Agatha Christie Marple: 4.50 from Paddington (2004) (TV)

Director:

Andy Wilson

Writers:

Agatha Christie (novel)
Stephen Churchett (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 December 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

Plot Keywords:

Murder Investigation | Train | Murder | Christmas | Miss Marple

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 nominations

Cast

Geraldine McEwan	...	Miss Jane Marple
Griff Rhys Jones	...	Dr. David Quimper
David Warner	...	Luther Crackenthorpe
Niamh Cusack	...	Emma Crackenthorpe
Ben Daniels	...	Alfred Crackenthorpe
Charlie Creed-Miles	...	Harold Crackenthorpe
Ciarán McMenamin	...	Cedric Crackenthorpe
Pam Ferris	...	Mrs. Elspeth McGillicuddy
Tim Stern	...	Attendant
Michael Landes	...	Bryan Eastley
Kurtis O'Brien	...	Alexander Eastley
Toby Marlow	...	James Strickland-West
Rob Brydon	...	Inspector Awdry
Rose Keegan	...	Lady Alice Crackenthorpe
Pip Torrens	...	Noël Coward

Also Known As:

Marple: What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw (USA)
What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:M | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Eltham Palace, Court Road, Eltham, London, England, UK

Company:

Chorion

Quotes:

Agnes Crackenthorpe: Love is all that matters. Love, not money.

Movie Connections:

Follows Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage (2004) (TV)

Not too bad but...

This isn't really too bad. But it feels so different from what one would imagine after reading the book. So I guess, those who haven't read the book would likely enjoy this movie more. Except most people probably wouldn't watch this unless one has read the book.

One thing I can't seem to get over is why is Miss Marple so perky and vivacious, almost as if she's going to break into a song and dance number or a comedy act. Is this done deliberately to appeal to a wider and modern audience? Nothing wrong with that. I do appreciate a good sense of humor. In Mrs. Christie's books, I get the impression that Miss Marple is a very "classy" lady, very genteel. There is nothing wrong with Geraldine McEwan's portrayal of an elderly lady, I do like her, but it just doesn't feel like The Miss Marple. If the series were called Geraldine McEwan Series instead, it would be more enjoyable and less irritating to be reminded how different the stories are from the books.

As a made of TV movie, I'd give it an 8. While as an Agatha Christie book made for TV, I'd give it, at most, a 4. Suddenly reminds me, how much I appreciate Mrs. Christie's writing abilities.