THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES

UK, 1990, 103 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Beattie Edney, David Rintoul, Gillian Barge, Michael Cronin, Joanna Mc Callum, Anthony Calf.
Directed by Ross Devenish.


The Mysterious Affair Styles was the first book with Poirot at the centre written by Agatha Christie, written in 1916, published in 1920 and 21 in the UK and the US. It is alleged that she wrote the book as a bet with her sister that she could write a story when no one could pick the culprit. 30 years before her death she wrote Curtain, the final Poirot story, kept secret until her final illness. And the setting was a return to Styles.

The film is interesting with its setting, 1917, the war continuing, Hastings returning from the war, a number of flashbacks sequences of war action. Poirot is amongst the refugees from Belgium living in the British village. Hastings had met him in Belgium. The setting for the murder is an affluent family, a new husband 20 years younger, looking sinister with black beard and cape, several suspects – but, of course, the least likely person becoming involved at the end.

The first things that Hastings says in the film is Good Lord, repeating it several times, as he did in the subsequent films. He is also rather obtuse in understanding women and some ironic remarks from Poirot that he is not altogether savvy with what is going on. And the film also introduces Inspector Japp, Philip Jackson playing the roll over many films.

Not the best of her murder mysteries, but important in introducing her and her Poirot mysteries.

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

2. This title as the first of Christie’s Poirot novels, written in 1916, 1917 setting, the war continuing, refugees from Belgium, British hospitality? The introduction to Poirot, Hastings talking about his detective work in Belgium? His presence in England, adjusting to the situation, to the language, to the customs like pubs? And Hastings doing the narration?

3. The 1917 settings, the flashbacks and the war sequences? Hastings returning from the war, his nightmares? In uniform? His rank? His going to the Cavendish house? His friendship with John? Mrs Inglethorpe and her welcome? The attraction to Cynthia, the proposal and her rejection? His comment about not understanding women?

4. The situation in the house? John, inheriting the houses, his financial difficulties, the loan for Mrs Raikes? The comment about the relationship? Her being a war widow? His relationship with Mary, her suspicions? Laurence, his presence in the house, serious, attraction to Cynthia? Evie, her role as companion, her upset about the death, her leaving, her open hostility to Inglethorpe?

5. Inglethorpe, younger than his wife, sinister -looking, black, bearded, cape? The antagonism from the rest of the family?

6. Mrs Inglethorpe, upset, the documents, her changing her will frequently, Evie as companion, Dorcas has maid, overhearing the arguments, her misinterpretation? Mrs Inglethorpe not feeling well, Cynthia taking her coffee, the struggles, the locked door, the death? The doctor, suspicions? Strychnine?

7. The police investigation, the superintendent, suspicions of John?

8. The arrival of Inspector Japp, his handling of the case, his fixing on one accused, suspicious of John? The arrest?

9. Hastings, the encounter with Poirot, Poirot in the village, Hastings going to see him, coming to investigate the case? Questioning? The locked room, the mantelpiece and its being tidy? Poirot and the house of cards, Hastings talking, his realising something had happened with the mantelpiece? His return, search, the discovery of the papers?

10. John, in court, the witnesses, his professing his innocence?

11. Poirot, assembling everybody, people arriving late? The story of Mary Cavendish and her going into the room, her mother-in-law’s gasping, the letter? Laurence and his trying to protect Cynthia, saying the door was locked and locking it? Dorcas and her loyalties? John, the truth about the loan for Mrs Raikes?

12. Inglethorpe, his alibi, the discovery of the green dress, the beard and make up? Turning the tide on Evie? Her confession, her love for Inglethorpe? His hostility towards his wife, arranging the murder, setting clues, being tried and found reticent and not being able to tried again? Evie and her venom against Mrs Inglethorpe

13. Everything rectified, Hastings puzzling about Cynthia and Laurence, their getting married?

14. And the beginning of the collaboration between Hastings and Poirot and the work with Inspector Japp?