WASPS' NEST
UK, 1991 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Martin Turner, Melanie Jessop, Peter Capaldi
Directed by Brian Farnham.
This is a short story, an early film from the 70-series for television of Agatha Christie stories with David Suchet as Poirot.
This is a rather mild a story. It is not so much a story of a murder but as the prevention of a murder. It involves a friend of Poirot, his relationship with his fiancee and her relationship with a past lover. The friend has a property and is trying to destroy a wasps’ nest in a tree, inviting his associate to remove the nest. This involves strychnine, the possibility of a murder, the potential for suicide. Poirot is able to talk with his friend, who has a terminal illness, and persuade him that he is not a killer.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series with David Suchet as Poirot?
2. A short story, a seeming murder scenario, a different angle on murder and intentions?
3. The country house and the grounds, the tree and the wasps? The local fair, clowns, children…? The world of fashion, modelling?
4. Poirot and Hastings, the long friendship, Hastings and his new camera, clicking everything, Molly Dean, development of the photos, the bathroom…? Accompanying Poirot in the investigations?
5. Inspector Japp, chief inspector, his illness, collapse, hospital?
6. Poirot and his friendship with John Harrison, Harrison and his classical studies, his writings? His relationship with Molly? The friendship with Claude? At the fair? The revelation that Molly was Claude’s girlfriend? The news of Molly’s car breakdown? His wanting Claude to get rid of the wasps? The encounter with this lemon? The information about his terminal illness? The doctor? Poirot’s inquiries?
7. Claude, playing the clown, artist, getting rid of the wasps? Bringing the poison? The break with Molly? The continued relationship, the deception?
8. Molly, the model, the world fashion, the fashion show, relationship with John, deceiving him, the car crash, the relationship with Claude? Her illness?
9. Poirot, confronting John, his terminal illness, his attitude towards Molly and Claude, revenge, yet his planning to take the poison? Poirot saving him from being a murderer?
