Peril at End House

It's been ages since I read Peril at End House, but apparently, this filmed adaptation has been changed only slightly from the actual story.

While staying at a Cornish resort, Poirot and Hastings meet a beautiful young woman, Magdala "Nick" Buckley (Polly Walker). She tells them that she's had a series of strange accidents lately. Poirot has reason to believe that someone is trying to kill her. When she leaves, she forgets her hat, and Poirot notices a bullet hole in it -- while sitting with them, she had been annoyed by a bee. Poirot points out to Hastings that it was a bullet, and actually finds it.

Concerned, Poirot becomes concerned with protecting Nick. One night, when she returns to her home to get something, her cousin, who was wearing Nick's coat, is killed. Nick tells Poirot that she doesn't care if she lives or dies, which Poirot finds a strange statement. She is put in a nursing home for her own protection.

Poirot then realizes that an aviator, whose trip has been followed by the media, is lost at sea, and that Nick was engaged to him. In the interim, his uncle has died -- meaning that Nick has probably come into a huge fortune. With the motive for the attempts on her life, Poirot sets out to find the will and the killer. He uncovers a lot more than that.

Really excellent, entertaining story, lushly produced, with Suchet perfection as Poirot. Hastings is pretty dumb in this one. Miss Lemon, as played by Pauline Moran, is a delight.

I figured this story out for the most part, but it's because my subconscious remembered it. It is a very intriguing mystery and you will be entertained by it.

An interesting thing: despite the fact that "PERIL AT END HOUSE" is a two-hour episode, it was shown as two one-hour episodes. This being an "old" episode, it is very faithful to the original novel. I loved it! Nick Buckley's role was played to perfection, and David Suchet once more displays his perfection at playing Poirot. The novel also included Chief Inspector Japp and Captain Hastings, main characters in the series (who at times were inserted pointlessly in stories that didn't feature them in the first place), and their roles are played to perfection. There was only one major change: the attempted assassination in front of Poirot did not take place in a lonely garden in the back of the hotel: it took place in a crowded spot near the swimming pool. Overall: a well-done episode!

I had seen this movie about a year ago and vaguely recollected that there was something about it that I didn't enjoy, but upon rewatching I couldn't find anything that bothered me unduly. From the opening moments, when we see Poirot and Hastings in an airplane, Poirot's hand gripping the armrest like a claw, the witty dialogue begins. Hastings compares the view of the landscape and clouds to a patchwork quilt and cotton wool. When Poirot, who is clearly terrified, refuses to play along, Hastings accuses him of having no imagination. "That is true", Poirot says, "but you have enough for both of us." The plot line is clear enough. Poirot and Hastings, on vacation in Cornwall, meet a young lady who has apparently just escaped being killed more than once. When the lady's cousin is mistaken for her and shot in consequence, the lady, Nick Buckley, retreats to a nursing home for her own protection, but the attempts on her life continue. Poirot and Hastings, along with Chief Inspector Japp and Miss Lemon, need to find out who killed Nick's cousin Maggie before Nick herself is killed.

The solution to the mystery is clever, but not extraordinary for Christie. What makes the movie charming is a combination of the stunning location shooting and the light-hearted writing. From the Majestic Hotel where the pair are staying, to the grounds of the titular End House, to the shots of the coastline, the episode is a feast for the eyes. And, although some of the best lines are borrowed straight from the original novel (Poirot asks Hastings to tell Nick what a great detective he is. When Hastings responds with a dull description, Poirot says, "Mais dis donc, that I am a detective unique, unsurpassed, the greatest who has ever lived!" Hastings: "Well, there's no need now, you've told her yourself." Poirot: "Yes, but it is agreeable to maintain the modesty.") there are also several scenes written for the screenplay that shine, especially when Poirot assures everyone at the table that Miss Lemon is psychic and she has to suddenly pretend to be a medium and conjure up Miss Buckley's spirit.) Overall an entertaining entry in the Poirot series.

The first feature length episode is such a goody, the first in a format that we'd come to love for many a year. I understand there were a few amendment from the book, but they are so minor, it's a very faithful adaptation.

I love the whole chocolate poisoning sequence, it looks so effective, re-written from the book, but it works so well.

The highlight of the episode is undoubtedly the ending, the revelation sequences work incredibly well, they are very poignant.

The scenery is breathtaking, it is such a beautiful setting. The episode is a visual treat, the scenes in the hotel, the clothes, Freddie in particular gets to wear some great outfits. Wonderful music throughout, it feels so authentic.

Polly Walker literally left me speechless in this episode, one of her very first TV appearances, she is absolutely spellbinding, terribly sweet throughout. When I read the book, she is the character I see in my mind's eye.

Miss Lemon is put to great use, and is particularly good, at last we get to see her glammed up, and her séance scenes are brilliant.

For anyone seeing this mystery for the first time, and unaware of the plot the solution will come as a surprise, it's such a cleverly written story.

I think it's an excellent episode, truly enjoyable. 8/10

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!