THE UNDERDOG
UK, 1993, 50 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran, Ann Bell, Adie Allen, Dennis Lill, Johnny Phillips, Bill Wallace, Ian Gelder.
Directed by John Bruce.
This is a topical 1936 mystery, English laboratories, synthetic rubber, deals with Germany, German rearmament. The film focuses on laboratories, the rather lavish laboratory complex, the mansion owned by Sir Reuben, the manager of the factory, a philistine in terms of art (with a collection of Belgian sculptures that Poirot wanted to look at), arrogant, the archetypal capitalist. His wife is a former actress whom he looks down on. He wants his nephew to work with him but the nephew does not want to. His partner is his younger brother whom he dominates.
Poirot and Hastings go to dinner after Hastings plays golf (after so much talk about this in other films) with the nephew. Later, Sir Reuben is murdered in his home-office.
The initial focus is on the scientist at the laboratory, German connections, working for Sir Reuben, invited to the dinner. There is also the mysterious assistant, falling foul of Sir Reuben after she searches for documents in his desk. She has a brother who is revealed to be a scientist whose formula has been stolen and his sister trying to restore it to him.
The nephew, drinking after the golf match, discovers the body and runs. Poirot assembles everybody, eliminating various aspects – and finally reveals the scientist as the guilty party.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series with David Suchet as Poirot?
2. The 1930s setting, London, laboratories, deals with Germany, German rearmament? Financial deals? Sir Reuben’s home? Interiors? The musical score?
3. Poirot and his office, Miss Lemon and trying to hypnotise Poirot? And Hastings – and his perfect golf hit? Hastings and his opportunity to play golf? Sir Reuben and his Belgian art? Poirot wanting to see it? Sir Reuben as a philistine interested only in money?
4. The laboratory, the letter from Germany, Trufusis and his work, the invasion and the setting the lab fire? Sir Reuben’s anger, rebuilding? The documents, rubber, its use? Profit?
5. The golf tournament, Hastings playing with Sir Reuben’s nephew, the aftermath, the drinking?
6. The household, Sir Reuben and his office, his treatment of his wife, her past acting career, his despising of his nephew, yet wanting him to work in the company, the refusal? Sir Reuben and his brother, partners in the firm, his domination? The brother against the deals with Germany?
7. Poirot and Hastings, the visit, Poirot’s disgust? The return, the death of Sir Reuben? The visualising of the evening, the various visitors to the dinner, the hostile discussions about Germany? Sir Reuben in his room? Those who visited? Charles, the discovery of the body, the blood, his running, his being captured, in jail?
8. The range of suspects, Lily, the rendezvous in the garden, tearing her dress, Poirot with the piece of dress? The documents?
9. The possibility of so many killing Sir Reuben? The person hiding behind the curtain? Sir Reuben’s wife and the hypnotism? Poirot going round the characters, Lily’s brother at the hotel, the revelation about the stealing of his documents, Lily stealing them back, the company profiting by them? His not being the murderer? The elimination of Charles? Sir Reuben’s wife? Lily?
10. The scientist, his role in the laboratory, his contacts with Germany, his being at dinner, retiring early – and his hostility towards Sir Reuben, his work, financial deals, the villain?
