THE INCREDIBLE THEFT
UK, 1989, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, John Stride, Carmen Du Sautey, Ciaran Madden, John Carson, Phyllida Law, Guy Scantlebury, Albert Welling.
Directed by Edward Bennett.
This is an Agatha Christie exercise in the world of espionage.
Poirot, played by David Suchet, is asked to be present at a dinner in the countryside where a Cabinet Minister will be present, the home of the developer of modern aircraft. He had been previously implicated in a scandal with the Japanese at the time of the invasion of Manchuria but had escaped blame. He wants to be in favour again with the government – and concocts a plan involving a glamorous spy who is to steal his documents and give them to the German Embassy.
His wife is concerned and has consulted Poirot. Chief Inspector Japp has been invited to the village to investigate. There is a car chase, Hastings at the wheel.
For those familiar with spy stories they may well have worked out that the situation is a set up, that the woman will steal the documents, but that they are false and will take a lot of time for the Germans to decipher.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series with David Suchet as Poirot?
2. The contemporary setting, England in the mid-30s, the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, deals with aircraft manufacturers, the rise of Nazism and deals with Germany? The role of the British government? Spies?
3. The airfield, the demonstration of the plane? Poirot and his London office, Hastings and his mooning over the girlfriend, Miss Lemmon and anonymous callers?
4. Poirot meeting Lady Mayfield, her plea? His going to the countryside? The range of guests, Sir George Carrington representing the government, his intolerant wife and the bridge game, the reckless son? Mrs Vanderlyn and her reputation? Carlile and his work for Lord Mayfield?
5. Mayfield, the past connection with Japan, out of favour with the government, his plan to be reconciled with the government? Inviting Mrs Vanderlyn? The possibility of her stealing documents?
6. The gathering, cards, the meal? The news that Chief Inspector Japp had been invited to the village? And sharing a room with Hastings? Hastings complaint about the Chief Inspector and his dramatic talking in his sleep?
7. Carlile, the documents, on the table? His diligence? Lord Mayfield and his concern? The disappearance of the documents? Telling Sir George? Poirot offering to investigate? Mrs Vanderlyn and her coming downstairs?
8. Japp arriving, the interrogations, with Mrs Vanderlyn, her huff, Carlile giving her the case? Her driving away? Poirot and Hastings following in the police car? Seeing her deliver the case to the German Embassy?
9. Lady Mayfield, her concern about her husband? Sir George and his concern?
10. Poirot, the solution? Mrs Vandalyn and her letter? Lady Mayfield reading it? The blackmailing of Lord Mayfield about the Japanese issue?
11. The fact that the papers were false, that this would delay the Germans in their investigation of the plans, Carlile and his conniving with Lord Mayfield?
12. The satisfactory ending? Scandal resolved? Reconciliation of husband and wife? The government satisfied?
