The Hollow

Just after complaining that I found Death on the Nile to be a little telegraphed and obvious, the 9th season comes to a close with an episode which is nothing of the sort and features a nice mystery where the floor is open and nothing is given away too easily. Within the base elements of this case is the feeling that everything is a little too neat, and a little too balanced to really convince as a real situation. Within the film, this is very well presented by virtue of the actual murder scene almost being a frozen tableau when we (and Poirot) come across it – indeed there is a certain comedic edge to it as Poirot assumes that it is a game, so staged and unnatural does it seem. This very striking image I found most pleasing visually, but that it folds well into the theme of the episode made it work even better.

From here we have an engaging and quite satisfying mystery; with plenty going on, but not so much that the viewer feels they are being deliberately swamped. Technically it is very well delivered, with a consistent sense of pace and style to it – always feeling that slightly browning, crisp way of an English Autumn in the look and feel of the delivery. The pacing of the delivery is important and I enjoyed here how well it seemed to let things bed in, not giving them too long nor rushing them off the screen in favor of the next thing. The cast help this feeling and there is a real sense of quality with Dodds, Miles, Fox and others all in good turns.

In the end it is satisfyingly concluded and delivered in the normal way, making for an enjoyable and very well presented Poirot.

I hadn't read the book for a couple of months prior to seeing this, but while I enjoyed it I never considered it a favourite. While not the best Poirot, The Hollow is a rock solid adaptation, and is remarkably true to the book. Midge and Edward's relationship development is a little too out of the blue, my only criticism of the adaptation, but I loved the Hollow's serious and dark tone while maintaining some dark, subtle humour too. The story does have moments when it is thin, but it is still involving and suspenseful, and standout scenes have to be the face to face confrontations between Henrietta and Poirot and of course the final solution. The adaptation is exquisite to watch with terrific production values, and the music is a nice touch. The acting is excellent as per usual, David Suchet is impeccable as the eccentric Poirot, while Megan Dodds is breathtakingly-beautiful as Henrietta, Jonathan Cake is suitably loathsome as John Cristow and Sherlock Holmes's Edward Hardwicke is an inspired piece of casting as Sir Henry. Overall, a solid adaptation and wonderful to watch. 9/10 Bethany Cox

I really love the book and the TV adaptation is truthful and is nearly perfect in how I imagined the characters and the settings. The casting was perfect overall, only Sarah Miles as Lady Angkatell was terribly miscast. I loved Lucy Angkatell in the book, she is a very original character, airy, charming, elegant, etc. Sarah Miles´ lady Angkatell was like (and looked like) a mad housekeeper. No charm, no lightness, no elegance, heavy-handed. When the story started and she wandered into Midge´s room in the morning, I was horrified and said: THIS cant be Lucy Angkatell, no way. Unfortunately, she was. She really looked like a house-keeper or a mad relative you keep in your home out of pity. No elegance, no charm, no wit. Awful casting.

I liked the others (the actors who portrayed the characters), Edward was perfect, just how I imagined him. Henrietta was ok, and Veronica Cry was proper hollywood-type beautiful. Midge was good, Gerda was perfection. Gudgeon was really good, but too young, I imagined him older a bit.

I liked the settings, but more the outdoor country than the inside.

I enjoyed this adaptation as the book is one of my favorites. David Suchet as Poirot is the best, altough he was not pivotal to the story. As someone mentioned, this is more of a drama than a detective story.

Excellent work all around especially by the actress who played the wife Gerda (Claire Price) as well, of course, as David Suchet. I did really figure out whodunit but that is beside the point. The ending, which I won't divulge (someone describes it on the Board in answer to someone else's question if you are interested.) I found really sad. Despite Agatha Christie's reputation for writing cardboard characters, I thought these really well-rounded by and large.

The pacing of the story was good and I enjoyed seeing Sarah Miles as Lucy and Edward Hardwicke (Cedric's son I believe in addition to being a well-known Dr. Watson.)) as her husband.

Poirot comes upon a tableau of women around a recently shot doctor, who dies at his feet. Has he come upon a murder or a conspiracy?

He is hampered by a challenging young artist, pretty but snarky, who seems to have taken against Poirot from the get-go and brazenly tosses the murder weapon on the swimming pool.

Once again, the series is able to draw an impressive cast including Edward Hardwicke and Sarah Miles, the latter whose scatty non sequiturs provide much of the episode's entertainment. But having recently watched, once again, "The Day of the Jackal," it's disappointing to see Edward Fox (whose brother James appeared as Colonel Race in "Death on the Nile") reduced to the mysterious butler.

Just when you want to bail on "Poirot" a first-class episode like this one comes along. I haven't read the book so I can't testify as to its accuracy but it's well-crafted all the same.