A CARIBBEAN MYSTERY

UK, 1989, 104 minutes, Colour.

Joan Hickson, Donald Pleasence, Adrien Lukis, Sophie Ward, T.P.McKenna, Michael Feast, Sheila Ruskin, Frank Middlemass, Robert Swann, Sue Lloyd, Barbara Barnes, Stephen Bent, Joseph Modell, Valerie Buchanan, Isabel Lucas.

Directed by Christopher Pettit.

Miss Marple has had an extraordinary screen career, on the big screen with Angela Lansbury in The Mirror Crack’d. But, especially on the television screen, a succession of very different actresses, Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan, Julia Mackenzie.

She was also played by American actress, Helen Hayes, in some American television films, including a version of A Caribbean Mystery – which follows quite closely this present adaptation.

This is very much Joan Hickson as Miss Marple, elderly, always knitting, observing, curious, noticing clues, sometimes missing them, but finally a solution.

It is a surprise to find her having a holiday in the Caribbean, after being unwell, a gift from her novelist nephew, Raymond (played briefly at the end of this film by the screenwriter T R.Bowen.)

The film has the exotic Caribbean setting, some of the local culture, the police authorities, maids and hotels, village life, funeral – and a belief that at a funeral night, vengeance on a murderer will be wrought. And, in this film, it does.

There is a strong supporting cast led by Donald Pleasance as an obnoxious and demanding businessman, T.P.McKenna as the local doctor, Frank Middlemass has a gossiping and drinking former major, and Sophie Ward is the victim of the conspiracy.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries? Miss Marple? The three actresses, Joan Hickson’s status?
2. The popularity of A Caribbean Mystery, the various versions?
3. The introduction, Miss Marple and her not being well, her nephew giving her the holiday, the background of St Mary Mead, in the Caribbean, relaxing, the hotel, her continued meeting, her clothes, sunning herself, observing?
4. The major, his talk, drinking, boring everyone, his discovering a murderer, the the issue of his having only one eye and Miss Marple’s wrong interpretation of where he was looking? His talk, the dining room, drinking, the medication, his heart attack, his death?
5. The range of people at the hotel, the cross-section, suspicions? Edward Hillingdon and his butterflies, his continued study, alienation from his wife, her seriousness, thinking of the children? Hillingdon and his relationship with Lucky Dyson, Greg Dyson second wife, her style, seductive? The pressures on Hillingdon? Greg Dyson, American, the butterfly named after him, millionaire?
6. Mr Rafiel, wealthy, cantankerous, demanding, his assistant, Esther, looking after him, his continually correcting her? Jackson, the physiotherapist? Mr Rafiel and his attitude towards Miss Marple, underestimating her, the conversations, wanting to unravel the mystery?
7. Tim and Molly, the hotel, hospitable to the guests, charming, Molly and her anxieties, worries, the book about mental illness under the mattress, her turns, medication, erratic behaviour?
8. Victoria, the maid, local, Miss Marple friendly, the visit to Aunty Johnson, Miss Marple and the local culture, Victoria, the medication, her death? The family response, the funeral, and the vengeance on the killer on the night of the funeral?
9. The doctor, his role on the island, continually in attendance, diagnosis, the issue of the Major’s tablets, appearing and disappearing? Jackson later appearing and investigating in the Major’s bathroom?
10. The local police, taking charge, the arrogance of the British representative, interrogations?
11. Miss Marple, her watching, the concern about Molly? Molly, going for her walk, Hillingdon going to find her, the discovery of Victoria’s body? Molly’s collapse? Lucky’s death, a mistake?
12. The revelation about Tim, the screenplay not pointing the camera at him, the truth?
13. A satisfactory Miss Marple investigation?