Poirot (TV Series) Four and Twenty Blackbirds (1989) User Reviews

excellent episode

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 13 January 2014]

Even though the device used in this story is similar to another season 1 episode, "The Dream," the actual plot is more interesting and makes for a better experience.

Two brothers, Anthony and Henry Gascoigne, both die within a few days of one another; Anthony dies at home after an illness, and Henry, an artist, lay dead in his apartment for some time before it's realized that he's deceased.

Henry Gascoigne was a man of strict habits, always eating the same meal at the same restaurant at the same time. He also had very particular taste in food. Poirot actually had seen Gascoigne eating there before his death. However, when Poirot saw him, he totally broke with tradition. Poirot immediately suspects something is afoot. He suspects the estranged brother, but then, he's also dead. There's Henry's model, a relative, an agent...Poirot is frustrated as he ticks them off his list.

Excellent episode without many suspects, but still good characters, good writing, and great locations. David Suchet is absolute perfection. Recommended.

Another good and entertaining episode

[Paularoc · 8/10 · 22 April 2015]

As is to be expected from this outstanding series, the production values, costuming, sets (especially the music hall), music, underlying humor, and acting are all top-notch. Suchet is the quintessential Poirot with, however, perhaps a more pronounced display of humor and wit than Poirot of the books. In this outing, an elderly and eccentric artist dies from an apparent accidental fall down the stairs. But Poirot, while having dinner with his dentist friend at Bishop's Chop House had seen Gascoigne on the night of his death. The waitress comments to Poirot and his friend how much Gascoigne has deviated from his previous schedule and dinner choices. When he later hears that Gascoigne died soon after that dinner, Poirot becomes convinced that Gascoigne was murdered. He also learns that Gascoigne's twin brother has also died. Although it doesn't distract from enjoying this episode, it is slightly flawed by having too few suspects and thus it is easy to figure out whodunit. This quibble is more than offset by the running and humorous side story of Hastings' enthusiasm for following a cricket match. Poirot refers to cricket as "Cricket, an English enigma. I don't know of any other game where even the players are uncertain of the rules." This episode is another winner.

A classic Poirot story brought from the book right to the TV screen

[binapiraeus · 8/10 · 25 November 2014]

For the first episodes of the then new TV series "Agatha Christie's Poirot", which was still in its 'experimental' phase - and nobody would have dreamed back then that it was to last TWENTY-FIVE seasons! - the producers picked some of Agatha Christie's short stories featuring the great detective; and they certainly made VERY good picks. Like in this case, with the fascinating case of the mysterious 'coincidence' of two brothers dying within just a few days, and the seemingly small, but Immensely important details of the meal one of them ate at his restaurant shortly before his death...

This was only the fourth episode of the first season of the series - and yet, everything's already there: David Suchet has practically 'become' Hercule Poirot (not without some additional humor for the delectation of the TV audience, but that only adds to his lovable eccentricity), the supporting cast also is formidable, and set design, costumes, hairstyles and everything else visible (or audible) are GENUINELY 20s' style in every little detail. It was already more than clear that this series would turn into something big! But this episode has also got a VERY interesting additional attraction: it takes us into both the painters' and the theatrical world of the time, AND, as the biggest contrast imaginable, in the very next scene we get an insight into a forensic laboratory of the 1920s... All in all: it's really unbelievable what a great artistic and entertainment value a 50-minute TV series episode can achieve!

A light adaptation of a light story

[kaberi-893-642316 · 7/10 · 4 September 2015]

This was one of the Poirot episodes that required a lot of padding by the screenwriters. The original story itself was quite basic: at dinner one evening, Poirot hears a waitress make a chance remark that a regular customer had ordered a meal that was very different from his usual tastes. A few days later he hears from his dinner companion that that same habitual customer from the restaurant had happened to die that very evening, apparently by accident. Poirot's curiosity is aroused, and by talking with a series of acquaintances of the dead man, and calling on his knowledge of human nature, he is able to determine that the man's death was not all it appeared to be.

A simple enough story, and lacking some of the detail that would make it appealing to television viewers. So, the writers added in some considerable amount of background of the dead man's artistic career and family, along with a series of references to contemporary forensic science (faint traces of CSI!), cricket, and even a passing reference to Raffles, a fictional mystery-solving character from the 1930's. Nothing wrong with any of that. Didn't really add to the essential story, but didn't take away from it either. All in all, an episode that was enjoyable but not very memorable.

Very enjoyable early episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 26 October 2015]

Poirot attends a meal with his dentist Bonnington. Waitress Molly casually talks about people being creatures of habit, she tells Poirot about fellow diner, Henry Gascoine, an artist and man of habit, broke his long standing routine recently, arriving on a different day, and eating different food. Poirot is instantly intrigued by Henry's deviation, more so when he learns that night poor Henry tumbled down the stairs to his death. Poirot attempts to learn more about Henry, talking to his neighbours and model, Poirot learns that Henry's estranged brother Anthony has also recently died. The little grey cells spring into action as Poirot smells a rat.

Brilliantly acted, I especially loved Holly De Jong's performance as Dulcie Lang, I will forever be a fan of Holly's after her brilliant performance a few years previous in Blackadder II.

As a fan of all things art deco i find this episode in particular a treat, some of the art work on show is just fabulous.

The music hall scenes look so good, a fun era expertly recreated. Some of the costumes too are rather wonderful. The seaside scenes also look so nice, meticulous.

I've always considered this one of the best of the early Poirot episodes. it's a super smart episode, it's a very clever plot, I've always liked the art of misdirection and the use of doubles. Short on suspects, but that seems not to matter.

"Not many suspects left either, eh?"

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 2 June 2013]

When an old man who frequents the same restaurant as Poirot dies after falling down the stairs in his house, Poirot suspects foul play: the man was an eccentric painter who refused to sell his work, but now anyone who happens to have one of his paintings can hope to make a fortune. Hastings thinks that the dead man's twin brother, with whom he hadn't spoken a word in over 20 years, might have something to do with it, but he is (surprise!) wrong: the brother had recently died as well.

Not one of the most memorable episodes in the series, this mainly suffers from two things: a significant lack of suspects (as Poirot himself observes, it's his quote in my summary: the model is eliminated early, the agent has one small scene, so who's left?), and the fact that we know next to nothing about the dead man, which makes it somewhat hard to care if and who killed him. I actually think the best part of this episode is its funny and unexpected epilogue at the dinner table. **1/2 out of 4.

One of the series' finest

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 25 April 2012]

I have always been a huge fan of Poirot and of Agatha Christie, and alongside The Adventure of the Italian Nobleman, Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb, Wasp's Nest and The Chocolate Box, Four and Twenty Blackbirds is one of the better short story adaptations. It is a simple story, but still very clever and elegant in its simplicity. The writing still has humour, intelligence and suspense, the music is hauntingly beautiful and the adaptation with the evocative atmosphere, beautiful locations and sets and elegant costumes is very well made as usual. David Suchet is impeccable, and he as always is well supported by Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran. The support cast are solid, with nobody weak but nobody quite up the standard of acting set by the four leads. EastEnders fans look out for John Bardon(aka Jim Branning) as a Lavatory man. All in all, a great episode and one of my favourites of not just the short story adaptations but also of the series. 9/10 Bethany Cox

very simplistic

[xava-lynn · 11 April 2014]

For some reason when I was younger, I ignored Agatha Christie stories. In the past few years, I've discovered them from borrowing audio books from the library and greatly enjoyed them - which let me to start reading as well. And so I was delighted to find out about the Poirot series. The few I've seen that I'd read were true to her stories, and those that I'd not read always left me impressed with her writing and tight plots, and left me guessing until the end "who dun it". One really couldn't miss a minute of it.

Therefore I expected so much more from this episode. In fact, until I looked at the other reviews, I really did not think it was based on a 'real' Agatha Christie story. I thought it was written by someone else just using the character. It was just too simplistic and obvious. But as always, the settings are beautiful, although I was still left very disappointed with the plot line. That said, I still have hope for other episodes in the series.

Up to the series' usual high standards; well acted and with a strong feeling for place and period.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 7/10 · 25 August 2023]

Hercule Poirot is dining at a restaurant with his dentist. His curiosity is aroused when a waitress tells them that one of their regular customers, an elderly, reclusive painter called Henry Gasgoigne, suddenly ordered a meal that he never had before. Soon after Gasgoigne is found dead at his home as a result of his having fallen down the stairs and breaking his neck. Poirot remains intrigued by the man's sudden change in his diet after so many years so he makes enquiries. They lead him to discover that he had an estranged twin brother called Anthony to whom he hadn't spoken in twenty years. Poirot becomes convinced that he was murdered and Chief Inspector Japp orders a post-mortem. It reveals that Gasgoigne had not eaten such a meal that Poirot had seen him eating at the restaurant just prior to his death. An invitation to an art exhibition was found on his body so Poirot and Captain Hastings go as part of his enquiries. Here, they meet Gasgoigne's agent Markinson (played by Clifford Rose) who informs them that he could not sell any of the dead man's paintings, but since his death their value has increased substantially and anyone who possesses them could make a lot of money. Poirot goes to question the dead man's nephew, George Lorrimer (played by Richard Howard), a music hall manager, but he is told that he is in Brighton making funeral arrangements for the twin brother's funeral. Poirot is now convinced that the man he had seen at the restaurant was the elderly man's killer impersonating his victim. The wills of the twin brothers and which of them dies first provides Poirot with a vital clue to solving the mystery.

All in all, Four and Twenty Blackbirds is up to the high standards one associates with this series. The feeling for place and period is particularly strong here due to a combination of Mike Oxley's production design (we get to see the interior of a splendid old fashioned music hall), Peter Jessop's subdued, lifelike lighting and the costumes of Linda Mattock. The story features a plot device that is very Agatha Christie; in this case how a man's sudden change in eating habits at a restaurant he has frequented for many years arouses the curiosity of the astute Hercule Poirot. And how it leads him to solve a clever murder plot that would otherwise have never have been solved because no one else would have thought anything of it. As ever, the acting is good with Suchet on fine form as Poirot with fine support from Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson as the Yard man Chief Inspector Japp and Pauline Moran as his loyal secretary Miss Lemon. Also noteworthy are Richard Howard as the murdered man's nephew and John Bardon, who would become a mainstay in the BBC's popular soap opera EastEnders, has an amusing cameo as a lavatory attendant.

A model leaves little mystery

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 2 March 2018]

All episodes of Hercule Poirot are interesting and most enjoyable viewing. This entry of Agatha Christie's super sleuth is among the easier to solve.

The audience early on sees two separate segments and knows that this is about two estranged brothers. When Poirot learns of that in the film, he is quick to solve the murder mystery.

Poirot's usual retinue of Captain Hastings, Chief Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon are with him in this mystery. The film has some funny lines. Here are my favorites.

Hercule Poirot, "I have a dinner engagement with my dentist." Captain Hastings, "Your dentist? Positively morbid." Miss Lemon, "But you're always trying to avoid him." Poirot, "Not at all. Off duty, he's quite charming. Besides, he likes to see the end product at work."

Dentist (Bonnington), "To my good friend, Hercule Poirot, for whom life without a mystery would be like... roast beef without the mustard."

Bonnington, "Ah, I can see that bicuspid is still sensitive, Poirot. We must take a look at that. "

Captain Hastings, "Oh, but you would have noticed if his behavior had been in any way unusual?" Dulcie Lang, "I doubt it. Painters' behaviors are always unusual. They can never make up their mind whether to commit suicide or give a party."

Captain Hastings, "With both of the brothers dead, there aren't many Gascoynes left to pay their respects." Poirot, "Not too many suspects left either, huh?"

Dead Painters Are Worth More.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 13 May 2014]

The story has most of the elements you might expect. There are, of course, Poirot, Hastings, Japp, and the succulent Miss Lemon. There is an impersonation, motivated by greed. And Poirot unravels the whole affair with stunning perspicacity. Oh, and an intuition that borders on the supernatural. Who could have been responsible for Poirot's epiphanies except --? Was Agatha Christie deeper than we ever gave her credit for?

A comic thread runs through the episode. There is an amusing scene in which Poirot serves Hastings a rabbit made in the style of Liège, which Hastings politely consumes but not without effort. And there is a running gag in which people listen raptly to the radio as the announcer is a hilariously flaccid voice mumbles on with some sort of gobbledegook that Americans will learn later has something to do with cricket. I played cricket in a former British colony but nobody ever used the patois.

Since the stories are often complicated variations on a few simple themes, a viewer's attention may be drawn towards secondary features. In this case, we get a beautiful view of the Brighton Pier. The budget for the series must have been impressive because there are so many extras in sight and all are in period wardrobe.

But, then the victim was an artist who painted nudes, and the viewer must put up with not just his disgustingly explicit depictions of the naked body but with an actual high-angle shot of the NAKED BODY itself. Not even a fig leaf! Shameless! Scandalous! The model was a little bulky for my taste.

Most impressive presence: Hilary Mason, whose face in close ups is revealed as an assemblage of handsome and distressed lumps and wrinkles that's unforgettable. She does a fine job of being stricken too.

Intriguing mystery

[grantss · 8/10 · 17 July 2016]

Poirot and Hastings are dining with Poirot's dentist one evening when the waitress points out an eccentric-looking man in the corner. He is Henry Gascoigne, an artist and a man of set routines. Yet he has been varying his habits of late. A few days later Poirot is at his dentist when he is informed that Mr Gascoigne died, apparently by falling down a flight of stairs at his house. For Poirot, the change of habits and sudden death seem too coincidental and he starts looking into Gascoigne's death, suspecting it was murder.

Quite intriguing. The murderer is not obvious until the end (though a process of elimination sort of gets there before then). A few good red herrings and twists too.

Some good by-play between Hastings and Poirot involving cricket (Hastings was due to move on from cars...) and the usual English vs continental food banter.

Unfortunately predictable

[bensonmum2 · 5/10 · 5 July 2015]

An old, reclusive artist is found dead after falling down a flight of stairs. While the police are ready to call it an accident, Poirot doesn't see it that way.

As my rating indicates, I find Four and Twenty Blackbirds an average episode. It has both its good and bad points. I'll start with the good. The acting in this episode is fantastic. Suchet and Company are in fine form. The supporting cast is equal to the task. I was particularly impressed with Hilary Mason in the small role of Mrs. Hill. The sets and set decorations couldn't be better. The richness found in these early episodes is in large part due to the attention to period detail. Sets like the band stand and the art gallery are just amazing.

On to the bad - the biggest problem with Four and Twenty Blackbirds is there are too few viable suspects. At one point, even Poirot comments on the lack of suspects. It really hurts the mystery part of the story. And it doesn't help when Hastings at one point or another suspects every character with one obvious exception - the actual killer.

Finally, I've got to say I really enjoyed the cricket storyline running in the background. It made for a very funny final scene.

England v Australia

[sjmckenna-27831 · 9/10 · 20 February 2022]

Another excellent episode in a series that consistently sets a high bar. The acting is first class and the setting and clothes capture the period perfectly. Good to see Hastings taking so much interest in the Test Match score. England versus Australia and England's bowlers doing well for a change. Too much time spent by some reviewers trying to show the producers made a mistake with England's competitor and not enough effort made to listen to the dialogue.

Cricket?

[thegermans · 10/10 · 5 February 2019]

On the radio the commentator says "Sri Lanka have made 2 changes" but they did not play test cricket until 1982

All good, scenery, acting, music, plot, hot model. Tiny detail mistake but not important.

[TheRealLamontCranston · 10/10 · 24 October 2021]

SPOILER.

Sri Lanka reference during cricket radio broadcast is erroneous.

Ceylon did not become Sri Lanka until 1972.

David Suchet is amazing in every way, accent, physical mannerisms, facial expressions... He says so much with a mere dead pan and eye movement.

The perfectly formed naked model is a delightful surprize.

Poirot's cricket riff is priceless.

The antique radio is very cool.

All good !

We know when this case happened.

[Sulla-2 · 9/10 · 17 August 2020]

Unusually for a Poirot episode we know that this case occured in late June 1934 and tghe arrest was made on 25 June. The test match refered to actually happened and all the details given were correct.

A nice little story nicely acted by all our favourite cast members

Absurd Premise

[samuelsrenee · 5/10 · 28 January 2017]

As much as I enjoy all the Poirot episodes, I have to make a negative comment on this one. It is impossible that waitresses who served the artist on a regular basis could mistake the costumed nephew for his uncle. Standing two feet from someone they'd seen week in and week out, surely they would notice a wig, false facial hair and the fact that this man was decades younger than the one he impersonated. They'd already said he ordered completed different food and came in on a different day; it's highly unlikely they would ever have mistaken this pathetic caricature for the real man. It's so far-fetched as to be ridiculous, and I doubt if anyone, whether they knew the old man or not, would look at the counterfeit and not see through it.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 10 June 2017]

When Poirot is having dinner at a restaurant the waitress draws his attention to a old man, an artist with a strict routine.

He eats there on a certain day and has a particular set of dishes but recently he has varied the days he attends and the menu which piques Poirot's little grey cells.

The old artist is soon found dead from a fall, he was an eccentric who did not allow his paintings to be sold. Now he is dead, the paintings are valuable.

Suspicion falls on his twin brother, they both fell out some years earlier over a woman and not spoken since then but he too also dies after suffering a long period of ill health.

As Poirot states, there is a significant lack of suspects in this matter so the suspect is rather obvious. What we do get is Hastings being interested in the cricket score which is a running theme in this episode. The director also pays great attention to period detail with money spent on art production and extras such as the pier scenes.

U rating is misleading

[hyacintoblack · 5/10 · 2 December 2020]

Beware this episode contains full frontal nudity by nude model and various nude paintings. U rating is totally wrong. Should be 15.