TRIANGLE AT RHODES
UK, 1989, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Frances Low, John Cartwright, Annie Lambert, Peter Settelen, Angela Down, Timothy Kightley.
Directed by Renny Rye.
Triangle at Rhodes is one of the earliest of the 70 films on the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries featuring David Suchet. It has a mid-30s setting, holidaymakers on roads, the ferry to Brindisi, the Italian presence, headlines of the invasion of Abyssinia.
Poirot is on holidays which gives the opportunity for some wonderful scenic photography and atmosphere. And the familiar score is played on Mediterranean strings.
The murder and the suspect is limited to 6. However, there is a British Major who enjoys fishing. There is Miss Lyle, who works with Poirot in the investigation and is a substitute this time for Captain Hastings. Which leaves the final two couples – and the triangle which becomes explicit, and the other triangle which explains the murder and the solution.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series with David Suchet?
2. The title, the setting, the beauty of the land and sea, cliffs? Beaches? Hotel, interiors? The musical score (Mediterranean strings)?
3. The Italian Empire, Mussolini, headlines, the invasion of Abyssinia? The ferry to Brindisi? The Italian presence in Rhodes?
4. Poirot on holidays? The encounters with Miss Lyle? Saving her from the Major? The conversations, the commentary on the guests? The investigation, going to the wharf? Her taking the place of Captain Hastings?
5. The Chantrys? Wealth? The reputation of Valentine, divorce and marriages? Her roving eye? With Tony, his being at her beck and call, at the beach? Tony and his jealousy of Douglas Gold? Valentine and her flirting with Douglas? The tours and trips? Tony and Douglas and the billiards game? Friendship? The drink? Valentine with the other women, photos, cheerful? Her death? The drink intended for Tony?
6. Marjorie and Douglas Gold? Traditional? Less affluent, having to wait for the taxi? The tour, Marjorie and the discussions with Poirot about the snake? His warnings to her? At the beach, swimming? Douglas and his eye for Valentine, responding to her, Marjorie’s reaction? Tony and his hostility, the billiards game, the drink? Marjorie’s speech about divorce and her being upset at the table, Tony’s reaction?
7. At the wharf, his being considered a spy, his return to solve the case, interactions in the hotel?
8. The Major, pursuing Miss Lyle, his fishing, buying the fish? Friendship, the final help with the boat?
9. The revelation of the truth, the double standards of Marjorie, Tony and the affair? Their escape? The pursuit, the military? The solving of the case?
