Poirot, Set 12

Starring:Poirot
Studio: Acorn Media
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

David Suchet returns as Agatha Christie's eccentric Belgian sleuth. Acorn Media productions of Christie's classic novels are always lovingly done, and this set is no exception. All three mysteries are well acted, shot in beautiful locations, and manage to fold in a little dry humor with the ghastly business at hand. "The King of Clubs" involves murder on a film set and just might have something to do with a game of bridge. In "The Dream" Poirot is called in to consult with a wealthy industrialist before a murder has even occurred. One does, of course, and there is also a gratifying call-everyone-together-in-one-room-so-the-detective-can-explain-everything scene. The Incredible Theft has a terrific pre-war flavor, and in this episode it's no mere murder--the very future of England is at stake! Suchet is a perfect Poirot, capturing the detective's faint ridiculousness without losing his very serious distaste for murder. Curl up with a hot cup of tea and enjoy. --Ali Davis

Description

Armed with only his "little grey cells," Hercule Poirot wrestles evil to the ground without mussing so much as a hair of his famously sculpted moustache. Agatha Christie's eccentric but endearing Belgian detective made her the bestselling author of her day. In this British production starring David Suchet, Poirot became a television phenomenon, capturing the hearts of millions on both PBS and A&E. Set in and around elegant, upper-crust 1930s London, the series also stars Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon.

The King of Clubs—When Poirot and Hastings confront a murder in the movie-making community, a playing card found near the body is their only clue. The Dream—A wealthy man asks Poirot to investigate even though nothing has happened but a recurring bad dream. The Incredible Theft—Poirot takes on a case of national importance when secret plans for a military combat aircraft disappear.

Customer Reviews:

running out of believable plots.......2005-01-05

The British television industry has such an appetite for detective stories that the script writers are running out of quality, believable plots. This may not bother you if you view this series to enjoy the eccentric characters. Others will have to use their "suspended disbelief" mode of viewing to not get disappointed. Fans of the original Agatha Christie novels will be disappointed. One example of the disbelief being needed is when the police, the medical examiner, and Poirot fail to examine a crime scene and corpse for basic physical evidence, such as bruising, powder burns, and bullet trajectories, and jump to the wrong conclusion.

This set of programs comes from the time when British television viewers started complaining that the BBC programming was being dumbed down.

At last, the series complete.......2002-03-25

At last. With the appearance of the 3 tapes that comprise "Poirot, Set 12," the Acorn Media series of releases of all the Poirot episodes is now available, the short episodes on tape only but soon to be released on DVD and the longer episodes in both formats.

The three stories in this last set are a cut above average (and that average is pretty high in this series). "The King of Clubs" involves the murder of a detestable film producer and opens with a very funny and technically fascinating sequence of a movie set during the era of the early talkies. Note especially the use of matte for special effects. While you might find the "solution" not quite satisfying, the whole thing is a lot of fun.

"The Dream" suffers as most television versions do of stories that involve one character made up to resemble another one. A little subplot is added concerning Miss Lemon's need for a decent typewriter and Poirot's strangely obtuse reaction to her demands. Again the opening sequence around the assembly line of a great pie factory with its female workers in fetching blue and white uniforms is beautifully done.

"The Incredible Theft" does have a double turn of events at the end and a pretty good car chase preceding it. And it is in this episode that we learn from Hastings that Chief Inspector Japp talks in his sleep as he relives past arrests!

It is little touches like this that have made the series such a success, not to mention the fine acting of leading and supporting actors and the impeccable period designs. Set 12 is a worthy ending to a fine set of video recordings from Acorn Media.

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