Poirot - The Mysterious Affair at Styles [DVD]

I could find nothing to fault in this adaptation of Agatha Christie's book The Mysterious Affair at Styles. Beginning with the introduction of poor dimwitted Lieutenant Hastings watching film footage of war from a projector that looked and sounded like a machinegun. I marvel that he eventually became a Captain considering he's not the brightest chap. Inspector Japp also appears in this offering, showing his stubborn streak. But it's Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) who solves the case with great aplomb. Pity so much of it took place in a rural setting where pesky things like grass can get in the way. "Nature is untidy."Fun, exciting, and a fabulous period piece.

As with all of the early Poirot episodes and movies, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" is a top-notch production with fine attention to detail. Suchet & Fraser deliver great performances as they do in all episodes. It is interesting to see the WW I setting and costuming in contrast to the Art Deco feel from the early productions. Although I continue to watch the new series (up to Oct. 2010 so far) I do prefer to original 1 and 2 hour episodes with the original cast. This is high quality and well worth repeated views. "They just don't make `em like this anymore" ;-)

"The Mysterious Affair at Styles" is based on Agatha Christie's first novel, published in 1920, and takes us back to Hercule Poirot's first case in England in 1917. During World War I, Poirot and 7 fellow Belgian refugees are staying in an English village house kindly provided for them by Mrs. Emily Inglethorp (Gillian Barge). Lt. Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser) has been injured fighting in France and has been invited by his old friend, Mrs. Inglethorp's son John Cavendish (David Rintoul), to stay at Styles Court, the family home, for some rest and relaxation. The atmosphere in the house is somewhat unpleasant, as there is much acrimony between Mrs. Inglethorp's family and her new husband Alfred (Michael Cronin), whom everyone thinks is a gold-digger. When there is a murder at Styles, Hastings knows just whom to call.Forced to spend the war years away from his native Belgium, Hercule Poirot runs into a few old acquaintances. He met Arthur Hastings in Belgium before the War, and Scotland Yard's James Japp (Philip Jackson) remembers him from an international forgery case. "The Mysterious Affair at Styles" was part of Series 2 of ITV's "Agatha Christie's Poirot" that aired in 1990. Although the Poirot novels and stories were written 1920-1974, the TV series set most in the 1930s, with its stunning modernist sets. This World War I era aesthetic is quite different. Even the opening title sequence is changed. While the novel was responsible for introducing audiences to these characters, the film comes two seasons into the series so assumes we already know them. There is a certain awkwardness in knowing a group of characters who don't know each other well yet, but it's a good mystery.The DVD (Acorn 2001): Bonus features are a short text interview with David Suchet, the same one that is on the Collector's Set discs, a brief text bio for Agatha Christie, a list of Poirot books, and short list of resources, filmographies for 3 actors. There are 4 Poirot Trivia questions, but this is not interactive as it is on some discs, and answers are not provided. And there are 4 Poirot Quotes. No subtitles.

Excellent condition! It was to help complete my Poirot collection and was very good movie as usual!

Kinda pricey for one episode with no subtitles

Love Agatha Christie. this was her first book and it was great.

i love Agatha Christies Mysteries Poirot and Miss Marple.. This is supposed to be the first book she wrote on Poirot and the movie which i was on the waiting list for a long time for on Netflix--i found on Amazon and i am so happy..i am glad for Amazon.com too..

The books are much better. Save your money.