I'm not that fussed if they play with the source material either only that it works (which it normally doesn't) and really all I'm looking for is something that works and entertains me. It is not that I am particularly in love with the older BBC version either, just that some of the ITV ones are awful with terrible hammy acting trying to cover up the lack of substance and interest in the actual plot. I have not always been a massive fan of the Marple films and indeed I have been quite harsh about some of them. All clues point to Nevile Strange and the police feel they have their man but Miss Marple, in her usual discrete way, has other suspicions. However when Mr Treves is found dead, seemingly from an heart attack and Lady Tressilian herself is bludgeoned to death things get interesting very quickly. Even without a crime, Miss Marple cannot help be transfixed by the relationship dynamics within this group. There is tennis player Nevile Strange with his new wife Kay, Nevile's former wife Audrey, her childhood friend and cousin, a younger man attracted to Kay and a retired solicitor, Mr Treves. Miss Marple is visiting her old friend Lady Tressilian and, while she knows Camilla is a strange old bird, the other house guests are just as odd a bunch. Worth watching for the brilliance of Tom Baker alone. The first 25 minutes is a little on the slow side, but it opens up brilliantly. Very well made and intriguing, it's a dark story. The funniest scene must be Donald jumping up onto Miss Marple, he's so naughty. Watching the reactions on everyone's face is great. Some great scenes, the best one being Freddie Treves telling the story of the two boys playing with bows and arrows, one shot the other, it's a real change in tone, beautifully acted. For someone that's not read the book it's a very pleasing mystery, and the identity of the killer(s) is a surprise. The settings are glorious, the coast line and beaches look really rather wonderful. The acting elsewhere is excellent, just that some of the characters aren't that likable. Wonderful to see Tom Baker here too, Freddie Treves is pretty bland in the book, Tom injects his magic into him and makes him very interesting. The accomplished Eileen Atkins is wonderful as the bed ridden cigar smoking Lady Tressilian, her irritation of Miss Marple is great. Beautifully acted it boasts some excellent performances. Miss Marple fits in to the story with ease, it's like it was written for her, so little of the plot is actually changed, due in part I would think to Kevin Elyot, such a good writer. Some episodes have been guilty of looking wonderful, but lacking a little something, in this one they managed to keep the true essence of the story, altering very little, and making it look beautiful.
0 kommentar(er)
