Customer Reviews

Agatha Christie's Poirot: Collector's Set Volume 11

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3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
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Only one to go! This is Set 11 of the Acorn Media "Poirot" 12 box series that will include all the shorter Poirot episodes we enjoyed so much on PBS way back when and later (in much mutilated form) on A&E. Starring the "definitive" Hercule Poirot, David Suchet, this series includes (I believe) all or most of the Poirot short stories penned by Agatha Christie, three to a VHS box, while the longer tales are available on VHS and DVD with running times of about 110 minutes.

The three episodes in Set 11 are pretty good. "The Third Floor Flat" brings a murder very close to Poirot's very own flat, just below it in fact. The solution is not very satisfactory and comes a little too early; but the setting more than makes up for it all.

"Triangle in Rhodes" (1937) bears a strong resemblance to "Evil Under the Sun" (1941), and the solution to the former is more credible. Hastings is absent from this episode and the scenery is gorgeous. Be sure to see "Evil" with Ustinov as Poirot and Diana Rigg as the victim for comparison purposes.

Hastings (Hugh Fraser) is back in "Problem at Sea," in which some of the characters are more interesting as believable humans than in most of the Poirot tales. You might guess not only the guilty party but even the modus operandi early on; and while Poirot's forcing a confession from the murderer is a little overdone, this is (correct me if I'm wrong) the only Poirot story in which he is strongly criticized for being "cruel."

A very good set, despite small story faults.

The "Poirot" Box Set #11 contains "The Third Floor Flat," "Problem at Sea," and "Triangle at Rhodes." The first episode is set largely within Hercule Poirot's apartment building, Whitehaven Mansions; the other two take place very far from home, in Egypt and in Rhodes, Greece. I didn't care for "The Third Floor Flat"; its ending was far too predictable. "Triangle at Rhodes" is much more intriguing, a story about a "love triangle" that is not quite what it appears to be. The location shots and the décor in this episode are absolutely gorgeous. Like the previous reviewer, I did notice parallels between this story and that of "Evil Under the Sun," an excellent "Poirot" novel that I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed "Triangle at Rhodes." In "Problem at Sea," Poirot and Hastings investigate a murder aboard a cruise ship bound for Alexandria. The episode features interesting characters and an uncanny denouement. Though "The Third Floor Flat" is only average, the two "abroad" episodes are well worth the price of the whole box set.

According to the IMDB these three episodes of Poirot appeared during the show's first season, in 1989. I knew I had been watching Poirot for some time, but it surprised me to find out just how long. The series doesn't show any signs of becoming dated. Agatha Christie's stories were adapted and filmed with care and the recurring players (David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Pauline Moran) are delightful. Naturally, I prefer some episodes over others. Of these three, my favorite is Problem at Sea. Agatha Christie is often maligned for creating two-dimensional characters but in most of her books I will find one or two characters to be compelling in some way. I had a similar experience watching this adaptation--Miss Henderson (Ann Firbank) is a poignant figure but has so much dignity. It's a lovely performance.

The other two stories, Triangle at Rhodes (a variation on a favorite plot of Christie's) and The Third Floor Flat are solid and entertaining, the latter taking place chiefly in Poirot's apartment building, always fun, and featuring both Miss Lemon and Hastings. In Triangle at Rhodes Poirot has lost Hastings (he's gone off shooting we're told), but is given a sidekick--an appealing 40-ish woman who takes an interest in the goings-on around her.

I don't find the Poirot stories to be gripping entertainment, but they are entertaining. Excellent for unwinding at the end of the day.

In contrary to the item description, the received DVD (cover showed the 2005 edition) was NOT closed-captioned, and there was no indication of closed-captioning on the DVD cover or on DVD. So be aware if this feature is important to you.

Hercule Poirot is one of the greatest mystery solvers of all time. If you are a Poirot fan, this is a must-have DVD!

If you want this, and the other eleven Collector's sets, then you want: Agatha Christie's Poirot - The Classic Collection. These sets are the same as the Classic Collection sets Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Classic Collection - Set 1 through Poirot: Classic Collection Set 4. Don't be fooled into buying duplicate DVDs.

The quality is superb and the entire production, story line, the whole bit, is riveting. Vintage stuff and ageless !

There is so much to be said about this timeless TV series more like mini-movies. They are just enough movie that you never feel antsy for it to finish, could be a good gift if you are looking to buy some easy entertainment for someone. Great acting, the eccentric characters at times are comedic in a subtle manner.

Poirot himself is wonderful. Never fails to get himself into a mysterious situation, whether deliberate or by default. It is never made easy or apparent to figure out who the murderer is. This keeps the series fun and keeps the viewer anticipating the next episode.

Excellent!!! I was so happy that it came the day I had surgery, which was one day before the estimated delivery date. Great company!

Acorn's "Collector's Set" DVDs contain the 50-minute episodes from Series 1-3 and 5 of ITV's "Agatha Christie's Poirot" starring David Suchet as the iconic Belgian sleuth. Series 4 consisted entirely of feature-length episodes which, along with 2 feature-length episodes from Series 2, must be purchased separately. The Collector's Sets are all one-disc releases that each contain 3 episodes (about 150 minutes). Oddly, the numbers on the discs do not in any way correspond to the order of the series or original air dates. This set, Volume 11, includes 3 episodes from Series 1, which introduced the public to David Suchet's wonderful interpretation of Hercule Poirot, aided by no less impressive writing and production design, in 1989.

The 3 episodes on Volume 11 are: "The Third Floor Flat", "Triangle at Rhodes", and "Problem at Sea". The rest of the episodes from Series 1 are on Volumes 9, 10, and 12. "The Third Floor Flat" also features series staples Capt. Arthur Hastings (Hugh Fraser), Poirot's indefatigable but slightly dull-witted sidekick, Poirot's immaculate secretary Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), and the upstanding and patient Scotland Yard Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson). None of these other characters feature in "Triangle at Rhodes", and only Capt. Hastings accompanies Poirot in "Problem at Sea", as these adventures take place abroad.

Truth be told, I have never thought Agatha Christie's Poirot stories good enough to merit the following they have had for the past three-quarters of a century. But these cinematic adaptations are fantastic. David Suchet makes this fussy little man hugely entertaining and sympathetic. No small amount of credit is due the other principle cast members as well, not to mention the casting director who put them together. I never tire of looking at the wonderful deco and modernist buildings and interiors or at Poirot's endlessly variable choice of bow ties. "Poirot" was a fantastic series in its early years. And its humor constantly pokes fun at Poirot, which somehow only makes him more lovable and interesting. The episodes are:

Mrs. Ernestine Grant (Josie Lawrence) has just moved into the flat two floors directly below Poirot's in "The Third Floor Flat". Between them is the flat of a vivacious single young woman named Patricia Matthews (Suzanne Burden). But Poirot is under the weather with a cold and without a case in three weeks. When Miss Matthews, her friend, and their dates return from an evening at the theater, the two men must break into the apartment through the trash lift, because Patricia has misplaced her keys. But they accidentally break into the wrong flat...and find Mrs. Grant quite dead on her living room floor. Fortunately, Hercule Poirot is only a staircase away.

Poirot seeks refuge from the chilly London winter on the Mediterranean island that was then an Italian possession in "Triangle at Rhodes". He is enjoying his observations of the peculiar behavior of the English abroad with fellow guest Miss Lyall (Pamela Low), when the bickering starts. Two English couples at the hotel, the glamorous Valentine (Annie Lambert) and Comm. Tony Chantry (John Cartwright) and the rather plainer Douglas (Peter Settelen) and Margorie Gold (Angela Down), are airing their domestic problems. And then one of them is murdered. Note the Poirot theme music plucked on traditional Greek instruments in this episode.

Poirot and Capt. Hastings are enjoying the Mediterranean on a small cruise ship in "Trouble at Sea". Fellow passengers include Col. Clapperton (John Normington) and his venomous wife Adeline (Sheila Allen), spinster Miss Henderson (Anne Firbank), Mr. and Mrs. Toliver, two bubbly young ladies, two older women traveling with their young niece, an elderly ex-soldier, and Gen. Forbes (Roger Hume), who seems to be an old acquaintance of Adeline's. While most of the passengers go ashore at Alexandria, Adeline is murdered. But the people with motive to kill her were not on the ship at the time. Poirot must crack the case, while Hastings sorts out his clay pigeon shooting competition.

The DVD (Acorn 2005): Bonus features are part of a text interview with David Suchet, a short text bio for Agatha Christie, a list of Poirot books, and selective filmographies for 6 cast members. No subtitles.