A Murder is Announced (3)

(Review is of all three parts).

Someone has placed a notice in the local paper, stating where and when a murder will be committed. At the time and place - a dinner party at Miss Blacklock's house - the lights go out and a masked man enters waving a torch and threatening the attendees. He is then shot dead.

A highly intriguing and engaging Miss Marple mystery. Some wonderfully drawn characters, some of whom provide great comedic value, all played extremely well. John Castle is fantastic as Detective Inspector Craddock, providing great gravitas, calmness and sense of authority.

The interesting feature of the cast is Kevin Whately as Craddock's sidekick, Detective Sergeant Fletcher. Two years later he would star as DS Lewis in Morse, a role he would be seen in for the next 13 years. The character of Lewis then got his own series, Lewis.

One of the better cases in the Miss Marple series.

Another remembered sequence, and another death, Miss Marple has to work hard to put the pieces together to prevent another killing.

The Miss Marple series in general is outstanding, and this is one of the very best, it's an exquisite adaptation, and it ends in real style. Very accurate from the book, this is sad, moving, dramatic and powerful. Nobody did drama quite like The BBC at this time.

That murder scene, haunted me as a child, I had parents that would allow me to watch Miss Marple with them, I point blank refused to help with the washing after that, quite a harrowing moment, especially whe you think of how sweet and innocent the victim is.

The unveiling of the killer, what a scene, there's nothing like a crazed psychopath getting caught in the act, it's fantastic moment.

You have to credit Agatha Christie, penning a lesbian couple, one in a small village at that, and I'll give credit to The BBC, it's 1985, and you just didn't see gay couples on the box, whilst their on screen relationship is very subtle, it's very much there. Hinchcliffe deriding men as dirty dogs, that's funny.

The period detail once again is incredible, Miss Murgatroyd's van for example looks amazing, the clothes and sets are tremendous, a time where The BBC ruled when it came to period drama.

Once again, take your pick to highlight the star performer, there are several contenders, but two I have to highlight, Paola Dionisotti and Ursula Howells, both get big moments, both put in big performances.

Flawless drama.

ITV would remake it with Geraldine McEwan, and whilst I'd suggest it's not as good as this adaptation, it's still very good.

10/10.