APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH
UK, 2010, 93 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Tim Curry, John Hannah, Elizabeth Mc Govern, Christina Cole, Tom Riley, Cheryl Campbell, Zoe Boyle, Emma Cuniffe, Angela Pleasance, Paul Freeman, Beth Goddard, Christian Mc Kay, Mark Gattis.
Directed by Ashley Pearce.
This is one of the later films in the television series of adaptations of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot. Devotees of Agatha Christie and her novels were very much dissatisfied by this adaptation, some key characters omitted, other characters introduced as well as themes that were not in the original. They recommend the adaptation with Peter Ustinov as Poirot.
The setting is Syria, 1937, an archaeologist searching for the head of John the Baptist (neglecting that there were already three claimants including one in the mosque in Damascus!). He has an impossibly arrogant wife who is murdered. Poirot is present, accompanies the group to the dig at an exposition to view the terrain. There is quite a range of characters, Lord Boynton son (played by Mark Gattis who was to adapt number of murder mysteries for the screen, especially Sherlock), three of Lady Boynton’s adopted children, a young visiting doctor, a doctor who had given testimony in a case that Poirot had been involved in, an encounter with a travel writer who joins the expedition. There is the nanny of the children and a mysterious Polish nun, in full habit. There is also a colonel who investigates the case and is soon revealed to be investigating a white slave trade. There is also a mysterious American who has a key role.
The action takes place over 24 hours, the death of Lady Boynton, Poirot investigating and interrogating, a variety of reactions, the assembly of everyone at the dig, and the explanation of the complexities of what it happened.
Probably very enjoyable for those who have not read the novel. More than irritating for those who wanted a faithful version of the novel.
1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries, the television series, David Suchet as Poirot? This version receiving very negative comments, changes from the original novel, permission of characters, addition of new characters and themes?
2. The Syrian setting, archaeological digs, the search for head of John the Baptist? The city, hotels? The landscapes? The musical score?
3. The title, ancient traditions, appointment in Samara, with death?
4. The setting, Lord Boynton, his archaeological searches, the collapsing sand, the finding of the subterranean room, the narrative and story? Those working on the dig with him?
5. In the city, the range of characters assembled, the introduction to each, their going out to the dig, the expedition, the death, the investigation, the intricacies, Poirot’s investigation, the revelation?
6. Lady Boynton, her arrogant manner, dismissive? Her adopted children? The flashbacks to her cruelty, the beatings by the nanny? The nanny present? Raymond, his being put down by his mother? Carol and her having to do menial tasks for her mother? Jinny, the youngest, humiliated? Lady Boynton and her background, the United States, finance, her wealthy company?
7. Poirot present, observing, Colonel Carbury, English, not of the police, his investigating the case, collaboration with Poirot, the revelation of his mission about the white slave trade?
8. The Polish nun, incongruous, in full habit, her attention to Jinny? The attack and her being wounded? The revelation of her role in white slavery? Her hypocrisy? At the end, the car breaking down in the desert?
9. Sarah, fainting and the heat, Raymond and his attentions, his reticence, not introducing his mother? Her being a doctor? Helping Dr Gerard? Happy ending for her?
10. The dramatic arrival of Cecilia, her reputation as a travel writer? Discussions with Poirot? Helping with Lady Boynton?
11. Jefferson Cope, the American, his manner, the issue of the newspapers, the mystery of his presence, his telling Poirot about his financial collapse – and the revelation of who he was, with Lady Boynton, undermining her financial Empire?
12. Leonard Boynton, his arrival, dislike of his stepmother, wanting his father’s tension, working on the dig, upset with Poirot?
13. The expedition, the heat, Dr Gerard collapsing, his return, Jinny and her affection?
14. Lady Boynton, not travelling, sitting watching, the episode of the bee sting, her collapse, her husband finding her, his devotion to her, the blood on his hands?
15. The nanny, the flashbacks, her cruelty? On the bed, Dr Gerard and his attentions? Drowning herself in the bath?
16. The complexity of the plot? Lord Boynton and his looking down on Poirot? Finding the head of John the Baptist – the tooth, his son fabricating the head? To undermine his father’s years of neglecting his family for his work?
17. The truth about the colonel, the white slave trade, the nun exposed, her targeting Jinny?
18. The revelation about Jefferson Cope, Lady Boynton, testing out orphans, rejecting them, the irony that Leslie was a boy, Cope and his financial revenge on Lady Boynton?
19. The documents about Dame Cecilia, being a servant, her pregnancy, the father, going to Ireland? Her denial about the baby, giving it up for adoption? The revelation of the baby was Jinny? Dr Gerard as the father? Their plot to kill Lady Boynton, the poison in the bee sting, her collapse, paralysis, suffering the heat, Cecilia stabbing her? Their love for their
daughter, not regretting what they had done? The doctor poisoning the both with digitalis?
20. The impact of those who have not read the book? Complexity? The satisfaction of the adaptation?
