bit better as a book, but it's certainly a decent film.
Greenshaw's Folly - massively convoluted but still good. Not the most memorable or the best though.
Endless Night - a horribly bleak and disturbing one, but then that's not out of keeping with the book. Superb performances and a great adaptation.
Bravo! The only question now is...having loved ITV Marple...do I now need to watch its rival: BBC Marple with Joan Hickson?