znatokdetectiva Reviews

Taggart: Knife Edge: Part One (1986) Season 2, Episode 1

A gorgeous episode in which literally everything is perfect

[10/10 · 31 October 2022]

For a long time I have been an ardent fan of "Taggart", in my opinion, the best show in the history of British television and the detective genre. It started off terrific with "Killer" (actually one of the best episodes), to continue two years later with "Dead Ringer", a good if not great episode, whereas "Murder in Season" was also decent. "Knife-Edge" is an amazing start to season 2, a brilliant episode in itself and the high point of the show.

The script of "Knife-Edge", as in the whole "Taggart", is absolutely stunning, it is complex and rich, it is layered like a pie, full of various magnificent plots and at the same time managing to focus on the central line. A lot of things happen, but the story doesn't look crowded and clogged (as it was with some later episodes of the show), the relationships of the characters are perfectly shown, and the ending is absolutely unexpected. Glenn Chandler is the best screenwriter of the show, and he did a great job here, this is one of the best scripts of "Taggart" (along with "Death Call" and "Dead Giveaway"), which makes us feel a sense of tension and uncertainty for 2 hours, so by the end we are biting our nails waiting for the denouement. The final is an absolute nail.

In addition to all its undeniable advantages, "Knife-Edge" is certainly one of the most atmospheric episodes of "Taggart". This is an indescribable feeling of something sinister and tense, capturing us from the very first seconds and not letting go until the finale. Visually, the episode looks amazing, an amazing rough view of Glasgow with insinuating lighting.

Every actor is great. Alastair Duncan is absolutely incomparable here as Livingston, and Mark McManus, Iain Anders and Stuart Hepburn are all beautiful. All the support is amazing: Christian Rodska looks elegant as AlexDiver, and Andrew McCulloch is tough and scary enough as Fred Swan, but the show steals AlexNorton as George Bryce, one of the show's most colorful characters, he outshines everyone, including Taggart.

That's what I call really awesome TV. 10/10.

Taggart: Evil Eye Part One (1990) Season 6, Episode 1

Step down

[8/10 · 20 February 2021]

"Taggart" is one of my favorite detective shows, especially the Mark McManus era and earlier episodes. I like the combination of dark, harsh atmosphere, of the types Glasgow, interesting, original and unexpected scenes, tense production, good acting, stiffness and sarcastic, caustic humor from the Taggart performed by Mark McManus and, of course, absolutely stunning theme song, "No Mean City", which made the show even better. There is no doubt that "Taggart" started out great, and the first 4 seasons were great and all the episodes in them ranged from good to masterpieces. Season 5, unfortunately, did not start so confidently with "Flesh and Blood", which was not bad, but given the high quality of the first seasons, not bad was not enough, and it was about the same with"Love Knot". "Hostile Witness" was a great episode and a great return to form. Unfortunately, "Evil Eye" is a bit of a step down, though not bad. Often, I wanted a harder, more confident pace and less drawn-out (such as the beginning) and meaningless (such as the gypsy curse) scenes. The direction is fuzzy and a bit blurry, the episode once again looks crowded and cluttered and sometimes tiring. I still don't understand why the line with the gypsies and the murder of the old woman was necessary at all, since it didn't make much sense and was too obvious and added to the story more of a long and slow pace. The unmasking is too fabulous and made up rather crudely even for "Murder She Wrote", and even more so for "Taggart". But don't think that "Evil Eye" is a bad episode. No, it's pretty good and better than many "average" episodes of such TV series as" Lewis "or"Midsomer Murders". The story itself is pretty solid, with some good finds (and now I find the scene in the hospital very funny), and generally fascinating, despite some drawn-out moments. By the end, the plot becomes more interesting and intense, and the final decision is completely unexpected. Overall, not bad, but a step down from the previous episode. 7/10.

DreamWorks Dragons: Heather Report: Part 1 (2012) Season 1, Episode 10

Not a bad first episode of the 45-minute partere

[8/10 · 1 January 2021]

I'm a big fan of" How to Train Your Dragon "and everything related to it, so I was naturally interested in"Dragons: Riders of Berk" from the very beginning. Personally, I prefer the later episodes, but nothing makes the first seasons bad. Season 1 before this particular episode contained 9 episodes of varying degrees of good quality, the best of which were "Portrait of Hiccup as a Buff Man" and "In Dragons We Trust". "Heather Report" is the first two-part episode of the series and the first part of it goes pretty well. The development could be sometimes more exciting (in fact, "Heather Report" is one of the most protracted parterres), but the atmosphere of the island is as always beautiful and the plot is good, but not great, now looking somewhat naive. The characters don't look as good as they do in most episodes (Astrid and Stoick look best) and Hissup is somewhat annoying here (in fact, Hiccup got more development in the full-length cartoons and later episodes, whereas in the early ones both he and Toothless look like a bit of furniture). In conclusion, a good first episode of the two-part story. 8/10.

Endeavour: Confection (2019) Season 6, Episode 3

A solid episode with an incredibly weak and ridiculous ending

[6/10 · 21 November 2020]

"Endeavour" is one of the best shows, in my opinion, a worthy sequel to "Inspector Morse" and a great show in itself. The fifth season was somewhat erratic, with one brilliant episode, three weak ones, and two episodes that went better. The sixth started well with "Pilon", but falls somewhat down with "Confection". In fact, "Confection" was actually a very good episode and one of the best until the last 15 minutes, which greatly spoiled the impression. This is one of the worst endings in the show, if not the worst, along with the "Prey" and "Coda"endings. It is too boring, ridiculous, unrealistic and annoying, the killer is pathetic and disgusting, and the explanation of the suicide line is a disgrace. There are certainly advantages: good atmosphere, colorful doctor, interesting plot, good entourage. But all this is spoiled by a stupid and shameful ending. Overall, not bad, but somewhat flawed. 8/10

Midsomer Murders: Small Mercies (2009) Season 12, Episode 5

Midsomer Murders in horror style

[8/10 · 12 November 2020]

Midsomer Murders is one of the best detective shows, in my opinion. Unfortunately, season 12 came out rather weak, despite the wonderful Jason Hughes and his character Ben Jones. In fact, I can't give any episode a solid 10 ("The Dogleg Murder "is quite atmospheric but not serious enough,"The Glitch" is a bit boring, "The Creeper" is actually good for everyone, but the killers are absolutely disgusting), and three episodes ("Secret and Spies" and especially "Great and Good" and "The Black Book") were particularly bad. "Small Mersies "is an ambiguous episode, brilliant in the first viewing, but somewhat disappointing in the second (in fact, this is the problem of many maniac films, even those as brilliant and exceptional as "Driven to Distraction" from Inspector Morse). On the one hand, it is quite interesting, atmospheric, there are several colorful characters, and the final conversation with the killer is gorgeous. On the other hand, from the second viewing, the episode becomes somewhat boring, because the denouement is already known and all the tension and atmosphere subsides. The acting performances are pretty good, especially Olivia Colman stands out in my opinion. In General, quite an interesting, although not the best episode. 9/10

Midsomer Murders: Echoes of the Dead (2011) Season 14, Episode 3

Pretty solid, not as good as the previous two episodes, but still an impressive and well-made episode

[8/10 · 12 November 2020]

Midsomer Murders is one of my favorite detective shows, the first 8 seasons of which were almost flawless, and which is great now. After John Nettles left the show for Neil Dudgeon, I was seriously concerned that the new actor and the new Barnaby would not be as good as the previous ones. Skepticism quickly evaporated, and the first two episodes of the show with a new actor / main character were great and surpassed even the previous five episodes with Tom Barnaby. "Death in the Slow Lane "was a solid, solid and generally brilliant start, and "Dark Secrets " was even better, with a great atmosphere and an interesting story. "Echoes of the Dead" isn't as good as the previous two episodes, but it's still a very solid episode and done just as well as its predecessors. Here I must say that in this episode, Midsomer Murders departs from its usual fun and somewhat parodic style, giving way to a dark and disturbing style, as previously in "The Straw Woman", "Left for Dead" and "Small Mersies", so those who expected to see a light Midsomer plot can leave the screens. "Echoes of the Dead", as already mentioned, is quite a disturbing and dark episode, as well as one of the most intense, I really felt an incredible tension and some fear when you are concerned about just one question: "Who's next?" It should be noted that the episode is too brutal and cruel for a cozy series. My main complaint about the episode is actually its predictability, the killer is solved almost immediately, and despite the fact that I had other versions, I was not at all surprised by the ending, and this ending is one of the most predictable in the series. The rest of the episode has a lot to praise. John Barnaby here shows emotion and his disgust for the killer, which is unusual for him, and the last seconds are quite strong, and the theme music is well changed. The finale is the most intense in the entire show, and it kept me incredibly tense and anxious. The plot is quite interesting, and the beginning is one of the most creepy and promising in the show. The atmosphere is also great. Overall, a solid, albeit flawed, episode. 9/10

Midsomer Murders: Written in Blood (1998) Season 1, Episode 2

After such a solid start, this episode is even better and a beautiful episode in itself

[8/10 · 3 November 2020]

Midsomer Murders is one of the greatest detective shows. I loved it when it first started, and I love it just as much now that its quality is no worse. After such a solid, beautiful and established start in the face of "The Killings at Badger's Drift", the show gets even better with"Written in Blood". It's not one of the best episodes of the show, but it's close to it, and it does a lot of the good things that we love so much about Midsomer Murders. This is a truly great episode and also one of the most atmospheric. In this regard, few episodes can compare with it ("Dark Secrets", "The Straw Woman", "The Sting of Death", "With Baited Breath"and" Death's Shadow"). The episode has a lot of color and colorful characters, Honoria and Gerald are probably some of the most colorful characters in the series (thanks to Anna Massey and Robert Swann), and Amy, Max, Selina and Brian are slightly worse. The murder of Mr. Hanlon looks spectacular and very memorable. The denouement is one of the best, thoughtful, spectacular, shocking and intense in the show. The ending with max's murder is incredibly unexpected and surprising, probably the most unexpected in the show. The climax of the main story with the murder of Gerald is not so striking, but it is strikingly spectacular. I would like to say a few words about the book. It's very different from the movie version, but I can't say which one is better. The serial version is more shocking and spectacular, but the book version is better from a psychological point of view. The only drawback of the film adaptation, compared to the book, I can call the lack of disclosure of the character Laura Hutton (not quite) and some changes in the past of Gerald. Otherwise, both variations are very good. As for the shortcomings of the episode as such, they can be considered a certain perversity of the story, although I can not say that it greatly spoils the impression of such an exceptional episode The cast of the episode is all great, especially Anna Massey and Robert Swann, as well as Joanna David, John Shrapnel and Una Stubbs. All in all, a great and exceptional episode, continuing the quality of the previous episode and just a great episode of the show. 9.5/10.

Endeavour: Game (2017) Season 4, Episode 1

An exceptional episode, a great start to the season with the only drawback in the face of the killer

[8/10 · 24 October 2020]

I really love the detective series "Endeavour", in my opinion, this is a great prequel to"Inspector Morse" (one of the best detective shows in fact) and a good show in itself. "Endeavour "started with a solid pilot episode and got even better with "Girl" and "Fugue", two very solid episodes of the show, after which the first season ended with two decent episodes of "Rocket" and "Home". The second season got even better and darker, with the only bad episode "Neverland". Season 3 started very poorly, with "Ride", leveled off a bit on" Arcadia "and" Prey "(the latter's lack of a completely uninteresting ending), but ended with a rather weak"Coda". "Game" is a very strong improvement over the entire previous season and just an exceptional episode, with the kind of bleakness that I missed so much in half the episodes of season 3. In terms of tension, "Game" corresponds to the episodes "Sway", "Neverland"and " Prey". It is also quite elegantly photographed, lots of beautiful shots, the atmosphere is great (although not as great as in the first 2 seasons). A lot of intrigue, good plot moves and tense moments. The disadvantage of such an exceptional episode is the same as in Foyle's great War episode "Enemy Fire", which was brilliant until it was slightly let down by the ending, or rather, by a completely unsolved killer. Unfortunately, this is a big drawback. Total, an exceptional episode, although not without drawbacks. 10/10

Poirot: The ABC Murders (1992) Season 4, Episode 1

Just a fantastic episode and one of the best "Poirot"!

[10/10 · 21 October 2020]

I love the works of Agatha Christie and, consequently, most of her film adaptations. Agatha Christie's Poirot is one of the best adaptations of lady Agatha, if not the best. As for "The ABC Murders," it's a fantastic episode, incredibly dark and one of the best in the series. There's a lot of what we love about Poirot and Agatha Christie. It's not as good in its season as "Death in the Clouds," but it's still just fine and more. David Suchet is great as always, Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson provide great support. Donald Douglas looks simply brilliant, cold and menacing, like Clarke, although this is not the same character as in the book. But the diamond of the episode is Donald Sumpter, who is just great as A. B. Cast, a man who is smart, humble, indecisive and influenced. The atmosphere of the episode is amazing, with a dark intensity and the music is perfect. The denouement is one of the most unexpected and striking in the show and it explains everything very logically and cunningly. In conclusion, one of the best episodes of "Poirot" with one of the strongest acting performances for the series. 10/10

Midsomer Murders: Judgement Day (2000) Season 3, Episode 3

A strong improvement and almost a Midsomer Murders classic

[7/10 · 21 October 2020]

I love the Midsomer Murders show, I love the early, classic episodes of the Tom Barnaby era show, and I can't stop admiring such a wonderfully established and still up-to-date show. The first 3 seasons of the show were virtually flawless, without any low points (which distinguishes the show from many other series that are inconsistent and already offer the viewer bad episodes from the first seasons). "Judgment Day" is a great example of an early episode and almost a Midsomer Murders classic (in fact, I think it's one of the most referenced and popular episodes of the show). It's not as good as the early episodes of the classic "Death's Shadow", "Tainted Fruit", "Destroying Angel" and "Written Blood" (in fact, some of the best episodes of the early series), but it's up to the level of "Dead Man's Eleven", although it has a much simpler story, and in its season it's quite good, not as good as "Death of a Stranger", but a strong improvement over the not-so-bad one that has a lot of good things, but somewhat under-developed "Blue Herrings", which is not the low point of the show, however. The story of "Judgment Day" is actually one of the darkest and most frightening in Midsomer Murders. Jeremy Silberston and Anthony Horowitz again show how well they work together, perhaps not the best sample ("The Killings at Badger's Drift", "Written in Blood" and "Death's Shadow" are more appropriate cases in this regard), but quite decent. The atmosphere, as always at the beginning of the show, is very classic and bright, and the music is perfect for the whole show and this episode in particular. The detective component is quite good and original in General, with a few interesting red herrings, although I really missed the greater coherence and sequence of murders (the problem with this episode, as well as episodes such as "Blood Wedding", "Master Class" and "Small Mersies"). My main complaint about the episode is that it lacks the magnificent tension and gloom that is inherent in truly great episodes of the show. I don't feel the same tension here as in "death's Shadow", "Death of a Stranger" or "Destroying Angel", which is a big drawback of the episode, unfortunately too big to be one of the high points of the show. The finale is chic, one of the most interesting, neat and heartfelt among the early episodes, John Nettles is great, and maybe he's the best here as Barnaby, but Timothy West does an incredible job and actually steals the show from the Nettles. The final decision, I repeat, is extremely smart and logical, in General in the best traditions of Midsomer Murders and looks very eccentric and suitable for such a story. Overall, a good if not exactly great episode of the show, a strong improvement over the previous episode, and just a solid Midsomer Murders. 9/10

Midsomer Murders: The Green Man (2003) Season 7, Episode 1

One of the toughest and darkest episodes of Midsomer Murders with a bitter aftertaste

[7/10 · 20 October 2020]

I love Midsomer Murders, which I think is a perfect combination of all the elements needed for a detective show. It was just fine the first 6 seasons, with the only low points being "The Electric Vendetta" and "Who Killed Cock Robin?" (in fact, "Blue Herring" wasn't the best episode of the show either, but had too much good stuff and humor to call it a flop), and continues to be great here in season 7, which kicks off with "The Green Man", a good if not exactly great start. "The Green Man" is a sad breakup with Sgt. Troy and just a good episode in itself. In fact, my complaint about "The Green Man" is that it falls away from the usual concept and style of Midsomer Murders, being one of the most dark and bitter episodes of the show and does not carry the usual cheerfulness, humor and comfort that fills most good episodes of Midsomer Murders. Secondly, it is somewhat sagging in the middle and it lacks more dynamism and atmosphere. But now about the pros: I really liked the line with the old murder and its ending, which is one of the saddest in Midsomer Murders. The murder victims are all disgusting, and I'm very glad they were killed. The ending of the main storyline is hard, rough, unpleasant and shocking, but at the same time logical and successful, although the killer is a rather pathetic character. But the main advantage of the episode is undoubtedly David Bradley in the role of Tom, who actually steals the show and does an incredible, powerful and charismatic job, all the scenes with him are heartfelt and his character can not but inspire respect and compassion. As a result, a solid, though out of the ordinary episode of a great show. 9/10.

Midsomer Murders: Habeas Corpus (2016) Season 18, Episode 1

Midsomer Murders without murders, but with corpses and drama

[6/10 · 20 October 2020]

I really love Midsomer Murders, in my opinion, this is one of the best shows that combines color, rustic atmosphere, humor, great music and charisma of the main characters. Season 18 is not one of my favorites on the show, it is, like season 19, somewhat average and not particularly outstanding, and this is not least the fault of the character of Cam Carrymore, who is one of the most boring and expressionless characters in the series, especially compared to the previous Kate Wilding and the subsequent Fleur Perkins. "Habeas Corpus "is a good episode, but not too outstanding, but considering how high even non - first-rate episodes of the show can rise (the subsequent episode" The Incident at Cooper Hill " confirms this), it's not too impressive. I actually liked a lot of things. I liked the dramatic ending (actually, I think that's where the episode should have ended), the beginning, the tense scene in the car, but Alastair Mackenzie does a very weak job as Felix, too weak to love the cast of this episode. In addition, the episode sometimes lacks rigidity. In conclusion, this is not a bad episode, but this rating was not close to the ratings of "The Green Man" or "Sause for the Goose". 8/10.

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift (1997) Season 1, Episode 1

Classic, atmospheric, with incredibly colorful characters, this episode is one of the best starts in the detective genre

[8/10 · 17 October 2020]

Midsomer Murders is one of my favorite detective shows, it's just great in virtually everything. I love it for its color, rustic atmosphere, bright characters, humor, intriguing stories, originality, creepy music and wonderful main characters. "The Killings at Badger's Drift" is a good episode and one of the best starts in the detective genre. Most TV series and, consequently, their pilots, do not do without a finding-its-feet feel, but not Midsomer Murders and not "The Killings at Badgers Drift". The plot of this episode is quite intriguing, quite twisted, although it does not do without a few nonsense and stretch. In this episode, a whole host of colorful characters, namely: Iris and Dennis Rainbird, Lucy Bellringer and Phyllis Cadell, all brilliantly played and superbly written. The atmosphere is great, creating a truly classic episode of such a great show. The music is perfect, both the main theme and the rustic composition at the beginning. However, even such a seemingly exceptional episode is not without its drawbacks. I frankly did not like one of the final moves, which was quite unpleasant, and there are a lot of plot stretches and nonsense. However, I can't say that this episode is annoying or objectionable, because there are too many great things in it. I also love the last few minutes of the series so much, when Barnaby is in the theater, it's really great, and it gave me goosebumps. All in all, a great, if not perfect episode, and one of the best starts that can be. 9/10

Foyle's War: The White Feather (2002) Season 1, Episode 2

Such a dark and tough episode and even better pilot

[9/10 · 17 October 2020]

"Foyle's war" is, in my opinion, one of the best detective shows. It proves the talent of Jeremy Silberston, Anthony Horowitz and Jim Parker, who are also the authors of the fantastically wonderful Midsomer Murders. The show started with a fairly solid, if overly predictable "The German Woman", and "White Feather" is even better than the pilot, perfectly continues and complements it and is one of the best, darkest and chicest episodes of the show. The only drawback, in my opinion, is the motive, which was not sufficiently serious and weighty, or at least did not convince me. But otherwise, this episode of the show is just great. The plot is exciting, intriguing and very interesting, with one of the most unexpected endings of the show. Charles Dance brilliantly plays the most disgusting Guy Spencer, all the other guest actors are also good. But the main advantage of the episode is the smart, brilliant performance of Anthony Howell and I was very touched and impressed by Milner's line in this episode. In conclusion, a great episode and even better than the previous one. 10/10

Endeavour: Prey (2016) Season 3, Episode 3

Tiger hunting

[6/10 · 17 October 2020]

I really love the detective series "Endeavour", in my opinion, this is a great prequel to"Inspector Morse" (one of the best detective shows in fact) and a good show in itself. "Endeavour "started with a solid pilot episode and got even better with "Girl" and "Fugue", two very solid episodes of the show, after which the first season ended with two decent episodes of "Rocket" and "Home". The second season got even better and darker, with the only bad episode "Neverland". The first episode of the season - "Ride" - was watchable, but incredibly bad and even worse than the season 2 finale, but" Arcadia " somewhat corrected the situation, becoming a very good episode. "Prey" is not as good as "Arcadia", but it's still quite decent. A big claim to such a seemingly exceptional episode (the only dark episode of season 3) is a completely weak ending, which somewhat spoiled the impression for me personally. In my opinion, this is one of the worst interchanges of "Endeavour", along with "Confection", "Coda" and "Oracle". It's completely expressionless and boring, it would be better if they used the plot with a maniac, honestly. Otherwise, this is a very good episode, with a great development of Bright, actually as good as Jakes in "Arcadia". Also, the finale is one of the most intense and disturbing in the show, which can only be compared to the finales of "Figue", "Neverland", "Deguello" and "Nocturne". Shaun Evans is very good, as always, and I was touched and impressed by what Morse did. I also liked the Thursday line, although I could have done without it. In conclusion, a good episode, somewhat spoiled by the colophon. 8/10

Endeavour: Arcadia (2016) Season 3, Episode 2

A strong improvement over the previous episode and a good movie in itself

[7/10 · 17 October 2020]

I really love the detective series "Endeavour", in my opinion, this is a great prequel to"Inspector Morse" (one of the best detective shows in fact) and a good show in itself. "Endeavour "started with a solid pilot episode and got even better with "Girl" and "Fugue", two very solid episodes of the show, after which the first season ended with two decent episodes of "Rocket" and "Home". The second season got even better and darker, with the only bad episode "Neverland". After the flawed, ridiculous, and wacky first episode of the Ride season, "Arcadia" is a marked improvement and just a good movie in itself. In fact, my only complaint about the episode (as with the entire season 3) is that it's not as dark and stylish as seasons 1 and especially season 2. In this particular case, I would like to see a little more rigidity and tension in the finale, given how superbly intense the episode itself was. However, "Arcadia" does a lot of things well and I really liked the character development of Jakes (in fact, it's one of the biggest advantages of the show that it develops each of the regular characters, which detective shows rarely do). In General, there is nothing to add here - a good episode. 9/10

Endeavour: Ride (2016) Season 3, Episode 1

Even worse than the previous episode and just a pathetic parody of one of my favorite works

[5/10 · 17 October 2020]

I really love the detective series "Endeavour", in my opinion, this is a great prequel to"Inspector Morse" (one of the best detective shows in fact) and a good show in itself. "Endeavour "started with a solid pilot episode and got even better with "Girl" and "Fugue", two very solid episodes of the show, after which the first season ended with two decent episodes of "Rocket" and "Home". The second season got even better and darker, with the only bad episode "Neverland". After the controversial finale of season 2 of "Neverland", I was really very interested in how this story will end in season 3, but I was disappointed. To begin with, "Ride" - the first episode of the season - not only doesn't actually continue the "Neverland" story, but it also doesn't tell its own story well. It tries to be a kind of English version of "The Great Gatsby" (one of my favorite works), but it does it so clumsily (Bixby=Gatsby, are You serious?!) that it turns out something wildly funny and ridiculous. The detective story itself is not bad in idea, but disgusting in execution and this episode should be one of the winners among the episodes of this show in the category "The most poorly thought out and stupid scenario". I would like to love this episode, but there is nothing good in it, except for a couple of unexpected plot twists and a good idea. All in all, a terrible episode, both in terms of continuing the previous season and on its own terms, and one of the weakest and wackiest episodes of the show. 5/10

Marple: Sleeping Murder (2006) Season 2, Episode 1

One of the best Agatha Christie Marple and just a wonderful movie!

[10/10 · 23 September 2020]

I love Joan Hickson and the series with her participation, because it is not for nothing that she was approved by Agatha Christie herself, but Geraldine McEwan and films with her, in my opinion, are no worse. Of course, McEwan is a somewhat specific Marple, but that doesn't make her any worse, and the films with her participation, in the vast majority, are brilliant. Personally, I prefer "By the Pricking of My Thumbs", "Towards Zero", "4.50 from Paddington" and this episode. This is a great episode, although it is as an adaptation of the novel "Sleeping murder" that I prefer the version with Joan Hickson, since it corresponds to the novel in plot, eeriness and this dark atmosphere, akin to a horror movie. However, as a movie, I may love this version more. There is a lot of dynamics, good color, a pleasant atmosphere, an extremely intriguing and twisted plot, a brilliant final exposure (applause for Geraldine McEwan and especially Phil Davis) and a touching romantic line. Dr. James Kennedy here is completely different from the novel or the Hickson version, but no worse. To say that this Kennedy is bad is almost like comparing Sheppard played by Ford Davis and Sheppard played by Makovetsky - both are good, but both are completely different characters who have only names in common. I don't see what's wrong with a la Poirot's explanation, since it fits Marple-McEwan perfectly. The cast is very good, Sophia Myles and Aidan McArdle look great together. But all the accolades go to Phil Davis, a great actor in a great role. In conclusion, a wonderful episode and a good movie. 10/10

Murder at the Gallop (1963)

The best adaptation from this series and a great movie in itself

[10/10 · 23 September 2020]

Adaptations with Margaret Rutherford, in my opinion, are some of the most positive detective stories. "After the funeral" is a great book, and this adaptation turned out to be a good film adaptation and a great movie in itself. There is a very dynamic plot, there is some tension, the intrigue is brilliant, the atmosphere is good, the humor is sparkling and all the actors play with dignity. In General, the best film of the cycle, a good film adaptation, a great way to spend time and just a great movie in itself. 10/10

Murder She Said (1961)

Least interesting miss Marple movie with Margaret Rutherford, but a good start

[8/10 · 23 September 2020]

"4.50 from Paddington" is one of the best Agatha Christie stories, in my opinion. The adaptation with Joan Hickson is brilliant, and the film adaptation with McEwan is just as good and wonderful. This film version is not as good as the other two, but still watchable. I liked the Groovy music, great humor, Luther and atmosphere. In my opinion, this is the least interesting adaptation with Rutherford, but it was she who introduced me to these adaptations. 8/10

Witness for the Prosecution (1982 TV Movie)

OK, although I prefer the 1957 adaptation

[7/10 · 23 September 2020]

The story "Witness for the Prosecution" is one of the most shocking and brain - washing in the work of Agatha Christie, because it was just great to explain everything in this way! The 1957 film adaptation is great, I really liked that adaptation, but this one is also quite good. Of course, the lawyer and the nurse and their arguments and bickering are much better (a hundredfold) in the earlier adaptation, but this is not the main disadvantage. This film is actually a complete remake of the 1957 film, which is exactly what it loses, since it retells the old film almost verbatim, while not introducing anything new and removing some good old things. But still, This movie is a good way to spend time if, for example, you don't like old/off - color movies, or if You want to see a shorter adaptation - the 1982 version is at Your service. 7/10

Murder in Three Acts (1986 TV Movie)

A very atmospheric and unusual version of the wonderful book

[10/10 · 23 September 2020]

I love the novel "Three Act Tragedy" because it is one of the most intriguing, dynamic and vivid books of the 1930s, and the final solution is simply brilliant. This film adaptation is unusual in that, unlike David Suchet's version, it uses the original version of the novel. I mean, you won't see Charles Cartwright's love story for You here, no. Everything is different here. But this adaptation is good, because when I watched it for the first time, I was shocked, because I had already read the novel (the well-known version) and watched the movie with David Suchet. Tony Curtis plays Charles pretty well, although of course Martin Shaw's game is much more powerful and stronger. The main advantage of this film, in my opinion, is the atmosphere. It's just great, especially in the final. All in all, a great film adaptation of a great book, although I prefer the version with Suchet. 10/10

The Man in the Brown Suit (1989 TV Movie)

Not a bad adaptation of a normal book

[8/10 · 23 September 2020]

I've never really liked The novel "The Man in the Brown Suit", in my opinion, it is too funny and exotic. However, this film adaptation turned out better and surpasses the book. Let's start with the good stuff. The selection of actors is very successful, in my opinion, and the only drawbacks (not only casting, but the entire film as a film adaptation) are Race and Pedler. Rasse here is incredibly repulsive and unpleasant, and Pedler is simply not colorful enough, especially in comparison with his literary version. This completes the disadvantages of the film (as a film adaptation). This adaptation is quite close to the text, despite the small changes, and it is superior to the book, since the main characters here are much nicer than the book ones. Overall, a good movie, a good time, and a good adaptation of a normal book. 8/10

Seven Dials Mystery (1981 TV Movie)

Not a bad, but rather tedious film adaptation of a brilliant book

[8/10 · 23 September 2020]

In my opinion, "Seven Dials Mystery" is one of the best works of Agatha Christie, dynamic, lively and quite unexpected. This adaptation is the only film adaptation of the novel and I can't say that it is as good or even almost as good as the original source. Let's start with the good stuff. James Warwick and Cheryl Campbell are very good in the roles of Thesiger and Bundle, although both are not quite the same as in the novel, in my opinion, and John Gielgud is just great as Caterham, while Harry Andrews is quite good in the role of Battle. The atmosphere is quite good, and the script is very true and close to the text of the book. However, for me, the film adaptation is too tedious, the exposure is rather chaotic, and the character of the killer is something nightmarish compared to the book. All in all, good, but not brilliant. 8/10

Miss Marple: Sleeping Murder (1987 TV Movie)

A spooky and well-directed adaptation of a great book

[9/10 · 22 September 2020]

I love the film adaptations of Agatha Christie's books starring Joan Hickson. You can't help but love them for their purely English decorum and a certain primness, for their slowness and attention to detail. "Sleeping murder" is somewhat different from such classic films as" The Moving Finger" or "The Murder on Vicarage" because it is one of lady Agatha's most terrifying stories. But at the same time, the film retains its slowness and true English atmosphere. I must admit that I was somewhat lacking in the disclosure of the characters of Gwenda and especially Giles, who turned out to be a rather gray character. Kennedy, of course, is excellent, played just brilliantly. The film itself is very atmospheric and brilliantly staged. The finale is just great, congratulations to the creators! In General, it is one of the best film adaptations with Joan Hickson in the title role. 10/10