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51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
3 strong entries in the almost complete POIROT series, July 13, 2001
This review is from: Poirot - Collector's Set 9 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Having sung the praises of Sets 1-8 of the Acorn Media releases of <Poirot>, I can find little to add about the general excellence of this series, which offers up the shorter episodes on VHS and the longer ones on VHS and DVD formats. With 3 of the projected 12 sets to go for the shorter entries, Set 9 offers up a trio of fairly strong tales. "Dead Man's Mirror" concerns a ruthless millionaire who outbids Poirot on a mirror at an auction and then dangles the item as bait for the detective to investigate a case of fraud. There is much ado about inheritances, a second (unsigned) will, possible murderers, dinner gongs, and shots behind locked doors. And if the ending is far fetched, who cares? This one needs total concentration. "Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan" is lighthearted and contains a wonderful spoof on the mystery plays popular in Christie's own time. You will enjoy not only the usual good characterizations by the supporting cast but also the very imaginative camera shots inside a chest of drawers. "The Case of the Clapham Cook" hangs on a hoax that is a bit overly complicated, since the perpetrator could have accomplished his aims in a far less roundabout way; but then there would have been no plot. The use of disguises, fine in the original stories, often does not work on video, because it is too easy to spot the face behind the beard. All in all, superior viewing for an evening.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ChasinWV, August 21, 2006
We have been buying the collection in series order. Excellent family entertainment. The production quality does justice to the writing and performances. Very satisfactory.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Annoying Clients, December 4, 2009
Hercule Poirot prefers to take on only the most important cases. However, he occasionally finds that he has been out maneuvered by an annoying new client into accepting - what at first appears to be - an inconsequential case.
In the 'Dead Man's Mirror,' Mr. Chevenix first irritates Poirot by taking delight in outbidding him on a fancy wall mirror at an auction and then has the audacity to tell Poirot that he wants him to investigate someone who may be defrauding him. Before Poirot has a chance to refuse, Mr. Chevenix disappears down the staircase. Riled, Poirot says to his friend Hastings, "... he summons me like a mere nobody!" But then, the man offered the mirror in payment; Poirot takes the case.
In the 'Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan,' Mr. Opalsen irritates Poirot by alerting the press that the world famous detective Hercule Poirot would be attending the opening of his new play: 'Pearls before Swine.' Later that night, the Opalsen's pearls are stolen. He asks Poirot to find them, but when Hastings reminds him that he came to the seaside resort for convalescence, Poirot politely refuses. But then, Poirot finds relaxing too much of a strain; he takes the case.
In 'The Adventure of the Clapham Cook,' Mrs. Todd irritates Poirot when she asks, "Did you pay for that bit in the paper saying what a cleaver detective you were or did they put it in themselves?" Poirot's feathers are further ruffled when she ask him to find her cook. He refuses. But then she huffs: "Too proud, only deal with government secrets, crown jewels ... Mr. High-and-Mighty!" Chagrined, Poirot takes this embarrassing case.
Features: Short written bios: David Suchet and Agatha Christies. Filmographies.
Picture: good. No cropping. Sound: good. Volume: typical.
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