THE LOST MINE

UK, 1990, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Anthony Bate, Colin Stinson, Barbara Barnes, James Saxon, Vincent Wong, Julian Firth.
Directed by Edward Bennett.

This is one of the earliest of the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot. It is set in the world of banking – opening with some comic touches where Poirot has difficulties with his account and reacts demandingly (only to be correct at the end by Miss Lemon).

The film also has Chinese connections, the loss of a mine in China and the recovery of its map to find its whereabouts. There is a visiting Chinese man with an appointment for financing and deals with the bank. There is an American connection leading to Chinatown an opium den and gambling. There is also the head of the bank, highly respectable, who is eventually unmasked.

All the usual ingredients of a mystery, murders, Poirot and his explanations.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie’s mysteries? Television series with David Suchet as Poirot?

2. This film as a short story, the focus on finance, Poirot and his banking difficulties? The companionship of Hastings and involvement with the solution? The connections with Scotland Yard and Inspector Japp? Miss Lemon and her investigations?

3. Poirot, his dealings with the bank, his demands? The later revelation of his not banking the cheque? His precision about the amount of money in the bank?

4. The story of the Chinaman? His registering at the hotel? The background of the mind, silver, the sample? The mine lost? A map? The meeting with the bank? His meeting with a stranger and disappearing? His death?

5. The bank, the board, Lord Pearson, searching for the Chinese? Engaging Poirot’s help?

6. The visits to Chinatown, the opium dens, Reggie Dyer, the chief inspector and the surveillance, arresting Dyer, the interrogation, his getting off, later tracking him down to the opium den? His arrest? His associates?

7. The information about Charles Lester, American background, his business, his denials? His wife’s concern? His opium addiction?

8. Poirot, the interrogations, Chief Inspector Japp? The information about Lord Pearson, his gambling, Chinatown, his masterminding the murders?

9. A local London story, Poirot and Japp and the solution?