THE CLOCKS

UK, 2009, 93 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Tom Burke, Jaime Winston, Anna Massey, Phil Daniels, Leslie Sharp, Beatie Edney, Abigail Thaw, Guy Henry, Geoffrey Palmer, Tessa Peake Jones, Jason Watkins, Stephen Boxer, Frances Barber.
Directed by Charles Palmer.

The Clocks is one of the last in the television series of adaptations of Agatha Christie mysteries. By this time, David Suchet had been acting as Poirot for 20 years. He became the embodiment of Poirot in many television audience’s imaginations.

The setting here is Dover in 1938, Dover Castle with its tunnels and used by the Admiralty in order to be prepared for a German invasion over the channel. The film begins with some espionage, and a car accident. Tom Burke is Colin Race, the son of Colonel Race who worked with Poirot on previous investigations (this is a development by the screenwriter). He feels guilty because he ignored the phone call from the young woman following the spy. He approaches Poirot at the theatre (at a play by Mrs Ariadne Oliver, who does not appear in the film). Poirot goes to Dover, encountering the local inspector, Hardcastle (Phil Daniels).

The young woman who was killed has written an address on a piece of paper, Colin Race investigating in the street and encountering a young secetary rushing hysterically from a house. There is a dead body inside. The house is owned by a blind woman, Anna Massey.

Poirot, with Hardcastle, interrogates the people in the street – but Hardcastle’s main suspect is the young woman, Sheila Webb (Jaime Winston, surprisingly demure with so many rough-and-tumble performances to come). Colin Race is attracted by her and protective of her.

There is quite a range of neighbours in the street providing some dramatic interest.

What emerges is two separate murder cases, connected only by the blind woman and her house. She and one of the neighbours are involved in the espionage, she from humane reasons to prevent young men, like her own sons, being killed in war. The body in her house is a quite independent murder, orchestrated by one of the couples who have inherited money from Canada, and the revelation of their sister in Dover, who manipulates the whole scenario.

A quite entertaining variation on Agatha Christie’s plots and styles, two murders coming together in the one investigation.

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

2. This film towards the end of the series? The 1938 setting? Dover Castle, the underground tunnels, the Secret Service, the Admiralty? The tunnels and corridors? Documents? Mines in the channel? Preparation for a German attack? The espionage atmosphere?

3. The city of Dover, the white cliffs, the Castle, the streets, homes, secretarial service, promenades? The musical score?

4. The opening, the agent, photographing the material, the fellow worker noting, following, confronted, the man with the gun, the car accident? Colin Race, his presence in the Castle, playing cards, putting off Fiona, his subsequent sense of guilt?

5. The theatre, Mrs Oliver’s play and Poirot solving everything? Colin Race approaching him, memories of his father, Colonel Race and solving crimes with Poirot? His explaining the situation to Poirot?

6. Inspector Hardcastle, his investigations, his schema on the wall, meeting Poirot, the questioning, his building his case, suspect, inflexible, not understanding Poirot? The work together? Hardcastle’s final congratulations?

7. Fiona, the pursuit of the spy, noting down the address, the irony of later turning it upside down? The address and the investigations by Colin Race? His encounter with Sheila, her fears? Comforting her, taking on the case?

8. Sheila, her work at the secretarial office, the phone call, the appointment for Miss Pebmarsh, the door open, sitting and waiting, the four clocks, the incorrect time (and the indication of the room at the hotel for her assignations with the professor), her Rosemary clock? Her discovering the body, her reaction? Hardcastle seeing her as the main suspect? The investigation revealing further suspicious aspects? Colin attracted by her, spending time with her? The discovery of the clock and the knife? His momentary disillusionment? The going to prison?

9. The Secretariat, Miss Martindale, efficiency, Nora Brent, her chatter in the office? The girls, the roundup, going to the inquest, Nora trying to talk to the police, about the inconsistencies in testimony, being put off, her phoning the police, her being murdered in the phone booth?

10. The attempts to identify the body of the dead man, the insurance scam, the photo description, Merlina Rival coming forward, identifying, former husband, the nick behind his ear?

11. The residents of the street and the questioning? The father with his deals in France, impatient, the two girls and their playing in the treehouse, observing, rummaging, finally finding the evidence? Mr and Mrs Bland, her Canadian background, acting, coming into money, her husband’s answering the questions – the momentary scene with his impatience with her? The brother and sister academics? The revelation of the German background and coming to England – and their being Jewish? The cat woman, the comedy with the cats and Poirot’s allergy, her overhearing the conversation? Cooperation with Poirot?

12. Miss Pebmarsh, blind, World War I, the photo and her sons, their death? Her working for the photographer? Coming home, the open door, the finding of the body? The mystery to her? Her conversations with Poirot, especially about the photos? His returning to verify theories with the photos?

13. The admiral, his impatience with Colin Race, bringing in Poirot, wanting action? The meetings and discussions?

14. Poirot, getting the information, urging Hardcastle to let Sheila go?

15. Poirot assembling the group, the revelation of the two murders and their not being connected except by Miss Pebmarsh’s address?

16. The espionage, the arms dealer and his going to France, going through his suitcases, finding the evidence, his attempt to run? His contact with Miss Pebmarsh? Her motivation, not wanting young men to be lost in war again? The dealer and his strong fascist stances, anti-Churchill, anti-appeasement?

17. The other line of investigation, Merlina Rival and her murder? Wanting more money for her silence? The revelation of the identity of Mrs Bland, the death of the first Mrs Bland, the Canadian inheritance, living in Dover, the revelation that Miss Martindale was her sister, Miss Martindale and her schemes, no phone call, buying the clocks, the murder of Nora Brent, Mr Bland and his violence, the dead man being the first Mrs Bland’s brother?

18. The effect on Sheila, under suspicion, Colin Race and his embarrassment? Poirot urging him to follow her?