MURDER IS EASY

UK, 2023, 117 minutes, Colour.

David Jonsson, Matthew Baynton, Morfydd Clark, Penelope Wilton, Douglas Henshaw, Mark Bonnar, Sinead Matthews, Jon Pointing, Tom Riley.

Directed by Meena Gaur.

Looking at the many negative comments on the IMDb, one wonders whether the choice of the Nigerian as the central character set up prejudicial reactions to the film. On the other hand, the many Agatha Christie fans who like her stories and appreciate different interpretations, have enjoyed it.

In checking on the Wikipedia synopsis of Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel, this version keeps very close to the characters and the plot developments. It had been filmed in 1982 with Bill Bixby as the investigator, Lesley Anne Down as his associate, Helen Hayes as the old lady, Miss Marple like, who observes the murders – and Olivia Haviland as the murderer.

The cast here is not so well-known. In changing the investigator (who in the original returns from overseas postings) to a Nigerian, it has something of the same effect. Although, this is 1954 and there are some immediate reactions to his black presence.

The investigator encounters a Miss Marple like character on a train, played by Penelope Wilton, who tells him of murders in her village (more dangerous than St Mary Mead) and then she herself is murdered. He travels to the town, encounters a young woman at coroner’s sessions, judged accidental deaths, but she is engaged to a self-made peer who has ambitions to transform his village into a modern development.

He seems to be the obvious murderer, plenty of motives and, later, revealed to be fanatical in his attitude towards anyone who opposes him, working with God, so he says, to strike down his enemies. And, with this explanation, it might seem that Agatha Christie has decided that the obvious person is the killer. However, there is a twist and after the detailed explanation about how the villain might have committed all the murders, there are the visuals scenes of the actual killer and the actual murders, building up to a confrontation and rescue.

The end of the novel, the couple is married – not quite the easy romantic fix in this one!

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie novels? This one from 1939 but set in 1954, the Nigerian character, the major and his overseas service, minister and his service in India and his Indian wife, comments about Nigerian independence, British rule, Partition?
2. 1954, the scenes in London, the streets and the betting? The train ride, the village, the names, accommodation, shops and pubs, the mansion, tennis, doctor’s office…? Real feel? The musical score?
3. Luke Fitzwilliam, the opening, his nightmare, the fire and chase, the knife? This recurring? And the finale with the knife? His background in Nigeria, coming to England, political service, the job in Whitehall? The encounter with Miss Pinkerton, friendly, the story of the murders, the betting, his placing the bet, the race and her winnings, her death? His discussion with his friends, their taunting him about his job, independent in Nigeria, is very Britishness?
4. His decision to investigate the situation, arrival, the sessions, accidental deaths, the encounter with Bridget? Some reactions to his being black? Accommodation? No vacancies – giving the money, vacancies? The invitation to the reception? Bridget and her engagement to Lord Whitfield? His manner, the back story, the development? His deals during the war, acquiring the peerage?
5. The story of the murders, the Weir, falling from the building? The further deaths, the minister and his attack and collapse, his later death? The maid, the poison? The outspoken objector at the hearings and his death? The doctor, under suspicion, his collapse and fall at the engagement party?
6. The visit to the poor return, the hostility in the pub, the change, friendship, the women at the engagement party, engaging them for the expose of the murderer?
7. Fitzwilliam and his discussions with Bridget, his investigations, the experience at the Weir with the water, the rescue? His presence at the maid’s death? The later suspicion of him by the police? His involvement with Lord Whitfield, the tennis game, the attraction to Bridget? The engagement party? Lord Whitfield’s reaction?
8. The range of suspects, the doctor and his medication, the revelation of his eugenic books and ideas, the Indian wife and her daughter? Rose and her attraction to the doctor, her being shocked at the books? The doctor and his opportunities, suspicious behaviour, playing up to Lord Whitfield? The surprise of his collapse and death?
9. The major, walking the dog, or haughty towards Fitzwilliam, Is Speaking the language, finding the right time, collaboration, the information from Scotland Yard?
10. The minister, his arguments against Lord Whitfield and the development, his Indian wife, daughter? The funeral?
11. Miss Waynefleet, in the background, the death of her maid? Her back story, emerging, as stories about Lord Whitfield, the buildup of the case against Lord Whitfield, his outbursts about God being on his side, threatening Fitzwilliam?
12. Investigation, the discussions, the clues toured Lord Whitfield, the realisation about Miss Waynefleet, her drugging Bridget, the walk, the talk, attempting to kill her, the rescue?
13. The final solution, Fitzwilliam and his decision to return to Nigeria for independence, and the attraction for Bridget?