Poirot (TV Series) Triangle at Rhodes (1989) User Reviews

Evil under the (Greek) sun

[gridoon · 8/10 · 6 December 2007]

Hercule Poirot goes to Rhodes (a Greek island) on vacation and, wouldn't you know it, gets involved with the death (via poisoning) of a rich and glamorous (and married, to her fifth husband) woman staying at the same hotel. Captain Hastings is not present in this one; Poirot's sidekick is a woman he meets in Rhodes.

The mystery is pretty good, once again appearances are completely deceiving, but the highlight of this episode must be the magnificent, vividly photographed island scenery. In both story and production values, "Triangle at Rhodes" reminded me of the 1982 film "Evil Under the Sun". This is a TV production of cinematic standards. (***)

"You crazy English! If you do not stop trying to kill each other, I shall put you all under arrest!"

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 10 July 2015]

I know that I've read the short story on which the Triangle at Rhodes is based, but fortunately, I don't remember anything about it. I say "fortunately" because I would have hated to have any of this wonderful episode ruined. It's so good. In this one, Poirot is vacationing in Rhodes when one of the other guests, Valentine Chantry (Annie Lambert), is murdered. As the poisoned drink had been ordered some time earlier by Commander Chantry (Jon Cartwright) for himself, it appears to most everyone that he, not his wife, was the intended victim. The police immediately suspect another guest, Douglas Gold (Peter Settelen), based on his infatuation and flirtations with Valentine. He's arrested and appeals to Poirot for help. Can Poirot unravel this love triangle?

I'll start where the other reviewers have - the scenery. It's simply gorgeous. This is big-budget, theatrical movie quality - not something you expect on television. I was immediately reminded of the outstanding location shots from the 1982 Poirot film Evil Under the Sun. It's really that good. But as much as I was impressed with the wide-open land and seascape photography, I equally enjoyed the scenes on the tight streets of the old city. The scene with the blind Italian woman in her cramped house is as expertly filmed as anything in the episode. Everything looks amazing. The direction is quite good and the episode has a nice flow. The mystery elements work and (because I can't remember reading the story) the finale really surprise me. Other technical aspects (lighting, set decoration, costuming, etc.) are also top notch.

As far as the acting goes, this is another aspect of Triangle at Rhodes I really enjoyed. The cast, including the amazing David Sucheet, is as good as I've seen in the series. Two members of the cast (however) really stood out to me: Annie Lambert as the doomed Valentine and Frances Low, whose Pamela Lyall fills the Hastings role more than capably. In fact, I enjoyed Ms. Low's performance so much, I didn't miss Hastings at all. Toward the end, when Pamela says to Poirot, "I hope we shall meet again.", I couldn't have agreed more. But, alas, this is her only appearance. What a shame.

A very strong 8/10 from me.

Well worth watching for the amazing scenery

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 21 May 2010]

This is not a favourite of mine, but it is still a very good episode of a truly great mystery series. The short story wasn't a favourite either but it was an enjoyable read, and the plotting here is well constructed and easy to follow in general. The true star though is the scenery, it is utterly amazing, and captured wonderfully by the skillful and very vivid photography. The dialogue is great and the direction is efficient. And I loved the music too, the only real problem and this is very minor is that the mystery does start off fairly slowly. But everything else is fine, and among the acting David Suchet of course stands out as Poirot while Annie Lambert is a delight as Valentine Chantry. Overall, a very good episode that is well worth watching for the amazing scenery. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The beautiful scenery makes this episode a winner

[Paularoc · 7/10 · 3 September 2012]

As the two previous reviewers have mentioned, it is the beautiful photography of the beautiful island of Rhodes that makes this episode special. Although I think that the mystery with its well done misdirection is good. This happens to be one of the very few short stories that I actually remembered how it ended even though it has been decades since I read it. The story is a simple one - two couples, the Chantrys and the Golds meet on a beach on Rhodes and later, one of them is poisoned. But was the "right" person poisoned or was the intended victim someone else? Frances Low as Poirot's sidekick does a very good job but I prefer the shows with the regular sidekicks of Hastings, Japp and Lemon and the humor and interest they add to the shows. But there are no bad Poirot shows only some that are not as good as others.

How can I leave this Island my ship has gone, you Idiot!

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 27 October 2015]

Poirot, Hastings and Miss Lemon have all gone off on holiday. Poirot's in Rhodes having a well earned rest, but of course The great Detective cannot escape one thing, murder.

The scenery is utterly breathtaking, no studio based sets here, beautifully filmed in Greece. It all works impeccably well for the time period. There are some wonderful costumes on show, it's a good reminder of how glamorous the era was, Annie Lambert (Valentine) looks sensational at times.

I love the music throughout the episode, so different, it adds to the exotic feel of the episode.

Fourteen minutes in you see that Poirot's newspaper is blank. It only has a front cover.

I love Triangle at Rhodes, not just for the visuals, I love the story too, I love the twist in the tale. It's an incredibly watchable episode. 9/10

This case does not tax Poirot's "little grey cells" all that much, nor ours, but it is still a lot of fun.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 12 July 2018]

Hercule Poirot is enjoying the sun and exotic scenery of Rhodes, but what is supposed to be a relaxing holiday soon turns sour after a wealthy society woman called Valentine Chantry (Annie Lambert) dies after drinking a poisoned glass of pink gin. The sleuth feared that tragedy would strike on the island because of a triangle of love, adultery and jealously that was taking place between the murdered woman who had been striking up quite a friendship with Douglas Gould (Peter Settelen) much to the despair of his wife Marjorie (Angela Down) who feared that her husband would divorce her for Valentine. In addition, Valentine's husband, Commander Chantry (Jon Cartwright) was furious at Gould since he believed that he was pursuing his wife. Just as it seemed that the four of them were burying the hatchet, murder occurred. Chantry blames Gould saying "I'll see you hang for this" and the police arrest him believing that they have an open and shut case against him because a poison bottle was discovered in his pocket. Poirot, however, has his doubts and sets out to clear Gould and bring the real killer to justice. The police, however, refuse to give him any cooperation so Poirot is assisted by the young and outgoing Pamela Lyle (Frances Low); with whom he has become friends with during his holiday and the retired serviceman Major Barnes (Timothy Kightley)...

This mystery adapted from one of Agatha Christie's numerous short stories does not tax Hercule Poirot's "little grey cells" all that much - nor ours for that matter since it is not particularly hard to suss out who the guilty party is. But, never mind, it is enormous fun with Suchet offering another of his fine performances as the screen's definitive Poirot. He brings out all of his character's eccentricities and traits. For example, Poirot is a fanatically neat and tidy person and there is an amusing little scene where a hotel maid is trying to pack his clothes for him into a suitcase: "With care, with care!", he shrieks at her dissatisfied with the messy way (for him) she is doing it. He then shows her how he would like them packed and she pays no attention to him. Director Renny Rye, a regular contributor to this series who also made several instalments of Midsomer Murders, skilfully exploits the exotic Greek locations so that they add to the overall sense of mystery and this adds to the audience's engagement to the plot. This is , in addition, complemented by this series' customary flair for the 1930's period detail. Aside from Suchet, all of the performances from the supporting cast are top notch with Jon Cartwright, Annie Lambert, Angela Down and Peter Settelen of particular note bringing and the powerful passions and emotions from within the triangle of love, adultery and jealousy that ultimately leads to tragedy for all of them. Frances Low and Timothy Kightley also excel as Poirot's sidekicks who are both very British and love a good adventure, which gives the film a delightful boys own adventure feel.

Triangle at Rhodes

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 4 July 2017]

As I have said before, London Weekend Television lavished money on this series, it really was no expense spared.

We are still in the first series and Poirot has gone on vacation in Rhodes, meaning overseas location shooting.

Rhodes at the time was under Italian control and Poirot finds himself investigating the murder of beautiful enchantress Valentine Chantry (Annie Lambert) by a poisoned drink. It seems her husband might had been the intended victim and the main suspect is Douglas Gold (Peter Settelen.) Gold is visiting the island with his wife but he is mesmerised by Valentine and soon arouses her husband's jealousy as well as upsetting his own wife.

Poirot is stripped here of his regulars with no Hastings and Japp. He does have a character who he gets friendly with during his investigation. The drama is leisurely paced, sumptuously filmed and tries to wrong foot you with a wrong kind of triangle.

good mystery

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 4 November 2012]

The glorious island of Rhodes, a Greek island, is the setting for this Poirot mystery from season 1, "Triangle at Rhodes." Poirot is at the end of his holiday when a beautiful woman and her husband, Commander and Valentine Chantry arrive. It seems that pretty soon, a love triangle has developed -- Valentine seems to be having an affair with Douglas Gold, who is there with his wife Marjorie. Poirot smells trouble and advises Marjorie Gold to leave the island with her husband. They don't leave.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Chantry is then poisoned by a drink meant for her husband. Poirot is actually supposed to be on the ship taking him away, but he has passport problems and his friend on the vacation, Pamela, is able to find him and bring him back.

Neat mystery in stunning surroundings, with Suchet in top form as Poirot. As usual, there is a lot of attention to style, with beautiful vintage clothes, speech, and attitudes. Very good.

Nice setting but not much of a mystery

[grantss · 6/10 · 22 July 2016]

Hercule Poirot is on holiday on the island of Rhodes, at that time an Italian territory. Among the other holidaymakers are two English couples and their friends. There is a degree of acrimony between the two couples, as the one husband, Commander Chantry, believes the other, Douglas Gold, has eyes for his wife, Valentine. On Poirot's last night, Valentine Gold is murdered, poisoned by a drink meant for her husband. Suspicion immediately falls on Douglas Gold and he is arrested. Luckily for him, due to an issue with Customs, Poirot has extended his stay, and investigates the murder.

Nice setting with some good cinematography. Not much of a mystery though. The murderer and murder method are obvious even before the event occurs, especially if you're used to Agatha Christie mysteries and this and the Miss Marple TV series (think "The Mirror Cracked from Side to Side"). Some action toward the end (which is a bit un- Poirot/Christie-like) but it is pretty much a straightforward affair.

"If you crazy English don't stop trying to kill each other, I'll put you all under arrest!"

[kaberi-893-642316 · 8/10 · 7 September 2015]

Towards the beginning of this episode, Poirot, while on vacation on the island of Rhodes, points out to a fellow tourist that he is intrigued by the behavior of English people on vacation in foreign countries. On this point, as so many others, I am inclined to agree. Any government official who happened to watch this episode could certainly be excused for eying any potential English tourist with grave suspicion.

Right from the beginning, and throughout the episode, one is struck by the stunning depiction of the location. From the costumes, to the archaeological sites, to the shots of the sunset, they could have won awards for the cinematography alone. And, because the story is set in the mid 1930's, there are a number of references to the growing unrest of the time. (Apparently Rhodes was then part of the Italian empire.) In some ways, the location makes up for the overly melodramatic acting and the curious sequence of events. In this adaptation of the story, Poirot is scheduled to leave the island and is at the harbor ready to get on a boat when the murder takes place at the hotel. Despite being stopped by harbor officials and "detained", apparently suspected of espionage, when someone from the hotel comes running to fetch him to help solve the murder, Poirot merely hands his business card to the official and, not only is he allowed to return to the hotel unimpeded, but shortly afterword he is seen being informed about the case by the Italian police inspector. Really? So, the plot holes are an issue, but I was so charmed by the location, the scenes of people shouting in Greek and Italian, and the blatant depiction of the English making idiots of themselves, capped off by the line I've used for the title of this review, that I can overlook those other details this time.

Rhode Scholar

[safenoe · 7/10 · 27 October 2023]

It's hard to believe Triangle at Rhodes debuted over 30 years ago, and I'm now watching it for the first time. Anyway, this episode, Triangle at Rhodes, has a Golden Brown feel to it, being the video from the UK group The Stranglers.

Anyway, the scenery is beautiful and Poirot takes it all in his stride as he wonders about British tourists. I'd love to see a Poirot episode set in Benidorm. Perhaps a reboot could do this.

Anyway, Georgia Dervis plays the Greek girl but it seems she didn't pursue an acting career. Frances Low played Pamela Lyall but it's a shame she didn't appear in any further Poirot episodes.

A fun, if predictable, ride

[caseymck · 9/10 · 27 April 2016]

Even though I figured out the murderer pretty quickly in this one, I still really enjoyed it. Then again, I love Evil Under the Sun, and this was clearly the template for it. I do wish the killers had a tad more chemistry so that their conspiracy would be more believable. But overall, it was nicely-paced, well-acted, and beautifully shot.

I thought the "pink gin" detail was a bit over-stated. Also, the husband became the obvious choice the second he gave away the drink to his wife. I did like, however, the time that the three women spent together touring the sites and taking pictures of one another. Of course, we find out later that the friendship is all a performance, but it made for a nice change of tone, and obscured the truth about several characters in a clever way.

They're all off on vacation

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 3 March 2018]

Hercule Poirot, private eye, is closed. The postman delivers mail and the building doorman adds it to the growing pile of correspondence. Captain Hastings is off for a shoot, probably in Scotland. Miss Lemon is away visiting her sister - on the channel coast. And Mr. Poirot - he's off to some foreign country in the east. So, is the episode of "Triangle at Rhodes" opened.

But that's enough in old England, we then catch up with Poirot in the eastern Mediterranean. He has a few days left at Rhodes and then he must leave. But that's enough time for a crime and our master sleuth to solve it. And, so the story goes. This is another very interesting and different intriguing story. It had me fooled even the second time I watched it and then I only got it half right this recent third time, several years later. This episode has six interesting characters, and a very good, surprise type of ending. Agatha Christie, through her Hercule, could really come up with some good ones.

Without his usual cadre of characters, Poirot is more reserved, so we don't have much humor in this episode. Here's my favorite line.

Hercule Poirot, "Where are you headed, major, Abyssinia?" Major Barnes, "How in Hades did you know that?" Poirot, "Well, I assumed you want to be there for the ostrich-shooting season."

...the inspiration for "Hotel Portofino"...

[gclarkbloom · 9/10 · 4 September 2022]

...the beautiful vistas of the Isle of Rhodes informed this episode of Poirot...

...in the 30's, Rhodes would have been a seething cauldron if intrigue, blackmail, mayhem and murder...with its historical tensions as an outpost of Greece ( it is just 30 miles from the Turkish port of Marmaris, but nearly 300 southeast of Athens), with the hamfisted elevation of thugs and street rowdies into Mussolini's sinister occupation... and topped off with an intresting cast of privileged British tourists...this episode is a sure-fire winner for fans of Christie's demure Belgian sleuth, Poirot...

...the cast includes a delightful assortmentof UK character actors, including Frances Low, Jon Cartwright, Annie Lambert and Peter Settelen..this episode delights and the writing is, as ever, first rate...