calummccorquodale The first of Christie's full length novels to be adapted for ITVs long running Poirot, Peril at End House sets the mark (a high one). Without giving away too much, I'll say that, for me anyway, there was a definitive line between the aspects of the film that I class as "good" and "bad". To begin with the good - as usual the acting is of top quality; Polly Walker stood out particularly as young Nick Buckley, Alison Sterling portrayed Fredrica Rice perfectly, pale faced, a little aloof exactly as I'd envisaged her in the book; and of course David Suchet as the brilliant Hercule Poirot. Seeing Carol Macready (102 Dalmatians) was a pleasant surprise, not whom I'd have pictured as Mrs Croft - she seemed considerably younger and vivacious compared to the disabled Mrs Croft in the book, however brought a grin to my face on several occasions. Yet again, the music is beautiful, as are costumes (notably Polly Walker in her first scene). The time period has been captured and presented exceptionally well bringing a real authentic feel to the film, something that isn't as strong with some of the newer Poirot adaptations.Peril at End House is almost entirely faithful to the novel which is in the middle of the road of the five Poirot stories I've read, the best being Death on The Nile. I love the story and the intricacy of some of the characters as they grow throughout. Despite identifying the murderer early on (I rarely do) there's always another twist or turn waiting round the corner to catch you out. Unfortunately, whether down to cutting or simple lack of planning a substantial amount of questions remain unanswered after the climax in which the murderer is revealed. The book does reveal the answers but I was disappointed to see that the film didn't; omissions include explanations as to Maggie Buckley's arrival, the bullet, the chocolates, the motive behind a hatred toward a certain person. Being one of the longer films, 100 minutes, this was probably a time issue, however with certain slow points in the middle, it would have been satisfying to have a more expressive conclusion. Brilliant, nonetheless. I highly recommend to all! Acting, scenery and music is immense but may need to read novel to clarify unanswered questions or theories.

aramis-112-804880 "Poirot" was able to do two things simultaneously. It was able to raise some of Christie's lesser and even awful Poirot stories to a high level; and it was able to make a hash out of some of Christie's best Poirot stories (one of the best mystery novels ever, THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD, was really a disgusting effort of trouncing Christie, worse even than any of the later and less careful treatments of Conan Doyle in Jeremy Brett's "Sherlock Holmes" -- a show that was letter perfect when it started but, like "Poirot", really crashed toward the end).While "Poirot" excelled in dealing with Christie's short stories than her novels occasionally, in some weird synchronicity, Christie's better stories and novels were exceptionally well done by Suchet and crowd.PERIL AT END HOUSE is one of my favorite Christie books. It's a pleasure to meet and mingle with the world-weary post-World War I characters who might have stepped right out of John Monk Saunders THE SINGLE LADY, Hemingway's THE SUN ALSO RISES, or Fitzgerald's GREAT GATSBY. But instead of leading pointless, party lives, Christie livens them up by pitching them right into the middle of a mystery.But this is not your run-of-the-mill Christie. Rather than having a murder at the start and introducing a lot of shady characters with equal motives, this time the mystery is: who is trying to kill the beautiful, but penurious, young owner of End House, Nick Buckley? Poirot is trying to stop a crime before it is committed. But has he arrived on the scene in time to stop a murder? And is there a crime at all, or is it all in Miss Buckley's vivid imagination? Nick's blase best friend, who always seems on the verge of saying "I'll take vanilla", tells Poirot none of it is really happening, that it's all in her mind. After all, why would anyone want to murder a happy young woman with nothing to her name except a heavily-mortgaged old house? The story is crowded with the usual Christiesque suspects (a lawyer cousin who might be next-of-kin; an overly-cheery Aussie couple; a naval officer with no money -- but an expensive yacht; etc.) but this two-part story really belongs to Polly Walker's blithe young owner of a decrepit mansion who has to be persuaded to beware for her life; and to David Suchet, whose Poirot gets off some of his best quips (and facial expressions). Hugh Fraser's Hastings, usually good for a few laughs or for the incisive ordinary person's view, is particularly dim in this episode.So one of Christie's better books becomes one of Suchet's better turns as Poirot. Go figure.

bensonmum2 I love the Poirot movies! There's something about England in the 1920s that I find especially appealing. These movies have a way of transporting me to that time and place. The attention to period detail in this series is remarkable (at least to my untrained eye). Clothing, set decoration, cars, and even mannerisms seem spot on. I'm amazed that in the 1990s, locations could still be found that look as they did 70 years previous.The Poirot "regulars" give their usual wonderful performances. It's taken me awhile, but David Suchet has grown in my eyes to become the definitive Hercule Poirot. He nails the character. In many of these movies, the supporting cast can leave something to be desired. That's not the case with Peril at End House. They're quite good. Polly Walker is especially a standout. She gives her character real life.But if you're really going to enjoy a Poirot movie, I think it helps to be a fan of Agatha Christie's books. I say it helps because those familiar with her work seem to be more forgiving of the plot holes, 2-D characters, and other problems with her plots. Fortunately, I have been a fan as long as I can remember. Peril at End House is classic Christie with red herrings, clues, and intrigue at every turn. As Hastings might say, "It's an all around good show."

Chris-268 One of the very few well made TV movies produced in the last 10 years, Peril at End House features the wonderful David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, along with the other regulars from the A&E series (Hugh Fraser as Hastings, Philip Jackson as Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon). This film also marks the debut of the divine Ms. Polly Walker (the most beautiful actress that almost nobody has heard of). She plays Nick Buckley, the owner of End House that someone is trying to murder!I am a huge fan of the Poirot Series, and this two hour installment is truly a delight. It features beautiful scenery, a well paced and engaging story, and solid acting from almost every cast member. Suchet is THE perfect Poirot, even better than Peter Ustinov, whom I also love. There are several plot twists typical to a Christie story, but these will surprise a neophyte to her work.Finally, how beautiful is Polly Walker! It's truly a shame that actresses like her and Helena Bonham Carter aren't in more mainstream movies. For Polly Walker fans this movie is a must see!