THREE ACT TRAGEDY

UK, 2011, 93 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Martin Shaw, Kimberly Nixon, Art Malik, Suzanne Bertish, Anastasia Hille, Ronan Vibert, Kate Ashfield, Jane Asher, Anna Carteret, Tom Wisdom.
Directed by Ashley Pearce.

This is one of the later episodes of the television series with David Suchet as Poirot – over 20 years since the first episode.

There are attractive locations in Cornwall, rather more sinister locations in Yorkshire. The focal character is a distinguished actor, Charles Cartwright, played by Martin Shaw. He is an old friend of Poirot and of Sir Bartholomew Strange, who runs a clinic in Yorkshire. There is a death at the dinner that Poirot attends, the local minister collapsing and dying, the judgement made that it was a natural death, his collapse. However, Charles Cartwright and the young woman that he wants to marry, Egg, think it was murder.

Poirot meets Charles Cartwright on holiday in Monaco and they hear the news that Sir Bartholomew Strange has been killed. They return and begin the investigation, Charles Cartwright assuming the role that Captain Hastings had assisting Poirot in the past, visiting suspects, interviewing them, and with the company of Egg. There is quite a range of suspects.

With some medical information, the death could have been caused in both cases by nicotine poisoning, Poirot changes to the opinion of murder, visits Cornwall and prevents Charles Cartwright’s house manager from destroying his laboratory. There is also a re-enactment where Charles Cartwright collapses, pretending to be murdered.

Everyone is assembled and Poirot explains the ingenious set up for the murders, the minister being a random victim (and Poirot realising that he could have been the victim), with Dr Strange the intended target. Charles Cartwright is the murderer, wanting to marry Egg, but Poirot discovering that he was previously married and his wife was in an institution.

Entertaining and ingenious plotting.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? The television series? David Suchet as Poirot?

2. The setting? Cornwall, the mansion? Yorkshire, the mansion, the Institute? Interiors? Social gatherings? The musical score?

3. The title, the references to the different stages, the murders, the investigations? The theatrical background? Cartwright as actor, celebrated, fans and admirers? The posters?

4. The theatrical style, curtain rising, stage, visual compositions like theatre and performance?

5. Charles Cartwright, on the yacht, in love with Egg? His friendship with Poirot? Longtime? Friendship with Dr Strange since childhood? Gathering people for the dinner? Miss Millray, sitting at table? Charles Cartwright praising and dismissing her?

6. Poirot, at home in this setting, his visit? The introduction to the guests, the range? Fashion designer and husband? The minister and his wife? The playwright? The cocktails? The minister and his collapse and death? The autopsy, coroner’s verdict? Not murder? Poirot believing this and not accepting the opinion of murder?

7. Poirot, visiting Monte Carlo, the meeting with Charles Cartwright? The news of Dr Strange’s death? The return to England?

8. Dr Strange, friendship with Cartwright, buying the mansion, setting up the institution, clients and patients? The invitation to the dinner? The phone call about the new patient arriving? His joking with the butler? The same guests at table? The drinks, Dr Strange and his death?

9. Poirot, Charles Cartwright assisting him with the investigation, assuming the role of Captain Hastings in the past? Egg, her concern, suspicion of murder?

10. The range of visits to the potential suspects? Possible motivations?

11. Poirot and his return to Cornwall, Miss Milray and the laboratory and her attempts to destroy the evidence?

12. Egg, her mother and her presence, Oliver and his attraction towards Egg? Her devotion to Charles Cartwright, the proposal?

13. The gathering, the explanation of what happened? The technique of switching the glasses when the victim collapsed? The nicotine poison, obtaining it, its use, insertion in the cocktails? The minister as being a random victim – and Poirot realising he could been the victim?

14. Charles Cartwright and his denials? The revelation about his wife, in the institution, Dr Strange having that information? His being the target of the murder? The revelation that Cartwright acted the part of the butler? Cartwright wanting to marry Egg, his not wanting to be accused of bigamy?

15. The playwright, her presence, her reaction to the performance of Cartwright pretending to be murdered?

16. An ingenious case? The intricacies of the solution?