The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor

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.

Like many of the Poirot episodes, this came from a short story, and the writers needed to invent a number of details in order to fill things out. In this case they chose to add details both spooky and silly. On the spooky side, the wife of the dead man seems to be obsessed with the ghosts that allegedly haunt the house. The atmosphere is made darker through the effective use of both the soundtrack and an especially sinister looking cedar tree. On the other hand, comic relief comes in by way of a local innkeeper who invites Poirot and Hastings to have a look at the mystery novel he's in the middle of writing. Add in a painting and a local wax museum (where a room with statues of Poirot and Charlie Chaplin provides an excellent backdrop for the amusing final moments of the episode) and you have all the elements of a charming case for our favorite detective to solve.

Hercule Poirot enjoys his visits to estates and stays at country manors. But, put him in the rural town and local lodging, and he is out of his element. For, Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective is not a country boy. As in some other episodes, when he has to deal with the smells and droppings of animals in the middle of town, Poirot's patience and normally genteel manner are tested in "The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor."

This is a fine mystery with much intrigue. But now add a local inn proprietor, Samuel Naughton, who is a writer of mysteries and it's almost too much to ask of Poirot to keep his calm. All is not lost, though because Naughton is a source of information as well as a good-hearted chap who helps lend some comedy to this episode.

Otherwise, it would tend to be dark. Is there haunting at the old manor, as a legend has it? Is there something of the occult that Susan Maltravers encounters? The music in this episode reminds one of the constant threatening undertone in the movie, "Jaws." Poirot solves a murder of a most unique method.

Here are a couple favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the episode film.

Captain Hastings, "Ah, Poirot. Sleep well?" Hercule Poirot, "Like a top, Hastings. I am turning and spinning all of the night."

Innkeeper, Samuel Naughton, "Was the accommodation all right?" Hercule Poirot, "No, Monsieur Naughton. The accommodation was all wrong. The duck feather pillows - I fear the little ducks are still in them."

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.

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