![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Marple mysteries are more relatable and plausible. Poirot mysteries were often highly complex, to the point of implausibility, with far-fetched back stories. In some ways, this is where the Marple series is better than Poirot. The mysteries themselves are generally quite intriguing. This strategy is not always employed, unfortunately, and, when it is, is not always done well, depending largely on the writing for the episode and the quality of the performances. Marple is a fringe character for much of the episode and then swoops in towards the end to solve the crime. This includes some potentially interesting sub-plots and backstories. To compensate for Marple's dullness, the main secondary characters are given depth, and are often made the focus of the episode. McKenzie was the better of the two, having more gravitas and presence than McEwan, but neither inject much colour or engagement into proceedings. This is regardless of whether we are talking about the first 12 episodes, when Geraldine McEwan played Marple, or the final 11 episodes, when she was played by Julia McKenzie. Miss Marple herself is quite bland, and certainly does not have enough colour or presence to carry an entire episode, let alone a series of 23 episodes. Not in the same league as Agatha Christie's Poirot (the series starring David Suchet), but generally quite watchable. A seemingly innocuous elderly woman with no background in criminal investigation, she has a knack for solving crimes, particularly murder. List of Agatha Christies Marple episodes By the Pricking of My Thumbs The Sittaford Mystery Towards Zero Ordeal by Innocence Murder is Easy Why Didnt. With Julia McKenzie, Sean Biggerstaff, David Buchanan, Siwan Morris. I will say pay attention - there are lots of murders and lots of characters.A series of adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, with Miss Jane Marple as the central character. Why Didnt They Ask Evans: Directed by Nicholas Renton. Beautifully photographed with lovely performances, this is a good TV movie - on its own merits - with very good acting all around. Slowly but surely she uncovers a web of blackmail, illegitimacy, suspected abortion and more, all stemming from a situation that took place years earlier. They have still more once she gets there. Or was she pushed? Reading about her death, Miss Marple becomes instantly suspicious and travels to the town, which has had a few accidental deaths. Minutes later, when off the train, she falls down some escalator steps. Miss Marple (MacKenzie) meets a lady on a train who talks about murder being easy and is en route to Scotland Yard. I watched this version because of my adoration of Benedict Cumberbatch, who was gorgeous in his way in this, playing the role of Luke. McKenzie has this Hickson for me was too dry and serious and McEwan is too knowing for a small town lady. She's the one I pictured when reading the books, a woman with a sparkle in her eye and loads of charm. I saw a version of this in the '80s with Helen Hayes, whom I always thought was the best Marple. And most of the time, that has nothing to do with the original story. It was broadcast on ITV by Granada Television on 10 June 2009. I like very much what one reviewer on this site said, "good on its own merits." Alas, when watching the Julia MacKenzie and Geraldine McEwan Marples, you have to forget about Agatha Christie entirely and just focus on what's in front of you. ITV Release Date: 10 June 2009 Country of Origin: United Kingdom Preceded by: Nemesis Followed by: Murder is Easy A Pocket Full of Rye is the first episode of the fourth series of Agatha Christie's Marple and the first episode featuring Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple. I guess the Christie estate doesn't care what anyone does to Agatha Christie books, as long as they get their money. ![]()
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