HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS

UK, 1994, 103 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Philip Jackson, Vernon.Dobcheff, Simon Roberts, Brian Gaspari, Sasha Bihar, Mark Tandy, Olga Lowe.
Directed by Edward Bennett.

The setting is attractive in itself, but it does not relate in any substantial way to the plot and its development.

There is a rather lengthy prologue in South Africa, two diamond miners in 1896, one greedy and vengeful, killing the other, being rescued in the desert by a woman whom he exploits.

The setting moves to 40 years on, the miner now a crotchety old man in a wheelchair, disliked by his family, with an exploitative reputation. However, he invites Poirot to spend Christmas with him to be on the alert (and Poirot, whose heating system has collapsed and can’t be fixed until after Christmas, accepts!).

The old man is killed, in a room locked from the inside. His three sons are the main suspects along with a granddaughter who has come from Spain. There is also a suspicious worker in the house.

When Poirot explains the solution to the gathered group, he gives a plausible hypothesis for each of them to be guilty. Also present is the local police superintendent – with quite a complicated solution concerning him and the woman from South Africa who has come to England. A rather ingenious plot.

Character actor, Vernon Dobcheff, is very effective as the unlikeable victim.

1. The title, the Christmas setting – not immediately relevant to the plot? But a pleasant setting for the murders?

2. The popularity of Agatha Christie’s mysteries? The television series with David Suchet?

3. The prologue, diamond mining in South Africa, 1896, Simeon Lee and his partner, greed, the murder, wounded, through the desert, Stella finding him, helping him recuperate, her not being married, birthmark, the sexual encounter, his abandoning her?

4. 40 years later, Simeon Lee, old, wheelchair-bound, angry, his family disliking him, the uncut diamonds and his safe, his phoning Poirot, inviting him to his house for Christmas? His fears?

5. Poirot, the heater not working, accepting the invitation, travel, listening to Harry and Pilar and their comments, arriving at the house, the house guest, the reaction of the family, settling in?

6. Harry and Pilar, meeting on the train, nephew and niece? Harry the bad sheep returning? William and Magdalene, their presence, dependence on the father, petulant manner? Alfred and Lydia, living in the house, dependent? The range of the staff, Tresilian and his years of service, Horbury and his suspicious behaviour, the maids?

7. Simeon summoning the family, the changing of his will? The visit of Inspector Sugden, the charity appeal, his return? Investigating the case? Collaborating with Poirot? Poirot visiting Chief Inspector Japp? Hs listening to his in-laws singing, his escape, investigating the case?

8. The dinner, the arguments, after dinner, William and his phone call, Magdalene and her phone call, Lydia going to the door? The sounds from the room? Simeon’s death, bashing the door down, the remnants of the balloon?

9. The investigations, Poirot and the Christmas gifts, the novelty store? Having tea with Magdalene, the secrets?

10. Pilar, the attempt on her life?

11. The characters of each of the family, Harry and his carefree attitude, absences? William, Parliament, marrying a young woman, perpetually indignant? Alfred, quiet, Lydia nice person, the miniature gardens – but the diamonds in the garden?

12. The complexities of the investigation, Sugden and his work, the Chief Inspector and his theories?

13. The older Stella, her presence in the town, seen at the hotel?

14. Poirot, assembling the group, the various hypotheses that they could all be guilty, William and the phone calls, Magdalene and her call, Alfred and the possibility of discussing with William, Lydia and her presence? Harry and Pilar? The revelation that Pilar was an impersonator?

15. The explanation of how the crime was done, the setting up of the ropes, the balloon novelty and its sound? The perpetrator leaving, returning, pulling the ropes?

16. The portrait of Simeon Lee? His being murdered by a blood relative? The revelation that Sugden was Stella’s son? His killing his father? The meeting with his mother? Her vengeance?

17. Not exactly a Christmas story but an ingenious plot?