Poirot - The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Even as a diehard Agatha Christie/Poirot fan, I wasn't expecting all that much from this one. I won't spoil anyone who hasn't read the book (though you should---it's excellent!), so I'll just generally note that there's something unique about the way this particular book was written that made it powerful and memorable, and I doubted that would translate to the screen. I shouldn't have worried, though---I found myself so happily surprised by how well this film turned out. I know many feel these later Poirot entries are too dark and serious compared to the earlier ones, but there's a sneaky amount of humor here. Glimpses of Poirot as a hapless, profoundly frustrated would-be gardener while donning an amusing hat had me hitting the rewind button. (The one thing that strains credulity a bit is that Poirot---who always loved the city and strongly disliked the country---would choose to retire in this random village, but I was very willing to just go along for the ride!) On a deeper note, the fact that Poirot is so desperately trying to fling himself into a new avocation is indicative of how much he's missing what he's meant to do: solve murders. Fortunately for him (though obviously not fortunately for the victim, who Poirot assisted years ago and is still friendly with), the opportunity to do that very thing soon presents itself. The titular Murder of Roger Ackroyd occurs soon after we meet him, and it's quickly established that a handful of people had possible motives. Most of the various suspects and other side characters are quite flawed, of course, yet somehow 'real', relatable and interesting to watch rather than obnoxiously hateful. It helps that they're all exceptionally well cast in their roles, as is typical of this series.Poirot doesn't take quite as overtly a dim view of human nature here as he does in some later installments. I'm guessing that's because the written account of the murder, which the anonymous-until-the-end culprit has thoughtfully penned for us and which we hear snippets of throughout, expresses such a deep contempt of the murder's fellow villagers that Poirot being too pointed or bitterly judgmental here would feel redundant. As always, Poirot is determined, brilliant, lovable as much because of his flaws as his strengths, and played to absolute perfection by David Suchet. Also as (almost!) always, the scenery and costumes are beautiful to look at, the dialogue is sharp, and the film is very well shot. We also get those fascinating insights human nature and behavior that the best mysteries provide. The best compliment I can give this one is that I didn't even mourn the absence of Hastings and Miss Lemon here, both of whom I tend to miss when they don't pop up in these later installments. It helps that we get a surprise appearance by Japp. He and Poirot are so genuinely happy to see each other that it warms my Christie-obsessed heart!This one is going on the shelf reserved for Christie adaptations that I could and do rewatch too many times to count.

enjoyed this one so much. story, direction and acting top notch.

LOVE that Suchet.....er, Poirot!! Great plot, plenty of red herrings and the usual surprise ending. Highly recommended!!

If I ever desired to kill my spouse and frame someone else, this story is a very good blueprint for success. This Agatha Christie has everything, Mystery, Romance, intrigue. Every woman wishes she were beautiful, charming and was the type for men to fall in love with.

Excellent. David Suchet is great as Poirot.

As advertised.

Love the Poirot films

"The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" brought "Agatha Christie's Poirot" back in 2000 after a hiatus of four years. Perhaps this mystery was selected to re-introduce the series, because it brings Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) out of retirement. For reasons unexplained, the Belgian detective has quit London for the village of King's Abbott, where he is perfecting his vegetable garden. But Poirot cannot escape man's criminal nature. He becomes concerned about his friend Roger Ackroyd (Malcolm Terris), who owns a large chemical company, after Ackroyd's paramour Mrs. Dorothy Farrars (Rosalind Bailey) dies of apparent suicide. Ackroyd had learned that someone was blackmailing Dorothy over the suspicious death of her late husband. He intends to find the culprit, but the culprit finds him first.The novel "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" was published in 1926 and is considered one of Agatha Christie's best on account of its unusual structure and surprise ending. Screenwriter Clive Exton has tried to bring some elements of the structure to the film. The story is told from two perspectives in parallel. Poirot is reading the diary of the murderer after the crime has been solved, and we watch the crime and its solution play out while the murderer narrates. There is nothing wrong with this structure except that it is superfluous. It is a method of incorporating the murderer's diary, which becomes a plot point later on, into the film. The alternative would have been to leave the diary out of the story entirely. Undoubtedly, some viewers will prefer the path not taken.David Suchet is in great form as Poirot after a few years away from playing the detective. Poirot betrays dismay at his own inability to save his friend and mounting frustration at lying witnesses. Inspector Japp (Philip Jackson) makes an appearance, though he was not in the book, and Poirot is overjoyed to see his old friend. Poirot's reasons for leaving London and his disquiet at visiting his old haunts are never clear, and they leave the audience a little uneasy. This isn't one of the series top-tier episodes, but it's solid entertainment. It's nice to see the show was still going strong in Series 7 and into its second decade. The DVD (A&E 2000) offers no subtitles or bonus features but forces the viewer to watch an ad for A&E.

J'adore les films d'Hercule Poirot joué par David Suchet. Dommage qu'il ne soit pas en français sur ce DVD.

This item was well packaged, as described and arrived in a timely manner. I would advise people to buy a British copy since in this version the picture is cut off at the sides due to the aspect ratio.