Paul Evans Serial killer ABC plots their murders using an apparent infatuation of the alphabet to choose their victims. ABC opts to taunt Poirot by writing to him, goading him, bragging of their successes and the failings of the Police and authorities. With the assistance of The Police and the nearest and dearest of the victims Poirot sets about catching the clever and dangerous ABC.I think in all honesty it's this one that got me hooked in Poirot. It has all the elements necessary for an outstanding murder mystery. It looks wonderful, the 1930's are wonderfully recreated, lots of Art deco to admire. Some of the settings are lovely too, the scenes in Bexhill and by the promenade look beautiful. The story is really intriguing and intelligent.I love the music throughout, it works so well at building up the tension.Suchet made the role of Poirot his own, nobody else even comes close, he is fabulous in this one, particularly in the conclusion. The trio of Poirot, Japp and Hastings (and Miss Lemon when she's there) work brilliantly well together, but the plaudits in this one have to go to Donald Sumpter, he portrays Cust brilliantly, he's hugely troubled, guilt ridden, scared and his world is falling apart around him. A quick mention for Vivienne Burgess too, only a small role as Lady Clark, but she was excellent.It's wonderful from start to finish. It shows just how clever Poirot is, Christie's genius shines through, one of the best adaptations. 10/10

bensonmum2 I believe that I've always loved Agatha Christie's books. When I was younger, I can remember reading and re-reading each one, especially those with Hercule Poirot, over and over. I've probably read most of her books at least 3 times. So it only seems natural that I would be a fan of and enjoy movies adapted from Christie's mysteries. The big-budget Hollywood films like Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express are among my favorite films. But for whatever reason, over the years, I have passed on most chances to watch Poirot with David Suchet on television. I had caught the odd episode here and there, but they were not a priority. I've decided to change that and give them a try.It's odd that I would start my journey through the series with The ABC Murders. Of all the Poirot novels, it's one of my least favorite. Most of the problems I have with the novel are the same as those I have with the movie. The biggest issue I have is the story's structure, including the final reveal. For my money, we as viewers (and readers) discover far too early the identity of A.B.C. We know who the man is, what he looks like, and what he's doing. And, while the film does bring all the characters together for Poirot to make the big reveal as to the murder's identity, for lack of a better description, it lacks some of that good old English drawing room feel that I really enjoy. It's almost an afterthought without the power usual found in Christie's endings.Getting past my petty quibbles with the story's structure, the movie is very nicely done. As much as I enjoy Peter Ustinov and Albert Finney in the role of the Belgian detective, David Suchet may be the definitive Poirot. He seems closer in my mind to fitting Christie's description of Poirot than anyone else I've seen. He's quite remarkable in the role. The rest of the acting is just as good, with A.B.C. himself, Donald Sumpter, giving a wonderful performance. The film's pace is snappy and the direction is solid. Considering what I assume to be a modest budget, the 1930s sets and costuming are dead-on perfect. The film has a wonderful look to it. Overall, the positive far outweigh the preconceived negatives I had in my mind making The ABC Murders quite an enjoyable experience.I'm looking forward to visiting the other episodes in the series. If the other films in the series are this entertaining as The ABC Murders, I'm in for a real treat.

jamesraeburn2003 Captain Hastings returns to London from South America and both he and his old friend Poirot are immediately drawn into their most difficult case yet. Poirot has received a letter from an anonymous writer who calls himself ABC. In the letter, the writer boasts that he is cleverer than Poirot and Scotland Yard and warns him of a murder that is to be committed in Andover. When Chief Inspector Japp of the yard investigates further, it turns out that an elderly shopkeeper called Alice Asher was battered to death on the exact date that the letter said a killing in that town would occur. In addition, a copy of the ABC railway guide was found beside her body opened at the corresponding pages. Poirot subsequently receives three more letters from ABC, an unknown serial killer who selects the towns and names of his victims in alphabetical order. For instance, in Bexhill-On-Sea, a flirtatious waitress called Betty Barnard is strangled on the beach. In Churston, millionaire tycoon Sir Carmichael Clarke is clubbed and killed while in Doncaster, an innocent cinema goer is stabbed in the local cinema while watching a film. In common with the first killing, a copy of the ABC railway guide was found beside each body. The most likely explanation behind the crimes is that they are the work of a psychopath who is determined to prove his superiority to Poirot and the police force. This theory is strengthened because even the most detailed investigations can find no link between any of the victims. However, things begin to change when a possible suspect is found in Alexander Bonaparte Cust, a seemingly ordinary stocking salesman (though highly nervous and neurotic) whom happened to be on the scene of every crime on the day they occurred. When a blood stained knife is found on Cust's person at his lodgings, he is arrested and Japp thinks that the case is closed. However, Poirot isn't satisfied of Cust's guilt because he no longer believes the crimes to be the work of a lunatic, but of a clever murderer who wished his crimes to look as if they were committed as such. In addition, Poirot isn't convinced that Cust would of been cunning or even clever enough to devise such a scheme and he calls all the interested parties together and reveals the solution to this baffling case in his usual inimitable fashion...Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders was first published in 1936 and had been filmed previously in 1966 as an ill-advised comedy thriller starring Tony Randall as Poirot and Robert Morley as Captain Hastings in a contemporary setting*. Thankfully, twenty-seven years later in 1992, London Weekend Television gave us this fine adaptation, which returned the story to its original 1930's setting and wisely concentrated on the plot rather than a series of gags. Under Andrew Grieve's flawless direction, it becomes a tightly plotted, thrilling and exciting detective story in which the costumes, lighting, acting and all other technical aspects have exactly the right touch. It is a shame that this film wasn't given a theatrical release as it's that good it ought to have been. Clive Exton's dramatisation is spot on and David Suchet had by now established himself as the best screen Poirot. He is ably supported by Philip Jackson as Japp and Hugh Fraser as Hastings. In almost every episode, some light comedy is introduced between them into the script in order to relieve the tension of the story. In this case, Hastings is forever trying to relate his boring story of how he shot a large crocodile and stuffed it as a gift for Poirot. Poirot was none too pleased with this gift but in order to be polite he shows his gratitude while both he and Japp try to avoid hearing Hastings' story at all costs. As always with this series, every member of the supporting cast has been chosen on the basis of their suitability to play Christie's characters and among them Donald Douglas as Sir Carmichael Clarke's suave brother Franklin and Donald Sumpter as the tortured Alexander Bonaparte Cust are standout. * The Alphabet Murders (1966) Directed by: Frank Tashlin

pawebster The book is a good one and it has been well dramatized here. Donald Sumpter is excellent as the travelling salesman, Cust.It's unlike other Christies in that most of the victims are not wealthy or aristocratic. The scenes in the Andover shop and at Bexhill are (perhaps unintentionally) touching. The deaths are really sad -- which is almost never the case in a Christie book, where murder is only a chance for an interesting puzzle and the victim is quite often a nasty tyrant whom almost everyone wants dead. When Hastings is moved by the scene in Andover, Poirot brushes his comments aside, saying they must not succumb to sentimentality.Entertaining. Recommended.