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Poirot
S3.E6
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IMDbPro

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor

  • Episode aired Feb 3, 1991
  • TV-14
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
David Suchet and Geoffrey Swann in Poirot (1989)
Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Tragedy Of Marsdon Manor
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
36 Photos
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

Poirot is drawn into a case where a man is found dead on the grounds of his estate, apparently frightened to death by the spirits that haunt it.Poirot is drawn into a case where a man is found dead on the grounds of his estate, apparently frightened to death by the spirits that haunt it.Poirot is drawn into a case where a man is found dead on the grounds of his estate, apparently frightened to death by the spirits that haunt it.

  • Director
    • Renny Rye
  • Writers
    • David Renwick
    • Agatha Christie
  • Stars
    • David Suchet
    • Hugh Fraser
    • Philip Jackson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Renny Rye
    • Writers
      • David Renwick
      • Agatha Christie
    • Stars
      • David Suchet
      • Hugh Fraser
      • Philip Jackson
    • 15User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Tragedy Of Marsdon Manor
    Trailer 1:33
    Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Tragedy Of Marsdon Manor

    Photos35

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    Top cast15

    Edit
    David Suchet
    David Suchet
    • Hercule Poirot
    Hugh Fraser
    Hugh Fraser
    • Captain Hastings
    Philip Jackson
    Philip Jackson
    • Chief Inspector Japp
    Ian McCulloch
    Ian McCulloch
    • Jonathan Maltravers
    Geraldine Alexander
    Geraldine Alexander
    • Susan Maltravers
    Alastair Duncan
    Alastair Duncan
    • Captain Black
    • (as Neil Duncan)
    Anita Carey
    • Miss Rawlinson
    Desmond Barrit
    Desmond Barrit
    • Samuel Naughton
    Ralph Watson
    Ralph Watson
    • Danvers
    Edward Jewesbury
    Edward Jewesbury
    • Dr Bernard
    Geoffrey Swann
    • Police Sergeant
    Hilary Sesta
    • Doctor's Receptionist
    David Lloyd
    • Museum Attendant
    Pat Keen
    Pat Keen
    • Civil Defence Organiser
    Richard Bebb
    • Newsreader
    • (voice)
    • Director
      • Renny Rye
    • Writers
      • David Renwick
      • Agatha Christie
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    7.61.6K
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    Featured reviews

    8blanche-2

    a fun episode and a real mystery

    From 1991, "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor" is an excellent Poirot, with he and Hastings headed to meet a man who has a case for them to solve. When they arrive at the hotel where they are to meet him, they learn he has a case all right -- his own. He's written a book, has written his characters into a corner and wants Poirot to help him come up with an ending. Poirot is livid.

    However, a real case does appear, that of the death of the owner of Marsdon Manor, Jonathan Travers. He was suffering from an ulcer and is found dead. His wife, Susan, insists that he died of fright and that the grounds are haunted by the ghost of a young woman who was killed there. In fact, Mrs. Maltravers is terrified and keeps seeing her sitting in a tree. It looks like a good case for Poirot.

    Really delightful, with Poirot visiting himself in the local wax museum and also visiting a doctor to learn about the late man's condition. When he announces his name to the receptionist, she tells the doctor, "Doctor, there is a gentleman outside who is suffering from Hercule Poirot." With Suchet as Poirot, there is no such thing as suffering.
    10Sleepin_Dragon

    One of my all time favourites

    I would list the Tragedy at Marsdon Manor as one of my favourite Poirot episodes. It has so much to it, so many wonderful ingredients in the mix, great characters, great location, humour, a supernatural element, and of course we see Poirot's ego take a small beating.

    I can't fault the story at all, it's so clever, so detailed, you wonder how the murderer could possibly have done it, and what possible motive they'd have had. I love the ending, the way it's put together and played out. Poirot is at his very best, his grey cells are put to good use as he discovers the flaw in the evidence.

    It's visually very appealing, the house and location work look superb. I especially enjoyed the scenes where the villagers are receiving gas mask training, the authenticity is exceptional.

    Terrific performances, Geraldine Alexander is fantastic, no stranger to quality Agatha Christie dramas of course, how her character differs here to the soft Gwenny in Sleeping Murder.

    I loved Poirot's scenes with the Hotel owner, that whole conversation about kippers and Grimsby is hilarious, you can see David Renwick's influence on the writing, truly very funny.

    One of my favourites. 10/10
    8grantss

    Intriguing

    Poirot and Hastings visit the village of Marsden Leigh, at the request of the local hotel owner, Samuel Naughton. Poirot thinks he has been invited down to solve a crime but is disappointed to discover that Mr Naughton simply wants him to read the draft of his book, a murder novel. Poirot's disappointment is compounded when, out of boredom, he reads the book and discovers that the crime is unsolvable! Fortunately, or unfortunately, for Poirot an actual murder has just been committed, at nearby Marsdon Manor, and he police seek Poirot's assistance. The owner, Jonathan Maltravers, was found dead under a tree, a tree that is believed to be haunted, leading to the suspicion that he was frightened to death. Poirot immediately ascertains that foul play was involved, and calls in Chief Inspector Japp.

    Quite intriguing, with a few good twists and turns. The ultimate clue is quite clever too. Not easy to tell for sure who the murderer is, though the suspect list is quite short.

    Some good sub-plots too, in particular the crime novel/novelist and the wax museum.

    The climax feels a bit contrived though, and takes some of the shine off the episode.
    8planktonrules

    Visions of the dead?!

    When the story begins, Susan Maltravers appears to be a bit of an...eccentric. She claims that the blackbirds are screaming at her and that they are the spirit of some woman who killed herself many years ago on the property. And, throughout the story, she seems very odd to say the least.

    One day, Mrs. Maltravers' sickly husband is found dead near that same tree where she claimed blackbirds were screaming at her. Naturally, Poirot investigates and comes up with some startling results...of which you'll have to see for yourself!

    This is a decent installment of "Poirot" and although the ending didn't surprise me too much, it was an interesting story and is well worth seeing.
    9TheLittleSongbird

    A fine episode to the series

    The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor isn't my personal favourite but it is one of them. It is very atmospheric and has some funny little things too("Doctor, there is a gentleman outside who seems to be suffering from Hercule Poirot" is one of the funniest moments in a Poirot episode). Plus it is very well made with beautiful production values and fluid photography, almost film-noir-like, and the music is very good. As is the writing and the story is never less than compelling. The direction is good enough, while the acting especially from David Suchet who is yet to give a bad performance as Poirot is excellent. So all in all, a fine episode and one of the best. 9/10 Bethany Cox

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Agatha Christie story this episode is based on is found in the book 'Poirot Investigates' and is only 18 pages long.
    • Goofs
      Susan Maltravers says she was working on her watercolors when the tragedy happened. Her painting is not a watercolor. It has too much detail and the lines are too crisp. The painting is either oil or acrylic.
    • Quotes

      Samuel Naughton: Was the accommodation all right?

      Hercule Poirot: No, Monsieur Naughton, the accommodation was all wrong.

      Samuel Naughton: Oh.

      Hercule Poirot: The duck feather pillows; I fear the little ducks are still in them.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 3, 1991 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official site
      • Official Website - SonyLIV
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Sennowe Hall, Norfolk, England, UK(Marsdon Manor)
    • Production companies
      • Granada
      • London Weekend Television (LWT)
      • Carnival Film & Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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