Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Horrible, fascist and poorly acted

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

The start of the second series and ITV are already dipping their toes in a feature length Poirot as this was shown as a two part story.Poirot and Hastings are holidaying in the Cornish coast. Poirot seems enchanted by a young lady Nick Buckley who lives nearby in a small house. The trouble is she has had several close shaves with death in the past few days. This arouse Poirot's interest in the young lady. When Nick's cousin comes to stay with her, she is later found dead apparently mistaken for Nick.Poirot and Hastings are joined by Inspector Japp. Miss Lemon also joins them and has a part to play in unveiling the culprit.The story works well as a two part story without feeling flabby. The art production, location shooting, costumes still carry the high standards set from the first series.The story leaves little clues behind to help you unmask the eventual killer, the resolution felt it went over a little too fast that included forged documents and cocaine addiction. Polly Walker is ravishing as Nick Buckley.

Poirot and Hastings set off for a well earned holiday in St Looe, Cornwall. At the hotel Poirot twists his ankle and is helped by the gorgeous Magdela 'Nick' Buckley. She tells her story, her beautiful nearby home End House falls into disrepair, more seriously, she's escaped several deadly accidents. Another 'accident' happens in front of Poirot's eyes, a bee flies past her, but on closer inspection the bee has left a bullet hole. Poirot returns the hat, and explains his fears. Poirot takes a personal interest in the safety of Nick, he insists she has someone close to her, she calls for her cousin Maggie Buckley. During a firework show at End house, tragedy strikes, Maggie is found dead, wearing Nick's shawl. The first feature length episode is such a goody, the first in a format that we'd come to love for many a year. I understand there were a few amendment from the book, but they are so minor, it's a very faithful adaptation.I love the whole chocolate poisoning sequence, it looks so effective, re-written from the book, but it works so well.The highlight of the episode is undoubtedly the ending, the revelation sequences work incredibly well, they are very poignant.The scenery is breathtaking, it is such a beautiful setting. The episode is a visual treat, the scenes in the hotel, the clothes, Freddie in particular gets to wear some great outfits. Wonderful music throughout, it feels so authentic.Polly Walker literally left me speechless in this episode, one of her very first TV appearances, she is absolutely spellbinding, terribly sweet throughout. When I read the book, she is the character I see in my mind's eye.Miss Lemon is particularly good, at last we get to see her glammed up, and her séance scenes are brilliant.For anyone seeing this mystery for the first time, and unaware of the plot the solution will come as a surprise, it's such a cleverly written story.I think it's an excellent episode, truly enjoyable. 8/10

The first of Christie's full length novels to be adapted for ITVs long running Poirot, Peril at End House sets the mark (a high one). Without giving away too much, I'll say that, for me anyway, there was a definitive line between the aspects of the film that I class as "good" and "bad". To begin with the good - as usual the acting is of top quality; Polly Walker stood out particularly as young Nick Buckley, Alison Sterling portrayed Fredrica Rice perfectly, pale faced, a little aloof exactly as I'd envisaged her in the book; and of course David Suchet as the brilliant Hercule Poirot. Seeing Carol Macready (102 Dalmatians) was a pleasant surprise, not whom I'd have pictured as Mrs Croft - she seemed considerably younger and vivacious compared to the disabled Mrs Croft in the book, however brought a grin to my face on several occasions. Yet again, the music is beautiful, as are costumes (notably Polly Walker in her first scene). The time period has been captured and presented exceptionally well bringing a real authentic feel to the film, something that isn't as strong with some of the newer Poirot adaptations.Peril at End House is almost entirely faithful to the novel which is in the middle of the road of the five Poirot stories I've read, the best being Death on The Nile. I love the story and the intricacy of some of the characters as they grow throughout. Despite identifying the murderer early on (I rarely do) there's always another twist or turn waiting round the corner to catch you out. Unfortunately, whether down to cutting or simple lack of planning a substantial amount of questions remain unanswered after the climax in which the murderer is revealed. The book does reveal the answers but I was disappointed to see that the film didn't; omissions include explanations as to Maggie Buckley's arrival, the bullet, the chocolates, the motive behind a hatred toward a certain person. Being one of the longer films, 100 minutes, this was probably a time issue, however with certain slow points in the middle, it would have been satisfying to have a more expressive conclusion. Brilliant, nonetheless. I highly recommend to all! Acting, scenery and music is immense but may need to read novel to clarify unanswered questions or theories.

Hercule Poirot and Captain Hastings travel to a small seaside English town for some "restful vacation". But that is not exactly what they get, when they meet a young woman who owns a large house near their hotel, and whose life seems to be in danger.This is a 100-minute-long episode of the Poirot series, and I'd be lying if I said that the pacing never lags - it does. At the same time, I wish the post-climax had gone on a bit longer, to allow Poirot to make some further explanations. As it stands, the plot has some unclear points (the bullet....the poisoned chocolates....the cousin that was invited upon the insistence of Poirot....obviously I can't go any further without spoiling things), and it is possible that it doesn't stand up 100% under scrutiny. On the other hand, there's plenty to like here: the wonderful locations and production design, the exceptional acting, the cinematic direction, the small clues planted here and there ("Oh, how I like them!", says Poirot), some laugh-out-loud moments (the scene where Hastings tries to explain who Poirot is to Nick is a small masterpiece of writing and acting, as is the one of Inspector Japp on the beach).As for another reviewer's remark, "how beautiful is Polly Walker!", the answer is: more beautiful than words can explain. (***)