Poirot (TV Series) The Dream (1989) User Reviews

Mr Poirot isn't mean, but he is careful.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 27 October 2015]

Poirot must discover the power of dream, can the power of suggestion lead someone to the ultimate crime?

I'll admit you'll need a leap of faith to buy into the plot, it is one of the more far fetched ones, but once you're over that it's a very clever, engaging story, beautifully written. A similar tricked is used in Mesopotamia.

Miss Lemon's face at the end is priceless 'it's just what I wanted.'

This episode holds up brilliantly, it's over twenty five years old, and it's still a fantastic watch. A plot full of mystery and intrigue, definitely one to get the grey cells in action.

This is a proper 'let's gather everyone together for the uncovering of the murderer' episode, we'd enjoy it many times more.

Tragic that two of the main stars in this episode are no longer with us. Alan Howard was truly excellent in both roles, giving us two very diverse performances, and the lovely and beautiful Mary Tamm, just great as Mrs Farley, Tamm was such an underrated actress. Joely Richardson of course is very strong too.

A great finale to Series 1, 9/10

A long stumper for Poirot

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 9 March 2018]

"The Dream" is one of the more cleverly contrived murder cases that Hercule Poirot has solved. And, it's another one that Chief Inspector Japp and others conclude early on as a suicide. All of Poirot's usual sidekicks are in this episode of Agatha Christie's famous Belgian super sleuth. And, Poirot credits Miss Lemon with the key to his unlocking the mysterious murder.

Poirot is genuinely stumped for some time and fears that his little grey cells are beginning to fail him. This murder is set in an industrial area where England's largest pie maker has his business. There are a number of funny lines. Here are some favorites.

Hercule Poirot, "Hastings, to say that Benedict Farley makes pies is like saying that Wagner wrote semiquavers." Captain Hastings, "Well, they're good pies, then?" Poirot, "No. Horrible! But there are a great many of them."

Captain Hastings, "Useful, eh, living above the shop? I suppose from here, Farley liked to keep an eye on his employees." Hercule Poirot, "No doubt. But it is a pity that such diligence does not improve the quality of his so-called delectables."

Hercule Poirot, "Ah, I see. So, when Hercule Poirot is concerned, there arises immediately a suspicion of murder?" Chief Inspector Japp, "Precisely."

Captain Hastings, "This is not like you, Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "But this is not like the grey cells, Hastings. I have given them every chance. They have been closeted. I have slept to allow them to do their work. I have eaten fish for breakfast. Result? Nothing!" Hastings, "It'll come, Poirot. The little grey cells have never let you down yet." Poirot, "Ah, but is this not an indication, perhaps, of what is in store? A sign that they are weakened by old age and the fast living?" Hastings, "Fast living, Poirot? I wouldn't call your life exactly fast." Poirot, "Oh, not now, perhaps, Hastings, but in my youth." Hastings, "Really?" Poirot, shaking his head, "Umm." Hastings, "Really?" Poirot, "See, one pays, Hastings. Eventually, one is called to settle one's account." Hastings, "I say." Poirot, "I shall have another tisane."

The making of Poirot

[drapertg · 9/10 · 30 April 2020]

This episode is the one where Suchet absolutely nails the character. There are bits and pieces in the previous episodes but this is the one where you can see it all really come together for him. Not the most exciting of stories but watching Suchet's masterclass is more than enough to satisfy.

Still manages to be interesting and entertaining

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 26 April 2012]

The Dream is not one of my favourites of the Poirot series, which I love and have done for years now. However it is still interesting and entertaining. It does suffer from the inevitable problems of the two people being one scenario, by all means it is a clever scenario but those seeing the episode for the first time not knowing much about the story may find it hard to swallow at first. I wasn't entirely sure about Miss Lemon's typewriter subplot either, not the subplot itself but Poirot's reaction to her demands seemed oddly obtuse to me. However, it is a very well made episode, with splendid production values. The opening scene is beautifully done. The music is its usual high standard, the writing is humorous and intelligent and the story is as clever and compelling as you'd expect. David Suchet portrays Poirot as if born to play him, and Hugh Fraser, Phillip Jackson and Pauline Moran are also great. The support cast are just as good, with Joely Richardson and especially Alan Howard standing out. In conclusion, another solid, well made episode of an outstanding series. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Season 1: Very enjoyable thanks to accessible plots, frequent laughs and generally very good delivery from all involved

[bob the moo · 16 January 2014]

In the recent years I have seen a few of ITV's Poirot and have viewed them in the context of the other ITV Christie series "Marple" in that I see them as Sunday night specials which are a bit bloated, don't always give the viewer much help to follow along but generally warm you with actors you'll know from other shows, nice periods sets/costumes and the promise of a solution. For some reason I never saw Poirot through the 1990s and never really gave it too much time till I saw a few because my girlfriend enjoys them. As a result of this I decided to jump back to the first season to see what it was originally like, and I'm glad I did.

There is no "first thing" you notice about the show back in the start, because there are a lot of differences. The most obvious for me is that the show understandably doesn't have the feel of a big ITV event or institution, so episodes are under an hour long, there are no big semi- famous ensemble cast and the episodes screened weekly like a regular TV show, rather than one every few months as standalone events. It may not be obvious why this matters but it is a fact that feeds through the whole show and, not to criticise later episodes, this season I found very enjoyable due to this overall feel. It feels lighter and the mysteries are more accessible and stripped down - again, less of a production to get lost in and mostly a tight story. In one of the episodes Poirot goes to a mystery play and gets it wrong, afterwards complaining that he was not given all the facts by the playwright - in some cases with the ITV Christie adaptations I have felt the same way but in this season this was not the case - I followed all of them and felt involved in the mystery even if I was always behind Poirot.

As a factor of time I know Poirot will change because in this first season he is a very different character. I enjoyed very much how irritable and mischievous he was and also how much comedy there was through the episodes; whether it is Poirot's outrage at being dismissed from a trivial case he never wanted in the first place, through to his failure to buy a typewriter or Hastings' belief that Cubism is such so that you can see everything from the front without having walk round the back. This frequent comedic element mixed with the accessibility makes it a very enjoyable first season. On top of this our younger Poirot lacks some of the moral anger he will later have - he seems to enjoy the puzzles rather than hate the criminals, although I thought the show made light of one instance where he lets the "killers" get away free - it is an odd thing to occur with hardly a comment.

The cast are very good from the very start. Suchet is great in terms of his presence but more importantly his timing; he gets such nice little mannerisms that he adds to every scene he is in, making for an intelligent, irritable and funny character. Fraser is much simpler as a "Jolly old chap" type but I enjoyed this presence as he added energy alongside the more clipped Suchet. Jackson and Moran feature regularly in this season and I liked them both in their supporting roles. The weekly cast is nicely free of distracting famous faces, although there are a few faces in there that became famous later. Generally the standard is strong with no bad performances I can think of - although the most memorable for me was the young cook in the first episode who delivers a really funny scene while stating her belief that "white slavers" are to blame for a colleague's disappearance!

I have always "liked" Poirot but just never made a habit to watch it as it screens, but I am glad I decided to watch this first season as it was very entertaining with accessible and satisfying mysteries, good clean delivery and plenty of comedy and character.

Clever!

[RodrigAndrisan · 9/10 · 31 July 2018]

I have seen many episodes from this very exciting TV series but I decided not to write about them, there are too many. I make an exception for this one because I consider it the best of all that I have seen, from all points of view, subject, actors, director, everything. Very intelligent. Just watch it!

Great setting but hard to swallow plot

[Paularoc · 7/10 · 8 August 2012]

This episode has a fascinating setting at a meat pie plant (I could have done without the quick slaughterhouse scene even though it is only suggestive) which required the use of a lot of extras. The owner of the plant is very 19th century in his views (and his appearance - he sports bushy sideburns) and expects his employees to thank him for allowing them to work at his plant. Of course, he treats his daughter and everyone around him with the same mean spiritedness and arrogance. The owner lives at the plant and summons, via letter, Poirot to meet with him that evening (wow-postal service must have been amazing back then) and to bring the letter with him. At the meeting, he tells Poirot about a recurring dream he has of shooting himself. Sure enough the next day at the appointed time, the owner is found shot dead. SPOILER: That someone was impersonating the owner during the Poirot meeting was way too obvious. The dead giveaway was the unexplained fact of having a light shine in Poirot's face when he was meeting with the pseudo-owner. They might as well have had a title card saying: we don't want Poirot to get a good look at this man. To be fair though, this kind of impersonation is hard to pull off in a television show whereas it wouldn't have been as difficult in a written story because on television they had to show the real owner as well as the fake owner whereas in the written story Poirot would not have seen the real owner except when he was dead and probably didn't look too good. So, high marks for the opening scene and as ever high marks for the actors but the plot was just average.

time of death

[Carl20 · 8/10 · 21 September 2020]

I loved the acting and it was unique, just like all the others, but I did not understood one part of the episode. When the Poirot said, that Benedict Farley was murdered the day before he came to see the dead body, doctor said, that he was murdered an hour ago, I did not understood that point, because we have two different death times, one is yesterday and another is an hour ago.

"Miss Lemon says he makes pies."

[bensonmum2 · 7/10 · 20 July 2015]

Poirot receives a strange request for a meeting from a successful businessman named Benedict Farley. At the meeting, Mr. Farley tells Poirot of a reoccurring dream where at a precise time, he takes a gun from his desk drawer and shoots himself in the head. Mr. Farley is concerned that someone may be manipulating his mind and he may actually kill himself in real life. The next day, Mr. Farley is found dead under the circumstances outlined in his dream. Inspector Japp asks Poirot to help with the case.

There are a couple of points in The Dream that really bother me and keep me from rating it higher, but I'll get to those in just a minute. Overall, The Dream is a wonderful episode. The acting is as good as you'll find in one of the Poirot episodes. The four regular cast members are fantastic. In addition, I was especially impressed with Alan Howard and the infectious Joely Richardson. Nice job. Period details in this episode are quite good. I enjoyed the factory tour. It all looked authentic to me. Sets, costumes, and cinematography were spot on. The direction is more than capable. The episode has a very nice flow to it. And, The Dream has the kind of reveal I love in a Poirot episode - Poirot gathers everyone together, goes through the crime step-by-step, and only then, names the killer. Good stuff.

BIG SPOILER ALERT. But, as I've indicated, there are a couple points that bother me. The first is similar to one I've already written about in another episode involving someone playing a double. In this episode, Alan Howard plays both the real Mr. Farley and Hugo Cornworthy impersonating Mr. Farley. It's the same actor. It's hardly fair to the viewer. Second, the wound left by a bullet fired from several feet away would not look like the wound of a bullet fired from a couple of inches away. We've been told that numerous times in other Poirot episodes and movies (see Death on the Nile for example). If nothing else, Japp would have recognized right away that it wasn't suicide because there couldn't have been powder burns. Don't misunderstand, these are not deal breakers. The episode is still a lot of fun. END BIG SPOILER ALERT.

Enormously enjoyable with good acting, characterizations and for place and period.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 9/10 · 14 August 2023]

Hercule Poirot is consulted by the arrogant, multi-millionaire pie manufacturer Benedict Farley (played by Alan Howard) who tells him that he suffers from a recurring nightmare in which he goes to his office window and shoots himself. Soon after Farley is found dead in his office by his secretary Hugo Cornworthy (also played by Alan Howard) in exactly the way his nightmare described. Chief Inspector Japp (played by Philip Jackson) believes that it was suicide, but Poirot is convinced that Farley was murdered. Certainly there are plenty of people who would have liked to see him dead. They include his daughter, Joanna (played by Joely Richardson), the main beneficiary of his will, who wants to marry the penniless Herbert Chodley (played by Martin Wenner) whom her father had disapproved of and got fired from his job. Meanwhile, his young widow Mrs Farley (played by Mary Tamm) has inherited £250,000 tax free. However, Poirot struggles to work out how the hated tycoon could have been murdered in a seemingly impregnable room - the killer could not have entered the office unseen and there is only a thick wall for a view out of the window. It is when his secretary, Miss Lemon (played by Pauline Moran), leans dangerously out of the window in order to see the clock tower for the time that he finally works out how it was done. Poirot assembles the entire Farley household in Farley's office where he reveals the solution to the affair.

Enormously enjoyable installment into ITV's acclaimed series based on the stories and characters of Agatha Christie. Alan Howard is excellent in the dual role of the despised Benedict Farley and his secretary Hugo Cornworthy. The characterizations in Clive Exton's script are well drawn too. At the start of the film we see Farley, accompanied by the local mayor, politicians and press, opening a new wing of his production plant with his staff down below on the production line. "My friends! "I hope I may call you my friends; after all I pay your wages", he addresses them much to the amusement of his distinguished, well-heeled guests whereas the staff aren't impressed at all. This shows the divide and disconnect between the wealthy, the powers that be and the hard pressed working classes who no doubt toil away in his factory for a pittance. Later, we see Farley's hostility towards those seeking trade union recognition describing them as "politically motivated" and anti-success whilst keeping them waiting outside of his office for ages for a meeting he clearly has no intention of holding. Howard's portrayal of this unpleasant individual contrasts nicely with that of the mild mannered Cornworthy. Yet, he may not be as meek and loyal as he seems. It has to be said that the acting is of a high standard by all concerned. Suchet is his usual impressive self as Poirot who gets excellent support from his regular co-stars Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson and Pauline Moran. There is an amusing scene at the end where Poirot presents Miss Lemon with a clock as a gift for providing him with the clue that was vital to his solving the case. But, really, all she wanted was a new typewriter since her old one has worn out and he didn't listen to her when she requested a replacement. Poirot proudly says he will never be a millionaire because he is "too considerate towards his employees". As we have come to expect from these films, there is a strong feeling for place and the 1930's period. Costumes, settings, lighting and music are all impressive as is the direction by Edward Bennett.

Why?

[jenanalbaqqali3 · 7/10 · 22 July 2019]

Okay, one thing they didn't mention, or maybe i didn't understand. why did the killer sent a letter for a poirot in the first place? He could just kill him and it will look like suicide.. by sending a letter to Poirot and pretending to be mr. Benedict it became so clear that it was a murder!!

Predictable but still entertaining

[kaberi-893-642316 · 7/10 · 13 September 2015]

When we first meet Mr. Benedict Farley, founder of Farley's Pies, his grey sideburns and thick glasses make his appearance quite distinctive, so much so that one immediately senses how easy it would be to impersonate him. And when he invites Hercule Poirot to his factory to discuss an unsettling dream he's been having, he refuses to let him see his office, and fails to recognize the letter of invitation he himself sent. So, when he is found dead of an apparent suicide, it's really not hard to imagine the trickery that may have been involved. But Poirot fails to see exactly how the thing was managed until his watch stops and he has to ask Miss Lemon what time it is.

So the story is not as clever as it imagines itself to be, but the episode is rescued, up to a point, by Suchet's portrayal of Poirot's anguish at not knowing how the murder was done. He laments of the aging of his little grey cells, and makes veiled references to the "fast living" of his youth. Too bad his much vaunted grey cells didn't provide him with a better idea of a gift for Miss Lemon for showing him the solution of the mystery. How much more could it have cost him to provide his employees with the latest technology?

fun Poirot

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 13 January 2014]

This plot is similar to another in the Poirot series and actually, it's fairly easy to figure out. However, it's still well done and very entertaining.

Things aren't happy in Poirot's office. Miss Lemon has had it with her ancient typewriter and wants a new one. Though this is news to Poirot, both she and Hastings insist it has been mentioned several times before.

Now he can really forget about it, as he is summoned to meet a man named Farley, the King of Pies, at his manufacturing company. Farley is disturbed about a dream he has had repeatedly. In the dream, at an exact time, he removes a gun from his desk, walks to his window, and kills himself.

Poirot isn't much help and is dismissed by Farley. The next day, Farley is found dead under the circumstances he described. Poirot and Hastings then help Inspector Japp figure out what happened. In the end, the typewriter-seeking Miss Lemon gives Poirot the clue to the case.

A delightful episode that shows activity in Poirot's office with the wonderful Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran) and Hastings (Hugh Fraser), with Poirot at his absent-minded genius best.

Recommended, though not the best story.

Poirot and the pork pie king

[grantss · 7/10 · 23 July 2016]

Hercule Poirot is invited by wealthy industrialist / pork pie king, Benedict Farley, to take on his case. When they meet at Mr Farley's factory, Mr Farley tells Poirot that he believes someone is trying to hypnotise him into committing suicide. Mr Poirot is quite dismissive of Mr Farley's suggestion and the meeting ends. The next day, Mr Farley is found dead in his office, shot through the head, apparently at his own hand. Chief Inspector Japp would normally write it up as suicide and close the case, but the fact that Poirot was previously contacted by Mr Farley makes him think it could be murder, and that Poirot's assistance is needed.

Reasonably intriguing, especially as regards the murder method. Motives are quite basic. Quite a few dead giveaways right at the beginning to some of the machinations involved in the plot.

A nice sub-plot involving Miss Lemon and her typewriter. Supporting cast includes Joely Richardson.

Last of the Rober Barons.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 8 May 2014]

Alan Howard is Benedict Farley, owner of the famous Farley's Fine Foods (or whatever) known especially for its pies. He's grim, muffled in bushy sideburns, his eyes barely visible through his thick spectacles, his smile desolate, but he comes to the balcony of the pie bakery and addresses his white-clad workers with a fake benediction on the occasion of their one millionth pie or something. I love you all, and I show my appreciation for you by PAYING YOUR SALARIES. And now -- back to WORK!

Big joke. He exits while his audience stares stone-faced at his retreating back.

Curiously, Poirot receives a letter from Mr. Farley, requesting Poirot's presence at the factory. Farley tells Poirot that he's been having a recurring dream. It's 28 minutes after noon. He wakes up, goes to his drawer, removes the revolver, and shoots himself through the head. When Poirot probes, he reaches nothing but dead ends and finally leaves -- not reluctantly, because Farley is something of a bastard and anyway Poirot hates his product, which is to pie as Gallo is to wine.

Predictably, Farley is soon found dead on the floor of his room, pistol in hand, bullet in head. Looks like suicide but of course it's not. The experienced viewer by this time will have picked up enough clues without Poirot's help to be able to figure out at least part of what's up. The particularly perspicacious viewer, such as myself, will know who done it, half-way through.

The whole ensemble is here -- Poirot, Japp, Hastings, and the cuddly, sweet Miss Lemon. The factory set is impressive, inside and out, and the plot is quite tidy.

Enjoyable entry.

The Dream

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 2 September 2017]

Benedict Farley is the wealthy owner of a pie factory, a man with a Victorian attitude. He makes lots of pies, keeps a tight grip on his family and expects his low paid staff to be grateful to him for providing employment to them.

Farley calls in Poirot because he has been having a recurring dream that he will kill himself at a certain time of the day. Indeed his body is found by an employee the following day.

Poirot is called in because he seems to be the only one Farley confided to about this dream.

I thought behind Farley and his bushy eyebrows and thick spectacles was the actor Bob Peck as he sounded like him. The episode does feature descendants of the great and the good. Joely Richardson (daughter of Vanessa Redgrave) and Alan Howard (nephew of Leslie Howard.)

The iconic art deco Hoover Building stands in for the pie factory. It is now a Tesco supermarket and an Indian restaurant. My wife immediately remarked that it looked familiar to her as we have visited the building.

The mystery does share a theme to an earlier episode from the first series but it is enjoyable enough but not really a deep mystery.

By and large I liked the first series even if some of the mysteries were not too strong. The hour length episodes were tight, ITV had lavished money on the series with the art deco art direction being outstanding. Suchet hit the right note with his portrayal, smart, wily and humorous.

It was a shame that the later feature length film versions became flabby, the art and set directions were not as exquisite and Poirot became rather a bad tempered bore.