More than irritating for those who wanted a faithful version of the novel.ġ. Probably very enjoyable for those who have not read the novel. The action takes place over 24 hours, the death of Lady Boynton, Poirot investigating and interrogating, a variety of reactions, the assembly of everyone at the dig, and the explanation of the complexities of what it happened. There is also a mysterious American who has a key role. There is also a colonel who investigates the case and is soon revealed to be investigating a white slave trade. There is the nanny of the children and a mysterious Polish nun, in full habit. There is quite a range of characters, Lord Boynton son (played by Mark Gattis who was to adapt number of murder mysteries for the screen, especially Sherlock), three of Lady Boyntonâ€™s adopted children, a young visiting doctor, a doctor who had given testimony in a case that Poirot had been involved in, an encounter with a travel writer who joins the expedition. Poirot is present, accompanies the group to the dig at an exposition to view the terrain. He has an impossibly arrogant wife who is murdered.

The setting is Syria, 1937, an archaeologist searching for the head of John the Baptist (neglecting that there were already three claimants including one in the mosque in Damascus!). They recommend the adaptation with Peter Ustinov as Poirot.

Devotees of Agatha Christie and her novels were very much dissatisfied by this adaptation, some key characters omitted, other characters introduced as well as themes that were not in the original. This is one of the later films in the television series of adaptations of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot.

Peter Malone's Film Reviews and Resourcesĭavid Suchet, Tim Curry, John Hannah, Elizabeth Mc Govern, Christina Cole, Tom Riley, Cheryl Campbell, Zoe Boyle, Emma Cuniffe, Angela Pleasance, Paul Freeman, Beth Goddard, Christian Mc Kay, Mark Gattis.

Michael Fallon Books and Audio-visual Resources.

St Mary's Towers Retreat Centre, Douglas Park NSW.

Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

An appointment with death poirot