The Theft of the Royal Ruby
- Episode aired Feb 24, 1991
- TV-14
- 50m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Poirot reluctantly agrees to help an Egyptian prince recover a valuable royal ruby that was brazenly stolen from him during the Christmas holidays.Poirot reluctantly agrees to help an Egyptian prince recover a valuable royal ruby that was brazenly stolen from him during the Christmas holidays.Poirot reluctantly agrees to help an Egyptian prince recover a valuable royal ruby that was brazenly stolen from him during the Christmas holidays.
Antony Zaki
- Prince Farouk
- (as Tariq Alibai)
Jonathan R. Scott
- Colin
- (as Jonathan S. Bancroft)
- Director
- Writers
- Anthony Horowitz
- Clive Exton
- Agatha Christie(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDavid Suchet was a guest at a lunch with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. When Suchet chose a mango from a fruit bowl but didn't know the proper way to peel it, the Duke demonstrated. Suchet later asked the scriptwriters to include the incident. On screen, Poirot peels the mango, and says, 'A duke taught me'."
- GoofsThe characters are seen stirring Christmas puddings on Christmas eve. Traditionally, Christmas puddings are made around 5 weeks before Christmas, which allows their flavour to develop and intensify. This day is known as Stir-up Sunday - when everybody takes a turn to stir the pudding for luck. While it is possible that the family in this episode completely abandoned these traditions, it would be highly unlikely in the social context and era.
- Quotes
Jesmond: I must apologize for the prince, Monsieur Poirot. He is, uh...
Hercule Poirot: Young? One is never too young to learn the manners!
Jesmond: Indeed, indeed. Unfortunately, the prince has never seen any reason to do so.
- SoundtracksO Come, All Ye Faithful
(uncredited)
Lyrics (English translation from Latin) by Frederick Oakeley
Lyrics and Music by John Francis Wade
Featured review
A Poirot mystery sans Hastings, Lemon and Japp
Two things are out of the ordinary in this episode of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. It is one of the very few in which Poirot is all alone. That is, that none of his usual three other cohorts are in the story. It's Christmas time, and Captain Hastings is off to Scotland, while Miss Lemon is visiting her sister in Torquay on the English Channel Coast. Chief Inspector Japp never gets a call at Scotland Yard to help solve this mystery.
The second unusual aspect is the inclusion of children who have a nice part in the story. Christie might have had some more such stories, because the rapport and comfort Poirot's character has around these young teenagers is quite good and pleasant.
Poirot was looking forward to a quiet Christmas all alone with his reading, some music and imported exquisite chocolates he has just picked up. Two official looking men intercept him and coax him into their limo - the Home Secretary urgently needs to see him.
As a result, Poirot goes for the Christmas holidays to the Lacey's home where he is most welcome, and seems to enjoy the festive time. But this is all related to the theft of a gargantuan ruby from the prince heir to the throne in Egypt. There is some connection, but the plot is spotty about how the ruby appears in a plum pudding. Fortunately, Poirot has one of those gatherings toward the end when he explains things - otherwise we viewers might permanently be left in the dark.
One other thing to note about this episode is Poirot's respectful and overly polite treatment of the Lacey servants. Fans are used to the sometime pompous or arrogant demeanor of Poirot - especially when around his associates, the peerage and upper classes of England. But, he is noticeably different in his deference to and kindly treatment of the working classes. It's a nice extra attribute of his character. David Suchet plays Poirot superbly in this manner as in all ways.
And, one thing must be said about Prince Farouk. The actor, Tariq Alibai plays the part well as the snobbish, arrogant, poor-mannered and spoiled brat 19-year old prince. We all dislike him immensely. Bravo for that performance, Mr. Alibai. The overall tenor of the plot and people is delightful, and the intrigue and Christmas holiday airs add up to make this a very enjoyable film.
Here's a favorite line from the film. Mrs. Lacey, "Never good telling a young girl that a man has a bad reputation, is it?" Hercule Poirot, "It is often, I believe, an added attraction."
The second unusual aspect is the inclusion of children who have a nice part in the story. Christie might have had some more such stories, because the rapport and comfort Poirot's character has around these young teenagers is quite good and pleasant.
Poirot was looking forward to a quiet Christmas all alone with his reading, some music and imported exquisite chocolates he has just picked up. Two official looking men intercept him and coax him into their limo - the Home Secretary urgently needs to see him.
As a result, Poirot goes for the Christmas holidays to the Lacey's home where he is most welcome, and seems to enjoy the festive time. But this is all related to the theft of a gargantuan ruby from the prince heir to the throne in Egypt. There is some connection, but the plot is spotty about how the ruby appears in a plum pudding. Fortunately, Poirot has one of those gatherings toward the end when he explains things - otherwise we viewers might permanently be left in the dark.
One other thing to note about this episode is Poirot's respectful and overly polite treatment of the Lacey servants. Fans are used to the sometime pompous or arrogant demeanor of Poirot - especially when around his associates, the peerage and upper classes of England. But, he is noticeably different in his deference to and kindly treatment of the working classes. It's a nice extra attribute of his character. David Suchet plays Poirot superbly in this manner as in all ways.
And, one thing must be said about Prince Farouk. The actor, Tariq Alibai plays the part well as the snobbish, arrogant, poor-mannered and spoiled brat 19-year old prince. We all dislike him immensely. Bravo for that performance, Mr. Alibai. The overall tenor of the plot and people is delightful, and the intrigue and Christmas holiday airs add up to make this a very enjoyable film.
Here's a favorite line from the film. Mrs. Lacey, "Never good telling a young girl that a man has a bad reputation, is it?" Hercule Poirot, "It is often, I believe, an added attraction."
helpful•50
- SimonJack
- Feb 7, 2018
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Filming locations
- Joldwynds, Surrey, UK(Kings Lacey)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime50 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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