THE KIDNAPPED PRIME MINISTER
UK, 1990, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Lisa Harrower, David Horovitch, Ronald Hines, Patrick Godfrey, Jack Elliott.
Directed by Andrew Grieve.
This is a short story in the 70-episode television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David sachet as Poirot.
It is a very British story, the importance of the British Prime Minister in League of Nations discussions about the rearmament of Germany. There is an attempt on the Prime Minister’s life, then his kidnapping. The government is upset and Chief Inspector Chap recommends Poirot to solve the case. The government officials appreciate it, highlighting that Poirot has only 32 hours to find the Prime Minister. The story is that he was abducted in France. Poirot decides that he is still in England and pursues that line.
However, the officials are very impatient, not allowing Poirot time to use his grey cells, to think. Hastings is helping with the investigation and Chief Inspector Chap is also present, having recommended Poirot but feeling that he will lose his pension if Poirot does not succeed.
Poirot goes to the place of the initial accident, searches at the hospital where the Prime Minister was treated, goes home to bed for a sleep and then visits the flat rented by the car driver, season Irish connection, interviews commander Daniels who is in charge of getting the Prime Minister to Paris, about his highly publicised divorce proceedings, goes to visit the commander’s wife and gets Hastings to follow her as she drives into the country. Miss Lemon then is able to provide some information about Mrs Daniels’ home.
There is a confrontation at the house, the police arriving, Poirot and Hastings present, Mrs Daniels and the driver inside, her going to the roof and shooting herself, the emergence of the Prime Minister.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series? David Suchet as Poirot?
2. A British story? The assassination attempt on the Prime Minister? His head being bound? The officials waiting at the railway station? His eventual arrival? Daniels and his care for the Prime Minister? The Prime Minister and the importance of going to League of Nations discussions, in Paris, for Germany and its rearmament?
3. Poirot, in his office, Hastings and Miss Lemon? The phone call, the official, Poirot going to the government offices, his being briefed, the disappearance of the Prime Minister, in France on his way to Paris? Poirot having 32 hours to solve the case? Accompanied by Hastings? The presence of Scotland Yard and this case being important for Chief Inspector Japp? His participation in the search?
4. The officials, wanting action, impatient with Poirot, not understanding what he was doing? Japp and his defence of Poirot? Yet his concern about losing his pension?
5. Poirot, going to the scene of the initial crash, the barrier on the road, the list of hospitals, checking with the Prime Minister was taken? The visit to Daniels, his office, his being wounded in France, his return to London? Poirot on the phone, the framed photo on the desk and its later significance?
6. Poirot, going home to sleep, the grey cells? The impatience of the officials?
7. The newspaper reports about Daniels and his wife, the marriage breakup, the headlines? The disappearance of the car driver? Going to his apartment, the Irish landlady? The Irish connection?
8. The investigation into Daniels, his wife, her being part of Irish aristocracy, Daniels and his father’s past political clash?
9. Miss Lemon and, the home of Mrs Daniels, Poirot and his interview with her, her hostility towards her husband? Hastings following her to the country, losing her, Poirot waiting for the phone call, Japp calling the police? The identification of her home?
10. The police, Poirot arriving, inside the house, Mrs Daniels and the driver, her husband arriving and wanting to get through, her taking the gun, on the roof, shooting herself? The taking of the driver? The Prime Minister released? An Irish anti-British conspiracy?
11. Poirot and the joke about his new suit, the tailor, the measurements?
