DEAD MAN’S FOLLY

UK, 2013, 89 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Sean Pertwee, Chris Gordon, Richard Dixon, Sinead Cusack, Rebecca Front, Zoe Wanamaker, Stephanie Leonidas, James Anderson, Elliot Barnes- Worrell, Ella Geraghty, Sam Kelly, Martin Jarvis, Rosalind Ayres.
Directed by Tom Vaughan.

Dead Man’s Folly is one of the six films with Peter Ustinov as Poirot, released in 1985.

This version is one of the very last in the television series, 70 films, of Agatha Christie Poirot mysteries featuring David Suchet.

As in some of the other episodes, the partner in investigation is the novelist, Ariadne Oliver, played by Zoe Wanamaker. Here she is devising a murder hunt for a fair but is suspicious and invites Poirot to Devon – and the film was shot in Agatha Christie’s own home, later owned by the National Trust.

The actual murder occurs later in the film and the unanticipated victim is a 14-year-old Girl Scout. However, there are numerous suspects, a great number of unanticipated complications, two more murders, including the father of the girl – with, of course, Poirot explaining everything. At the centre of the events is Sean Pertwee as the man who has just bought the mansion and Sinead Cusack as the widow of the former owner allowed to live on in a small house on the property.

There are both heavily involved in the mystery.

1. The title? Architecture and design? The actual folly and its role in the plot?

2. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? This film as one of the last in the television series with David Suchet?

3. The Devonshire setting, the mansion and grounds, the countryside? Exteriors and interiors? The atmosphere of the fair, the entertainment and attractions, the mystery hunt? The boat shed? The scenes by the river? The musical score?

4. The reappearance of Ariadne Oliver? As author? Invited to invent the hunt? Her suspicions, inviting Poirot to Devonshire? The relationship between the two, murders, clues, solutions? The explanation of the situation, the hunt, various people changing clues and victims?

5. The house, Sir George Stubbs, his rough style, his wife, childlike, simple, hypochondriac? His buying a house? Its history? Mrs Folliat and her history, the ownership of the house, her being allowed to stay in the small home?

6. The various others at the fair, the architect and his flirtations, business associates, political connections?

7. Meals, discussions, Poirot and his observations? The mysterious behaviour of Hattie? And her disappearances?

8. Hitchhikers, getting the lift with Poirot, the conversations, the reappearance? And the irony of the hitchhikers and the disguise for Hattie?

9. Poirot and his conversations with Mrs Folliat, the explanation of the history of the family? Her concealing the truths? The final interview and her admitting the truth?

10. The hunt, the various clues, participants, the fortuneteller and Poirot discussing with her? The local girl, the Girl Scouts, the walk returns and introducing her? The secretary and her suspicious behaviour? The irony that the murder victim was the young girl?

11. Poirot, his discussions with the boatman, the ironic remarks, his being the father of the dead girl, his own death, attributed to drink?

12. Poirot unravelling the mystery? The revelation about George Stubbs, his being the wayward son, his return, buying the family house, enabling his mother to stay? His marriage to Hattie, the complications of his relationships? The murder of his wife? The arrival of the cousin? Hattie’s disappearance? The backpackers and Hattie’s disguise and cover? The cousin, mysterious visitor, arriving, under suspicion? Prison?

13. Poirot, with Mrs Oliver, the explanation of the complexities, the arrest of Sir George Stubbs? His mother willing to face justice?