Cardini and the ABC Murders

[Q. Kumber]

In the recent 3 part TV adaption of Agatha Christie's novel The ABC Murders, there's a poster at a train station in Doncaster of Cardini topping the bill. It is set in the week of April 15th 1933.

Magician Ali Cook also makes a short appearance as an army officer.

John Malkovich's Poirot, and indeed the whole story is substantially darker than any previous Poirot story I've seen or read.

[AJM]

I did spot the Cardini poster in the background although must have missed Ali Cook.

I did enjoy John Malkovich's portrayal of Poirot however I believe the story was very heavily adapted from the original which I understand upset many Agatha Christie devotees.


Andrew

[Richard Kaufman]

Malkovitch is a thoroughly bizarre casting choice, but not as bizarre as Tony Randall in the original film from the early 1960s.

Having read every Christie book, no one touches Albert Finney in the part.

The previous two BBC Christie adaptations were very good, but I might skip this.

[AJM]

Screenwriter Sarah Phelps did all three of the recent BBC adaptations.

[Richard Kaufman]

Hmmm.

[AJM]

I would recommend it Richard.

Would be interested to hear your opinion given your familiarity with the source material.

Andrew

[Richard Kaufman]

I never need films to be a slave to their original source. A book is not a movie, and vice versa.

[Joe Lyons]

Having read every Christie book, no one touches Albert Finney in the part

I beg to differ, Richard, David Suchet does an excellent job in the series.

[Q. Kumber]

The Poirot in the ABC Murders is nothing like the Poirot from the books.
Having said that, the story is very well told.

Suchet was the only actor who was the Poirot from the books.

[Richard Kaufman]

I didn't care for Suchet.

[AJM]

I never need films to be a slave to their original source. A book is not a movie, and vice versa.

I completely agree.

However:

Is this recent production any good? I enjoyed it.

Is the story told in the usual Christie style? No

Andrew

[Brad Ball]

Did anyone get a chance for a screen grab of the poster?