Why Didn't They Ask Evans?

This BBC version of an Agatha Christie book shows the pitfalls of following a book too closely. Christie's books tend to move at a gentle, sometimes even sedate pace, and "Evans" is one that certainly does. It also has a solid school of red herrings to confuse the plot. This version is extremely faithful to the book, which results in a very slow, involved story. As a Christie fan, I gave it 7 stars, but it takes 3 hours to make its way through a relatively action-free story. I appreciate some of the tightening of plots that the BBC did for its later Christie productions much more.

In the end, this movie is a leisurely pleasure, highlighted by the breathy waif Francesca Annis who brings considerable charisma to her role and plays off James Warwick very well.

This movie adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel is similar in feel to "The Seven Dials", and has a number of the same actors in it, but I found it inferior. The movie is quite long, but it still manages to leave several things unexplained by the end. The traditional "explanation" scene at the end, where the devious plans of the criminal(s) are laid bare, is oddly uninvolving, despite the fact that the heroine is alone in a big house, at the mercy of the killer. It seems to go on forever, and seems to be answering questions that no one really bothered to ask. Besides, there is one outrageous piece of information provided at this moment that the viewer could not possibly have known, and which is thrown in just to make things easier for the villains. I suspect this is the fault of the original book (Christie was not above tossing in a sort of deus ex machina, especially in her early books) but it leaves the viewer feeling cheated.

Francesca Annis is a touch too smug and smooth in her portrayal of Frankie, and I found her "bright young thing" character grating after a while. Eric Porter, as the suspicious Dr. Nicholson, gives the best performance of the movie, both affable and alarming.

Talk about faithful to the book, this excellent adaptation has virtually been lifted from Agatha Christie's book, it's a fine drama. Perhaps a little long to watch in one sitting, coming in at three hours. It is a rewarding watch, the story is clever, the mystery intriguing and the characters are glorious.

It's an involved story, fair to say it does take some time to develop, but the characters are given depth, back stories and motives.

Still the best version, to this point the only other being where ITV butchered it for The Marple series.

Annis and Warwick are both excellent, even if the casting team at LWT were guilty of reusing the same actors too many times in their Christie adaptations, however the pair are believable from the characters in the book, they have the right tone. Sir John Gielgud is excellent, but my favourite performance is from Joan Hickson, Mrs Rivington is only in it a short while, but the gossip loving socialite is a far cry from Hickson's glorious Miss Marple.

It's a lavish production, surely one day worthy of a Blu ray release. Loved it. 9/10

I really like this hidden gem. I have no complaint about the length, which I've seen others here complain about. The length really gives the viewer time to get acquainted with the characters and all the intricacies in the plot.

I love whodunits, and fills that exact craving well. Also, there is a tinge of British comedy strung throughout. James Warwick and Francesca Annis are just perfect for this role. I find this movie to be better than their "Partners in Crime" shows.

All in all, I find it really enjoyable to watch, and hard to guess the plot if you haven't read the book. I highly recommend it!

Although the scenery and acting (apart from Joan Hicksons Mrs. Rivington- who is super!) might not stand up to a lot, this adaptation of Christies novel, is perhaps one of the most accurate I have seen. The running time does go on a bit, but nothing is missed out and it is kept faithful to the book. A very interesting piece indeed. I'd give it full marks for ingenuity and plot!