Curtain: Poirot's Last Case
- Episode aired Aug 25, 2014
- TV-PG
- 1h 29m
An ailing Poirot returns to Styles with Hastings nearly three decades after solving their first mystery there in order to prevent a serial killer from claiming more victims.An ailing Poirot returns to Styles with Hastings nearly three decades after solving their first mystery there in order to prevent a serial killer from claiming more victims.An ailing Poirot returns to Styles with Hastings nearly three decades after solving their first mystery there in order to prevent a serial killer from claiming more victims.
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Featured reviews
The setting was drab and dark, yes, but that, I think, was part of the point. A sumptuous, beautiful setting, like that seen in Five Little Pigs, would've seemed out of place. Styles is a decayed, dying home, a shadow of itself -- and so, it seems, is Poirot.
Closer observers of UK television and movies might recognize members of the cast and comment on their ability to carry off their roles. I can only say that I thought all the actors did, at minimum, competent jobs. Hugh Fraser and Aidan McArdie deserve particular commendation for turning in wonderful performances. It nearly goes without saying that David Suchet proves, yet again, why he is the definitive Poirot.
The expectations for this episode were tremendous. I'd say that the production did an excellent job satisfying Christie purists, an easier task given that she wrote this at the height of her powers. A wonderful way to close out a wonderful series, n'est pas?
A fittingly brilliant ending to a wonderful series, 10/10
Did you know
- TriviaThe "Curtain: Poirot's Last Case" by Dame Agatha Christie was actually written during World War II but knowing it would he the last book involving the beloved Belgian detective, Ms. Christie had it sealed in a vault along with the novel "Sleeping Murder" (the last "Miss Marple" novel) with plans to have them published at or near the end of her life when she would no longer be able to write. Four months after "Curtain" was published Dame Agatha Christie died but since the novel was generally well-received critically, she gave permission for "Sleeping Murder" to be published the following year in 1976 which she would never see.
- GoofsHastings states that he first met Poirot at Styles. In The Mysterious affair at Styles he says that he first met with Poirot in Belgium and he is in fact acquainted with Poirot before he arrives at Styles.
- Quotes
Hercule Poirot: [laying out newspaper clips] Madame Constance Etherington, tried for the poisoning of her husband, a man who was very sadistic but also addicted to the drugs, and with whom you were on terms most intimate. Norah Sharples, poisoned by her niece, Freda Clay...
Stephen Norton: I hope you're not s-suggesting I was on intimate terms with *her*.
Hercule Poirot: [lays out a photograph] You and Mademoiselle Clay taking a walk together. You see, I do my homework, Monsieur Norton. And... Matthew Litchfield. Now you visited him, did you not, on the night he was killed by his daughter Margaret.
Stephen Norton: What is your p-point, Monsieur Poirot?
Hercule Poirot: My point is this, Monsieur Norton: That in none of these murders was there any real doubt - there was one clear suspect and no other - but you, Monsieur Norton, are the one factor malevolent common to all.
Stephen Norton: [scoffs] Oh d-dear, Monsieur Poirot, is that the b-best your "l-little gray cells" can come up with?
Hercule Poirot: Your proximity to these three murders was too much of a coincidence, and I smelt, as you say, the rat! That is why I came to Styles, to observe you function, and you have not disappointed, monsieur. No, you are a man who is very clever, but not clever enough for Hercule Poirot.
Stephen Norton: So... what are you going to d-do about it?
Hercule Poirot: Execute you.
Stephen Norton: [incredulous] Execute me?
Hercule Poirot: Oui.
Stephen Norton: [mockingly looks at his watch] Then d-do get on with it. I p-promised myself an early night.
Hercule Poirot: Justice is no joking matter, monsieur. I do what I can to serve it, but if I fail, there is a justice that is higher, believe me!
Stephen Norton: [sneering] You p-pathetic, self-important little man. Murder me? There's a mortal sin if ever there was. And then what? Suicide to escape the ignominy of hanging? Ah... your G-God will give you a hell of a time. All those years of piety, up in smoke because of me.
[Poirot has an angina attack, begins gasping]
Stephen Norton: Ah ah ah, monsieur, you c-can't go yet. You don't think I'd let you d-die on me, d-d-deprive me of my ultimate t-triumph?
Hercule Poirot: [gasping for breath] Please... please...
Stephen Norton: You see, if you d-don't succeed, I'm a free man. And even if you do, it will still be a v-victory of sorts, because in the eyes of the law, I would be innocent, whereas you and your reputation, your p-precious reputation... b-blown to bits.
Hercule Poirot: [gasping] Je vous en prie!
Stephen Norton: [mockingly] "Je vous en prie"... you can see them now. "Went off his rocker. In the end, you can never trust a foreigner."
[pops the amyl phial, and Poirot inhales it]
Stephen Norton: You see how good I am to you, old man? There we go. Take your t-time, and see how it all p-pans out, shall we?
[sing-song voice]
Stephen Norton: Who will be there at the final curtain?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Gogglebox: Episode #2.9 (2013)
Details
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- Filming locations
- Shirburn Castle, Watlington, Oxfordshire, England, UK(Styles Court)
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- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1