Peril at End House

I had a little trouble finding this production on IMDB because I was looking for a recent entry, I find it hard to believe this movie is 14 yrs old as I write this. David Suchet is ageless. I won't so much comment on this episode as I will on the series in general. There are some who think a 2 hr Poirot movie is about 1 hr too long. I don't agree. For those of us who appreciate beautiful and intriguing locations - this is it. For those who appreciate period planes, cars, and especially wardrobe - this is it. There is a flavor and atmosphere about this series that reminds one of the Jeremy Brett version of Sherlock Holmes or The Great Gatsby. Not so much the period as the loving attention to detail.

I admit that these entries can be hard to follow. If you have a tendency to nod out or run to the fridge for a snack, you will probably lose it. If you are looking for blood and gore or high energy explosions, tune into the latest Bruce Willis flick. Poirot makes you think. You have no choice. A&E has been importing these English mysteries to the US for years. Film food for thinking people. If the Brits can do it, why can't we. Hollywood was the benchmark for quality film production since the silent days. Today, our movies are digitized and cartoon like. We have forgotten how to tell a story. We have sacrificed originality and quality for the corporate bottom line. Shame on us.

As for this particular story, it's as convoluted as the others. We have the whole ensemble. Poirot, Hastings, Miss Lemon, and Inspector Giapp. As for the other principals, they are competent and professional - just as you would expect. One little quirk worth mentioning. Although the female leads are interesting to watch, they usually fall into one of two categories. They are either cute and coquettish or intimidating and horsey. This movie is no exception. This is not a criticism, it's a compliment. It disproves the theory that you have to inject a traditional sexpot into the movie to fill some kind of void.

These imports along with Inspector Frost, Inspector Barnaby, Sherlock Holmes, Cracker, and a few others provide a touch of class that we seem to have lost. I urge anyone who needs a break from the mindless junk we are being fed in prime time, to tune in. You will be rewarded - and with luck, be transported back to a kinder and gentler time when a mystery was a mystery.

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!

Usually you get a few noticeable clues in each Poirot episode which enables you to solve some (if not most or all) of the puzzle before Poirot reveals all.

Not so in this exciting tale (the clues are extremely subtle) but "Peril At End House" is still great fun. There are several twists which will leave you guessing till the end.

It is also worth mentioning the scenery in this episode, which is simply marvellous! Fans of Hastings, Japp and Miss Lemon certainly won't be disappointed as they all have significant roles in "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.

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