Possibly the best of Poirot cases
<The ABC Murders> in my opinion is one of the better Poirot mystery novels and it transfers very well to the screen. First of all do not confuse it with the horrible film "The Alphabet Murders" with Tony Randall. This is a fairly faithful adaptation of the Christie novel that has Poirot and Chief Inspector Japp chasing after a serial killer who matches the initials of his victims with the name of the town in which they are killed. And although the murderer turns out to be not exactly the least likely suspect, there are enough red herrings--one gigantic, the rest minor--to keep you guessing until the inevitable scene in which all concerned are gathered in one place to hear how the Master has solved it all.
There is a bit of nonsense with Hastings' stuffed souvenir of the South American jungles and the last murder is shown but its purpose is not explained as it is in the original.
Suchet is as always absolutely "into" the role (so much so...
Appalling Bloodshed and Cedric, the Caiman.
"The little grey cells, I fear, they grow the rust," Hercule Poirot regretfully tells his friend Captain Hastings upon welcoming him back from a South American vacation. No case has kept him busy, nothing interesting has happened at all. Now that Hastings is back, however, things will be different again: "But it must be no common affair, Hastings. It must be something recherche. Delicate. Fine."
And just such a case is about to begin; in fact, it will turn out be one of Poirot's most difficult ever. Because at this point, he has already received the first of what will be an entire series of letters from an apparent serial killer, brazenly announcing his crimes and taunting Poirot to catch him. In fact, this is the very day the first murder is supposed to take place, in the town of Andover, about 50 miles west of London - and in short order, a woman whose initials are A.A. is indeed found murdered there. Then, also as advised by the killer, a murder occurs in the...
A chilling, fascinating story
Possibly the most unique and intriguing Hercule Poirot mystery ever. I was skeptical about this after seeing the frankly abysmal "Alphabet Murders." Turns out they mutilated the plot for that horrible movie-this is ABC Murders as Christie meant it to be seen.
Poirot receives a strange letter that hints at a murder in a town starting with the letter A. Followed by B. Followed by C... is this only a random serial killer who is so full of himself that he is taunting the brilliant Belgian? Or is something more hideous and sinister going on? Four seemingly unconnected murders, and Poirot must discover the MOTIVE before he can hope to unmask a killer.
Adding to the swirly mix is a mysterious, meek man who hears voices and does what he is told. Is he the murderer? Or is it even MORE complex?
Suchet is in fine form here, as is the clueless but pleasant Captain Hastings. The actors and script are top-notch as usual, but the director really outdid himself with the...
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