Poirot (TV Series) Lord Edgware Dies (2000) User Reviews

Excellent and stays true to the book...only one thing spoils it though

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 2 December 2009]

Lord Edgware Dies was an excellent and intriguing book from the Queen of Crime, and this adaptation is near perfect and is very true in style and in content to it despite a few forgivable liberties. It is a vast improvement over the disappointing Murder of Roger Ackroyd, that is one of Christie's finest works, and like Cards on the Table the adaptation started off well but completely unravelled at the end. I will say what I love about these Poirot adaptations are that they are so well made and acted, especially Five Little Pigs, Sad Cypress, The ABC Murders, Peril at End House and After the Funeral. About Lord Edgware Dies, I have only one complaint of the entire adaptation, and I will say I am not the first person to point it out. At the dinner scene, the idea ideally is that Jane Wilkinson is played by two different actresses(or something along the lines of that). However, it was obvious sadly that in the adaptation, she was played by the same actress. However, putting that qualm aside, the adaptation is stunningly filmed, the sets and locations are wondrous and the costumes are beautiful. Jane Wilkinson's clothes especially are eye popping. Along with Murder in Mesopotamia, Hickory Dickory Dock and (especially) One Two Buckle My Shoe, this has to be the adaptation with the creepiest music. I remember getting jumpy every time I heard a knock on the door, and I admit it I still am. The acting is exceptional, with David Suchet impeccable as Poirot-I know I use this phrase a lot but I can't find any other glowing terms to praise his performances- and Hugh Fraser wonderfully naive as Hastings. Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran both do a great job as Japp and Miss Lemon, and John Castle is suitably odious as Lord Edgware. But Helen Grace was outstanding as Jane Wilkinson, not only she look gorgeous, but she was exactly like I imagined Jane to be. All in all, as Poirot would say, c'est magnifique! And you know what, I prefer it over the Peter Ustinov TV movie, that was good, but lacked the polish of this adaptation, which is by far one of the better ones. 9/10 Bethany Cox.

The old gang are reunited

[grantss · 8/10 · 26 May 2016]

After his short-lived retirement and country living, Hercule Poirot is back in his flat in London. Miss Lemon is back as his assistant. Hastings is back from Argentina, semi-broke after a bad investment decision and sans bride. Chief Inspector Japp is around, so the old gang are reunited, and have a dinner to celebrate. A few days later, Poirot gets drawn into the private lives of curmudgeonly Lord Edgware and his beautiful young actress wife, Jane Wilkinson. Lady Jane wants a divorce and Lord Edgware won't accede to her request. She asks Poirot, as a friend of Lord Edgware, to try to convince him. When Poirot speaks to Lord Edgware it is revealed that he decided to agree a month earlier, and informed Lady Jane of this in writing. Lady Jane says she never received the letter. Later that night, Lord Edgware is murdered, and witnesses say that they saw Lady Jane entering his study around the time of the murder. However, soon hereafter an actress, Carlotta Adams, is found dead in her bed from a drug overdose. Poirot had deduced that she had impersonated Lady Jane that night, but arrived too late to prevent her death. So it looks like Carlotta Adams killed Lord Edgware, but, as Poirot believes it was murder, who killed Carlotta Adams?

Intriguing, as always, with some great twists and turns. One or two implausibilities but a reasonably good plot nonetheless. Great to see Hastings back - his naivety, lack of objectivity with regard to female suspects and accidental crime-solving make him one of my favourite long-term characters in the Hercule Poirot series. After Poirot, of course...

Brilliantly simple and simply brilliant

[gridoon2024 · 9/10 · 18 March 2008]

Lord Edgeware dies: he gets stabbed in the neck, and there are plenty of suspects around. Poirot gets involved in the case, along with his friend Captain Hastings who has just returned from Argentina after a misguided investment.

The reunion of the 4 series regulars (Suchet, Fraser, Jackson and Moran) after a couple of years gives a warm feeling to this episode, but its chief virtue remains Agatha Christie's plot. Her technique here involves a daring double-deception: she takes the obvious truth and camouflages it to the point where you never think of it! But even the little details of the story ("Paris...") are brilliant, and everything gets perfectly explained at the end. Helen Grace gives an astonishing, scene-stealing performance. This is easily in the Top 5 episodes of the series up to this point. (***1/2)

Great Version with only one problem

[Emberweave · 29 September 2004]

This is a great version of Lord Edgeware Dies. John Castle (who appears in several Miss Marples) is still a sexy man at 60, even if Lord Edgeware is such a jerk. The actors are all excellent, although the actress who does impersonations ironically speaks with a terribly unconvincing American accent. She still plays her role very well.

Spoiler Alert!!

I only have one real complaint with this movie. It is obviously much easier to have a double-switch in a book than on film, but the viewer is cheated. When we see the dinner party, we see the real Lady Edgeware sitting at the table, but in the flashback to events that explain the double, we see the impersonating actress. There must have been some way to film the dinner scene where we wouldn't actually see the woman's face. Dubbing with the Lady Edgeware actress' voice would have been fine because the other woman is supposed to be an excellent mimic. The whole story hinges on this deception and since the audience see a different actress in each version of the dinner scene, it smacks of unfair play. This is the only problem, but it's key to the whole plot. Ah well. This is still a great version of the story and all the actors do a wonderful job.

"A must see for all fans of classic murder mysteries."

[jamesraeburn2003 · 10/10 · 11 August 2005]

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.

First rate adaptation.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 28 October 2015]

Looking back over the whole series, I would put this one in my top five list, it is a brilliant adaptation.

This is one of my favourite Poirot novels, it's a brilliant book, this adaptation certainly does it justice. The writing is smart, the music is terrific, and it boasts some lavish production values too. There are some glorious costumes throughout.

Helen Grace is perfect casting for Jane Wilkinson, she was truly first rate, what a beautiful woman. She looks so glamorous throughout. I believe in her character's manipulation of Poirot. Fiona Allen too is such an underrated actress, her impressions were so much fun. Even though John Castle only has a small amount of screen time he is excellent.

I know they cheat at the moment of deception, which did annoy a few fans, but for me it doesn't matter, it doesn't detract from the brilliance of the episode. They could have perhaps shot it in a different way. The ending is a triumph, very dramatic.

We had a four year break, and after The Murder of Roger Ackroyd this felt like a massive return to form, it was great to have the old gang back too. How good to see Japp right for once.

Love it! 10/10

Excellent adaptation of one of Agatha Christie's best novels

[rj_fc · 9/10 · 24 June 2000]

The scenery and costumes in this production are stunning, and the acting, especially by David Suchet as Poirot, is excellent. This version remains very faithful to the novel, and pays great attention to detail. However, one criticism would be the omission of the Duke of Merton's mother, who is an excellent character and should have been included. That aside, this is a wonderful piece of television for mystery fans and nostalgia lovers to relax with.

A favorite Christie novel made into a good episode

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 13 February 2015]

"Lord Edgware Dies" is part of the Poirot starring David Suchet series, but it was also a TV movie with Peter Ustinov and Faye Dunaway called "Thirteen at Dinner." I love both of them; Ustinov created his own character, which was hilarious, while Suchet IS the Christie Poirot. Kind of like Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple and the Marple Christie created. Very different but both good.

This adaptation has a couple of flaws, though the story is enjoyable and well done. I'll be honest and say that after seeing Carlotta Adams' (Fiona Allen) act in the club, I don't know that I'd think she was good at impersonations.

The second flaw is the one that has been mentioned previously; I won't belabor it.

One thing that makes this episode fun is the presence of Miss Lemon, Japp, and Hastings.

Helen Grace is gorgeous as Jane Wilkinson and those clothes -- no expense spared in any of these episodes.

An unforgivable cheat

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 30 April 2007]

Going into a plot summary is a bit tricky with one of these Poirot mysteries. It's difficult to do so without giving away too much. It's hard to know where to stop. I'll just say that in typical Agatha Christie style, there is no shortage of suspects, everyone has a motive, and the victim was so nasty that he almost deserved what he got. Sound familiar?

If it weren't for one key incident in the movie, I would be happy extolling all of the positive aspects of Lord Edwige Dies. I'm sure I would mention the authentic looking sets (at least, authentic to my untrained eye), the attention to detail, the acting, the score, and all of the other aspects that make each and every Poirot installment I've seen special. I'm also sure that I would go out of my way to mention Helen Grace who affected me much in the same manner she did Poirot. And, I'm sure there are other positives I would not doubt list. But, because of an unforgivable flaw, I cannot be positive while writing this. If you don't want to read possible SPOILERS, please skip the rest of this review.

* SPOILER WARNING * Lord Edwige Dies contains one of the biggest cheats I've ever seen. The whole solution to the mystery revolves around Jane Wilkinson being in two places at the same time. It's not physically possible. So, in the solution to the mystery, we see that Jane asked a friend gifted in impersonations to "play" her at a dinner party as part of a joke. The other guests hardly know her so the actress should be able to pull it off. I'm okay with this, but the director commits an unforgivable cheat with the dinner party scene. The Jane Wilkinson we see as an audience at the dinner part is the real Jane Wilkinson. It's not the impostor. Trust me, I went back just to make sure. I cannot believe any director would have thought he could get away with something like this. * END SPOILER *

Agatha Christi shows are always entertaining

[Quicksilver 2 · 9/10 · 16 June 2001]

They are well written stories that carry you along with it. It is great to see the main characters back together again and all actors and actresses do a fine job. The only thing I found, I'll say different, is the American accents. The English have trouble with it just like the Americans have trouble with an English accent. This is a good story and a good representation.

Quicksilver 2

Perfect... except for a single, although fatal flaw

[zeycus · 7/10 · 18 December 2016]

Everything was going smoothly, and the leading actress (Helen Grace) eclipses Poirot himself in this episode. The problem is, the ingenious solution of "how it was done" is in direct contradiction with what the viewer actually saw. Sitting at the dinner table, there is a shot in which we unmistakably identify Helen Grace, and not Carlotta Adams. A pity, just showing her from behind, or slightly out-of-focus, would have done the trick nicely. But as it is, it's straightforward, unforgivable cheating. This is no small point: one of the main points of watching who-dunnits is to try to solve it by yourself. You should be able to assume that the director is being fair.

The final scene with the archetypal presentation of the solution for the crime is specially theatrical, Poirot showing his anger for having fallen under the spell of the murderer. Terrible, how a single shot can spoil the fun.

Poirot comes out of retirement in this tantalizing mystery - with kidney pudding and steak

[SimonJack · 10/10 · 11 June 2019]

Hercule Poirot comes out of retirement in "Lord Edgware Dies." Poirot and Miss Lemon set up his office once again in 56B, Whitehaven Mansions at Sandhurst Square, London W1. Poirot had kept the flat and its furnishings, as we learned in "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd," while he lived in a cottage in the country. He must have had an inkling that retirement and growing of vegetable marrow (summer squash like zucchini) might not suit him when he decided to retire.

Well, after a year in the country and almost being forced back into detective work with Ackroyd's murder, Poirot must have decided that Chief Inspector Japp was right. In that last film, Japp said Poirot wasn't meant to be a "country bumpkin." So, now Poirot is back setting up shop once again. One doesn't know if Miss Lemon gave notice at another place, or if she was currently unemployed at the time, but here she is supervising the reestablishment of Poirot's flat. Her main problem seems to be with the workmen delivering boxes of files. Poirot had kept his flat and furnishings, covered, but apparently had sent his files off to storage somewhere.

Captain Hastings is to arrive at the airport in about an hour. He's returning from Argentina, where he had moved when he got married some time ago. But his wife, Bella, stayed behind to sell their ranch and settle their affairs. They are coming to live in England after Hastings lost most of his capital by investing in a development scam - the Pampas de Fernandez Consolidated Railway.

Poirot has planned dinner for them and Chief Inspector Japp that evening. After many years of putting down English cooking ("the English, they do not have cuisine"), Poirot serves up his own recipe of a dish he discovered in retirement - "the pudding of the steak with the kidneys."

Before and during these events around Poirot, the film sets the stage for the mystery in scenes with some of the other characters. So, with the death of Lord Edgeware imminent, the whole of Hercule Poirot's circle is once again together. And what a humdinger of a mystery Poirot gets to tackle as he resumes work as the world's greatest detective.

This is another ingenious plot by Agatha Christie with delicious twists that leave the super sleuth baffled - and the audience with him - right up to the end. All the clues are there in the story and Dame Agatha is able to spring the final solution as a surprise. One should suspect it as Poirot goes around the room exposing and divulging the events with each character. As I realized who Poirot was about to name, I mused to myself at how clever Agatha Christie was. What a treat and what great entertainment.

Here are some favorite lines from the film.

Captain Hastings, talking about his wife, "We're still as much in love as the day we met." Hercule Poirot, "When, if I remember correctly, you thought her to be guilty of murder, n'est-ce-pas?? Hastings, " Yes, well, since then, I think I've learned what makes women tick." Poirot, "Ah, yes. The ticking of the women. It has always been a mystery to Poirot."

Hercule Poirot, "Tell me, Hastings, what is your opinion of this Jane Wilkinson?" Captain Hastings, "Very attractive." Poirot, "Yes, indeed. But it is the psychology that is of interest to Poirot."

Captain Hastings, "Oh, don't tell me you're falling for her." Hercule Poirot, "No, no, no, Hastings, Poirot does not fall, he observes merely."

Chief Inspector Japp, "It's funny, you know. Here we are, the four of us, all together again. But, of course, there's one thing missing." Miss lemon, "What's that?" Japp, "The body. That's how we normally meet." Hercule Poirot, "No, but it is true." Japp, "Oh, well, never mind, Poirot. As soon as word gets round you're back, I'm sure one will turn up."

Captain Hastings, "I've never thought of women as the manipulative sex. Certainly not in my experience."

Hercule Poirot, to Hastings, "No, you must be my eyes and my nose." Captain Hastings, "Ears." Poirot, "Oui!"

An alternative viewpoint

[jonfrum2000 · 1/10 · 3 October 2009]

This episode of Poirot seems to be very popular with reviewers here. I have to add a negative voice. And voice is the problem, as another commenter has already pointed out. If it was just the American accent that was done poorly, I would understand. I'm sure that British viewers wince when Americans scramble the King's English in all its variations. The problem for me is one that is common to many British productions. The American accent isn't the only problem - it's the American portrayal. The accent is straight out of Miss Kitty from the Saloon in a Hollywood Western, or perhaps the latest episode of Dallas, and the voice - and the character - is always loud, if not buffoonish. If Americans portrayed every upper class Brit as a lisping homosexual, perhaps the problem would be clear to our English friends. Inspector Frost's Americans and no different form those of Poirot - I fear that the problem lies more in the class or person who goes into writing and drama in the UK than in the original authors. In this case, I simply couldn't watch the episode.

Parfaitement agréable! (Perfectly enjoyable!)

[BBB-6 · 11 June 2000]

I have watched Poirot: Lord Edgeware Dies twice now and I have found it terribly, terribly enjoyable. David Suchet really brings the character of Hercule Poirot to life for me. (Fun also to watch the by-play between the single Belgian detective and his now married English friend, Captain Hastings) A very interesting character study and a good lesson on just how much trust one should give to a client. The movie keeps one guessing till the end.

One of the best Suchet Poirots

[Iain-215 · 9/10 · 9 April 2008]

I've not much to add from previous comments. This is a very good adaptation with a really excellent cast and I add to other reviewers' praise for Helen Grace in the role of Jane Wilkinson - surely quite perfect! Suchet is on good form and there are some other excellent performances (eg the always reliable John Castle as the disagreeable Lord Edgware himself). The casting of brothers in two roles was very clever in illustrating an otherwise unlikely plot point.

In my opinion this is easily the best of the earlier Poirot episodes (before the slightly darker style adopted after '5 Little Pigs'). Highly recommended.

A likely story

[keith-moyes-656-481491 · 8/10 · 27 June 2012]

Lord Edgeware Dies is one of Christie's most famous stories. The solution to the mystery is elaborate, ingenious and amusing.

Of course, it doesn't actually work.

Jane Wilkinson wants to kill her husband and comes up with a ruse that will give her an apparently unshakable alibi. She gets Carlotta Adams to impersonate her at a dinner party while she commits the murder.

This might well be possible, because Jane is unknown to most of the guests and even her host has only met her very briefly, and that was many months ago. A skilled impersonator, like Carlotta, might well get away with it. To reduce the risk, Jane telephones Carlotta, to check that the deception has worked, before embarking on her murder attempt.

So far, so good: but from this point onwards it all falls apart.

Firstly, Christie is so focused on the alibi that she gives no thought to the actual murder. It requires Jane to go to her husband's house, sneak up behind him and plunge a dagger into his neck. But how can she know in advance where he will be? What if he had gone to bed or had closed the door to his room? What if he simply heard her coming (it is unlikely that she would get a second chance to stab such a big, robust man)? But that only raises the question of why she chose to stab him in the first place. How can she be sure that a single knife thrust in the neck will result in instant and nearly noiseless death? How can she be sure that she won't sever the jugular and be showered with blood?

Secondly, having committed the crime, she has to hope that Carlotta has managed to maintain the deception through to the end of the dinner party. If she does eventually get rumbled, then Jane is sunk.

Thirdly, she now has to commit a second murder (without an alibi) to cover up the first, which doubles the risk. This second murder requires her to impersonate a Mrs Van Dusen. But the police will immediately want to interview this key witness and her mysterious disappearance will throw additional suspicion on Jane.

Finally, there is a fundamental flaw in the alibi itself.

Carlotta's deception might work because the other guests are, at best, recalling a brief acquaintance from many months ago, but Jane herself must meet these people just a few days after the dinner party. Her whole plan now depends on none of these 12 people spotting that she is not the woman with whom they dined so recently.

Much is made of the fact that the dining room was only lit by candles, but how could Jane know that this would be the case? Even if she did, a candle-lit room may be a bit gloomy but it is not pitch black. It was insanely risky for Jane to trust that nobody would notice that she and Carlotta are in fact two different people. Jane has staked her life on a thousand-to-one chance.

A likely story.

The fact that the central premise of the story does not actually work did not affect my enjoyment of the programme. It was a typically well mounted production with another fine performance by David Suchet. I also recognise that Agatha Christie stories must often be taken with a large pinch of salt. I am happy to do this, but I note that many of her most avid admirers on this site do not seem to see that it is necessary.

PS: Just for the record, the elaborate murder plans in 'Evil under the Sun', 'A Murder is Announced' and 'Death on the Nile' don't work either.

Excellent

[donlessnau-591-637730 · 10/10 · 13 July 2021]

One of the best in the series, maybe THE best. Pretty faithful adaptation of the novel.

A Good Introduction for New Poirot Fans

[dpandlisa · 10/10 · 9 December 2015]

Perhaps you've introduced your young viewer to the murder mystery genre (as we did) via Murder on the Orient Express, the 1974 classic starring Albert Finney and an all-star cast. Then you moved on to Peter Ustinov as Poirot in his best film, Death on the Nile. And now you'd like to start watching the David Suchet version that is currently offered on Netflix (all except for the 13th and final season). If this is the case, then look no further than this excellent episode, which quickly inspired my kids to continue watching the series of outstanding Agatha Christie mysteries.

Lord Edgware Dies is filled with great twists and turns, has multiple murders and moments of suspense AND has my favorite supporting characters, Hastings and the Chief Inspector. I've always preferred the Poirot films that feature Hastings and this one was a sort of reunion for Hugh Fraser in the role. If you're looking for a fun murder mystery - this is it!

One of Dame Agatha's better whodunits

[Jimmy-128 · 6/10 · 10 June 2000]

"Lord Edgware Dies" presents a puzzle that challenge the little grey cells of Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie's most famous and popular detective, and this film adaptation (from PBS' 'Poirot' series) is surprisingly faithful to the novel (down to the murderer's final thought), and much better than the CBS television movie with Peter Ustinov and Faye Dunaway.

David Suchet is a splendid Poirot--if you're reading this in New York in 2000, see him in "Amadeus", because he is brilliant as Salieri. He has the little Belgian's mannerisms so perfectly that it's odd to see him in any other part. Philip Jackson is stolid and sure as Chief Inspector Japp, Poirot's most reliable contact at Scotland Yard, and Hugh Fraser is amusing as Hastings, Poirot's dimwitted partner. The rest of the cast in this installment are likewise excellent.

Now, the nitpicking. First off, there's an extended chase sequence which seems completely unnecessary. Miss Carroll, Lord Edgware's secretary, is much watered down and doesn't have the brisk efficiency she has in the book. The Duke of Merton's battleaxe of a mother is missing completely (a minor point, but it's a shame a character that good is discarded). The presence of Felicity Lemon, Poirot's secretary, is an oddity only to hardcore Christie fans like me--the book was published in 1933, but the character of Miss Lemon was not introduced until 1934, and she didn't go to work for Poirot until 1939.

More serious is one of the clues to the crime--once you've seen the film and read the book, you'll know which one I mean. In the book, it could point to either of two suspects and, if you stretch a bit, a third. In the film, however, the clue has been altered so that it only implicates one suspect.

If you haven't read the book or seen either of the films, here's a tidbit to pique your interest--it doesn't count as a spoiler, since the information is given in the first few chapters/minutes and don't reveal the ending at all. Jane Wilkinson, a famous actress and Baroness Edgware by marriage, is desperate to be rid of her vile husband. She meets Poirot and begs him to get Lord Edgware to grant her a divorce. Otherwise, she will have to "go round in a taxi and bump him off" herself. Poirot agrees, visits Lord Edgware, and is shocked to discover that Lord Edgware has already written to his wife agreeing to a divorce, a message Jane swears she never received. The next day, Lord Edgware is found stabbed to death in his study. The police immediately focus on Jane, since both Lord Edgware's butler and secretary claim to have seen her at the house on the night of the murder.

Unfortunately for the police, and quite fortunately for Jane Wilkinson, she was at a dinner party at the time in question at the other side of London, and was seen by thirteen people.

A flat and uninspired version

[igorlongo · 8/10 · 30 January 2011]

Reviewing after many years the movie,it's quite easy to understand why the last episodes of the older Suchets drove to a complete makeover of the series:the direction is flat and uninspired,sometimes over theatrical and exceedingly slow,the butler's escape-cum-death quite goofy,and the actors'choice quite absurd.Dominic guard as a very bland leading actor (his part would have requested someone more flamboyant like late Nicholas Clay), Tom Beard as an exceedingly jolly and gullible Merton(in the book he was a sort of religious fanatic or zealot),Fiona Allen as the worst impressionist I have ever seen:her impersonations are so bad that they are quite embarrassing and it's impossible to understand why a murderer could have decided to risk his neck on her so-called acting skills.And Hannah Yelland is exceedingly irate for her role,and Lesley Nightingale is a very absurd Miss Carroll.Only Helen Grace and John Castle (apart for the always endearing fixed team of partners in crime) save the day,but very curiously the very maligned Ustinov version is far better acted and directed ,and its pace is far swifter,even if it was shot fifteen years before.No,it's not the worst Poirot (Will or Ackroyd are certainly worst)but it lacks the luster of older episodes like Christmas or Links or Shoe and it seems quite tired,a dinosaur on the edge of extinction: you have the feeling in some way that the joyful but draconian changes of the new part of the series are slowly but inescapably coming.

Lord Edgware Dies

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 22 December 2018]

Lord Edgware Dies sees Miss Lemon, Inspector Japp and Captain Hastings all coming together with Poirot. Hastings has had to leave Argentina after a bad investment has left him penniless.

It is not long before they all find a crime to investigate. Jane Wilkinson is beautiful actress who is married to the obnoxious Lord Edgware. She had engaged Poirot to talk to her husband and get him to agree to a divorce. Lord Edgware tells Poirot that he had agreed to a divorce several weeks earlier and confirmed it in a letter which Jane Wilkinson states she never received.

While Jane Wilkinson is at a dinner party that she only left for a few minutes to take a phone call. Lord Edgware is murdered. There are a lot of suspects, his daughter from his first marriage disliked him. His penniless nephew stands to inherit the title.

However all suspicions lead to Jane Wilkinson. Then there is the visiting mimic from the USA who is putting on a show. She is later found dead. Poirot thinks the mimic was hired to impersonate Jane Wilkinson so she would be framed for her husband's murder.

There is an outrageous twist in the story and I did not think it works. The director also embellishes the twist by cheating the audience in how one scene has been presented.

It is still an enjoyable story, very well made, it look sumptuous like the early Poirot mysteries. At the end though, you are only left with one plausible suspect.

Fenella Woolgar makes a minor appearance as a maid. She would later play Agatha Christie in Doctor Who.

Far better than the first version.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 15 November 2023]

In this Agatha Christie tale, three people are murdered and naturally it's up to Hercule Poirot to figure out who this mass murderer is...as well as why.

Just before watching this 2000 version, I watched the original 1934 version of this story...and although both versions have a lot of similarities, the newer version is significantly better. The most obvious reason is that David Suchet's version of Hercule Poirot is much more like the Agatha Christie character. In the first version, he's very tall, lacks a mustache and really doen't act like Poirot...and Suchet's version is pretty much spot on with the books. Additionally, the acting and script are just more engaging and interesting.

Helen Grace and Jonathan Aris star

[safenoe · 7/10 · 31 July 2020]

Jonathan Aris plays a small yet critical role in this episode. The beautiful Helen Grace (who later guest starred in Rosemary and Thyme) chews the screen, and we're left wondering until the very end who killed Lord Edgware. This episode is the 2nd of two episodes in season 7, four years after season 6. It's not unusual for large gaps between seasons of UK TV series.

S7E2: Lord Edgware Dies: An enjoyable and engaging mystery with a good denouncement (despite one irritant in the presentation) (SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 8 March 2015]

The return of Poirot for a seventh season saw him come out of retirement and make reference to ghosts of his past; fortunately in this episode it seems he has made peace with all of that because he is not only back in the saddle, but back in the old apartment and with Miss Lemon back too – and Hastings on the way back to London following a misjudged investment in a railway. Even Japp pops in to say hello, although, as he observes, it is odd to all meet without a body being involved. Unrelated, Poirot gets asked by a woman to approach her husband (Lord Edgware) to ask for a divorce, although it seems no great task as it turns out he is all too happy to grant one. Reporting the news to Lady Edgware, Poirot finds himself involved much more when Lord Edgware is murdered and all witnesses claim that Lady Edgware was the killer – even though she has an alibi. Never one to turn down a lady, Poirot takes the case only to find no end of those with motive.

Following the so-so return in the previous episode, it was not only great fun to see Hastings, Japp and Miss Lemon all back, but also to find an enjoyable mystery with plenty occurring, some good humor, and a nice darkness to it as well. The layout of the clues makes it possible to think along with Poirot for many of the suspects – although I confess that it was my partner that spotted the clue that provided the "why" to the whole mystery. Although busy, I found the many characters to be reasonably easy to follow along but without losing sight of the main thread. I liked that the delivery also played with my memory of previous mysteries where Poirot had developed a sweet spot for his clients, even at one point letting one walk, because we are invited to imagine this is happening with Lady Edgware too – a good red herring. The mystery lays out at a good pace for the characters and also for the viewer, and the final denouncement is most satisfying – particularly when compared to the previous episode.

I did have one complaint about the delivery – although I am not sure if it is my fault for assuming the conventions apply in all situations, or if it was the episode's fault for defying the norm. At one point we hear from a witness that she saw Lady Edgware, and yet we see that she had a restricted view (as do we) so it leaves at least the doubt, even though we are 100% told that it was her. However, the key scene is the dinner party, where an impersonator goes instead – but yet in this scene as described, we see clearly that it is Lady Edgware (as played by Helen Grace). This is a bit cruel on the viewer because it does provide us with her alibi in a way we cannot question. Again, maybe my fault for taking it at its word, but still I would have liked some of the candle-lit doubt that we are told existed in reality.

The sets and costumes are as good as ever, with a great sense of period. The use of art deco buildings is good – and nice to see Shoreham airport have reason to be used again. Watching the films so closely together is strange because one does recognize some of the location reused for other things, but still it works. The cast are all good as ever, and I am a great fan of the comedy element that Fraser and Jackson bring into events. The supporting cast are good, but Grace is probably the best in retrospect as her character is manipulative and ultimately deadly.

A very enjoyable entry in the series, with only my personal quibble. Although I suspect I will watch the next film sooner rather than later, I do note that it was over a year before Poirot returned to ITV again; I hope that the next film can keep the standards set by this one.