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A Christie Film Collection

robbied84 02 Oct 08 at 3:36 p.m. GMT

Does anyone have any further details about this partwork? I subscribed and received issues 3 & 4 months ago and nothing since! I understand it was postponed but is it actually coming back? Hope so. s

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36 replies

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johnwaynefreak 15 Nov 11 at 8:19 a.m. GMT

Calling all UK subscribers! And I have been meaning to post this for months... Just for information:

The Agatha Christie Film Collection boxset released in America (WB TV shows: Murder Is Easy; A Caribbean Mystery; Sparkling Cyanide; Murder With Mirrors; Thirteen At Dinner; Dead Man's Folly; Murder In Three Acts; The Man In The Brown Suit) is marked up as Region 1 - the slipcase, the covers, the discs, everything. Picture quality is uniformly good across the set - no extras but they do include subtitles, something the partwork sometimes omitted.

However, my Blu-Ray player refuses to play anything that isn't Region B, 2 or 0. It plays these American discs no problem, so anyone missing out on the eighties adaptations because they don't think they'll play need not worry - my PC drive confirms them as Region 0.

Often Warner Bros. will mark discs as Region 1, but in the instance where they own the worldwide rights, the releases are encoded as Region 0. It is the same with the Rutherford Marple boxset in America (all in widescreen) - marked as Region 1 but plays no problem in the UK. Just bear in mind that the releases are all NTSC rather than PAL.

In the case of the eight-disc box (worth buying because it includes "Sparkling Cyanide" and "...Brown Suit" as exclusives), you will almost certainly be hit with tax (which includes a tax on the postage costs) and the Royal Mail's handling fee currently stands at £8 on top. However, if you go for the cheapest supplier, it will work out at roughly £55-£60 altogether (inc. tax), approximately what the eight films would cost had they been released in the UK magazine partwork collection.

johnwaynefreak 07 Aug 11 at 5:59 p.m. GMT

Penyffordd, I never received a reply from the partwork company (to date). I ordered quite a few DVDs from America separately in the DeepDiscount 25% sale because they were below the VAT threshold - they were posted in one bundle and I was hit with about thirty quid in taxes! I'm afflicted with the curse of buying Christie on DVD...

patch83 09 Jun 11 at 10:49 p.m. GMT

penyffordd

johnwaynefreak - I have my eye on my bank account.

I rang the people who distributed "Film Collection".  This issue has come out early due to the collection ending early.  So when £7.99 comes out of my account then cancel the direct debit.

Also, I asked WHY had it ended?  The reply was and I quote"Eaglemoss had for weeks been trying to obtain the licence for future releases, but was unsuccessful.  Some said no and others were too expensive.  We were just as surprised as you were.  It was due to go to 60, and last year, indications were that it might go to 70.  We were just as disaapointed as you are, it was a bolt out of the blue"

Now if they are not going to go Poirots "Clocks".  Would it not be interesting to see whether the Poirot Collection will get clocks.  I know that previous subscribers got letters saying 4 new dvds, and some have just got 2 new ones, so will they get The Clocks"

To me, it was an absolute disgrace this collection.  We were promised extra dvds when available, promised certain films, even had a list at the beginning showing what they plan to release.  All it turned into was a combined Marple and Poirot.  With the Poirot magazine, cribbed word for word from the Poirot Collection magazines!

The only good thing for me was Partners in Crime, which the dvd for series is discontinued.

What about you johnwaynefreak how do you feel about this collection?

so issue 54 is the last one :( no Helen Hayes or more Peter Ustinovs.

I haven't been informed by the partwork so would have been nice to have been told by them. I haven't been sent issue 54 but already have Death on the Nile in the Complete Poirot collection.

Such a shame

penyffordd 07 Jun 11 at 6:31 p.m. GMT

johnwaynefreak let me know how you got on with your registered letter and if you get any response.  Very much interested to know.  Also would a letter to Christies Trustees about this collection be worthwhile.  They were the ones awarding the licence.

Also, johnwaynefreak, I heard from a 'source' that the subscriptions were down.  They wanted the subscriptions like the Poirot collection, but unfortunately for them, this release came smack, bang in the recession.  With the squeeze on peoples purses in 2010, subscriptions were down.  Also the VAT rise which didn't help them either (yes I know excuses, excuses)  Also they had to send out duplicates for December 2010/January 2011, when we had bad weather, parcels were stocking up at Royal Mail and at couriers.  Half the dvds sent out in the post went walkies.

I didn't know they did a test run on this collection.  I personally did not see one, but I presume I am at the wrong end of the UK.

Still would be interested to see if Clocks gets produced for the Poirot Collection??

johnwaynefreak 06 Jun 11 at 3:23 p.m. GMT

I'm very disappointed to say the least - my complaint is being sent registered mail. Amazing how the Italians manage to produce a comprehensive partwork (indeed, in some cases including the only DVD release in the world of some titles and including Italian and English audio and subtitles) yet Christie is completely shafted in her own country. I don't believe that about rights issues (if so, why not include Optimum's "Ordeal By Innocence" and "And Then There Were None" DVDs, along with ITV's "The Clocks"?) It's all about maximum profit with minimum effort and milking the subscribers - I'm sure that, although it was promised from the beginning, if Fremantle hadn't put out their "Agatha Christie Hour" discs, they would never have been included in the partwork. I'm not waiting any longer and am filling the gaps like "Spider's Web" in with bootleg discs - I can do it with a clear conscience, knowing that if they are officially released, I will of course buy them and junk the copies. I might even have a go at mocking up some covers for the bootlegs, continuing from Issue 54 on the spines... I remember when the first five test issues were released - they included the Joan Hickson "Body In The Library" and I can't help but feel the partwork would have been much better for having included a few of her films - certainly as far as "Nemesis" and "4.50 From Paddington" go. Originally, the Pauline Collins "Sparkling Cyanide" was scheduled to be issue 6 in the test run and, while it is pretty poor, it would have been an extra episode for this series (presumably it wasn't included as the official disc is now OOP). Interestingly, I was comparing the Angela Lansbury magazine from the test run with the one that was officially later released, and while the gist of the text is the same, is has been shortened / dumbed down in places. Yes, on the whole I'm very disappointed.

penyffordd 04 Jun 11 at 7:04 p.m. GMT

johnwaynefreak - I have my eye on my bank account.

I rang the people who distributed "Film Collection".  This issue has come out early due to the collection ending early.  So when £7.99 comes out of my account then cancel the direct debit.

Also, I asked WHY had it ended?  The reply was and I quote"Eaglemoss had for weeks been trying to obtain the licence for future releases, but was unsuccessful.  Some said no and others were too expensive.  We were just as surprised as you were.  It was due to go to 60, and last year, indications were that it might go to 70.  We were just as disaapointed as you are, it was a bolt out of the blue"

Now if they are not going to go Poirots "Clocks".  Would it not be interesting to see whether the Poirot Collection will get clocks.  I know that previous subscribers got letters saying 4 new dvds, and some have just got 2 new ones, so will they get The Clocks"

To me, it was an absolute disgrace this collection.  We were promised extra dvds when available, promised certain films, even had a list at the beginning showing what they plan to release.  All it turned into was a combined Marple and Poirot.  With the Poirot magazine, cribbed word for word from the Poirot Collection magazines!

The only good thing for me was Partners in Crime, which the dvd for series is discontinued.

What about you johnwaynefreak how do you feel about this collection?

johnwaynefreak 03 Jun 11 at 9:31 a.m. GMT

It turns out "Death On The Nile" is in fact the last issue, bringing the curtain down on one of the biggest let-downs associated with the Christie brand (where the hell is "The Clocks"?).

Penyffordd, be extra careful to ensure your direct debits are stopped - partwork companies can be absolute swine to deal with direct. I subscribed through the WHSmith instore order system to be on the safe side.

penyffordd 22 May 11 at 7:08 p.m. GMT

Hate to tell you this, but there are only going to be 60 parts to the Agatha Christie Film Collection.  I emailed them at the end of April, and only now got a reply!!

"Thank you for your email to Agatha Christie DVD Collection.There are currently only 60 planned issues in this collection, if there aregoing to be more we will let you know."

63 Ordeal by Innonence is a no no I am afraid.

Also, I thought there would be no more than 60.  When I subsribed way back in 2009, I had an email, stating the dates of when the direct debits would be going out the the number of the issue.  Back in 2009, it only went up to 60 and finishes for me in August 2011.

penyffordd 07 May 11 at 5:41 p.m. GMT

Had my latest editions today for the collection:-

53 - The Blue Geranium - Julia McKenize

54 - Death on the Nile - David Suchet

penyffordd 19 Apr 11 at 2:21 p.m. GMT

Update:-

Issue 50 - Pale Horse (Marple version)

Issue 51 - The Mirror Cracked from Side to Side - Julia McKenize version

Issue 52 - The Secret of Chimneys - again Julia McKenize version.

Does anyone remember, when they signed up for this collection, there would be "special editions and more"?

Anyone have any ideas what they would be?!?!?

I am awaiting issue 52, and have had no special editions and more, with my collection, anyone else?

johnwaynefreak 10 Mar 11 at 9:54 p.m. GMT

Whoops, slipped after no. 43 and went an issue ahead of myself on the above post...

Issue 48: Hallowe'en Party (Suchet)

Issue 49: Murder On The Orient Express (Suchet)

johnwaynefreak 14 Feb 11 at 1:25 p.m. GMT

Issue 43: The Man In The Mist / The Case Of The Missing Lady (P.I.C.)

Issue 45: The Mystery Of The Blue Jar / The Red Signal (T.A.C.H.)

Issue 46: The Unbreakable Alibi / The Crackler (P.I.C.)

Issue 47: Three Act Tragedy (Suchet)

Issue 48: Jane In Search Of A Job / The Manhood Of Edward Robinson (T.A.C.H.)

patch83 06 Feb 11 at 2:33 p.m. GMT

I went through the earlier list and checked off the titles that have been released and assuming that nothing will be changed.Here is whats left to be released

1 - The Agatha Christie Hour 2 - Three Act Tragedy

3 - Secret of Chimneys 4 - The Clocks

5 - Mirror Cracked form Side to Side 6 - The Pale Horse (1997)

7 - Murder on the Orient Express 8 - Blue Geranium

9 - Hallowe'en Party 10 - Murder Ahoy

11 - The Alphabet Murders 1966 12 - Sparkling Cyanide 1983

13 - Ten Little Indians (1989) 14 - Murder is Easy 1982

15 - A Caribbean Mystery 1983 16 - Murder with Mirrors 1985

17 - Thirteen at Dinner 1985 18 - Dead Man's Folly 1986

19 - Murder in Three Acts 1986 20 - The Man in the Brown Suit 1989

MissQuin 09 Dec 10 at 3:53 p.m. GMT

A fellow Partners In Crime fan! I really enjoy the seires- it's light hearted, rather frivilous fun but pure escapism. Francesca Annis is an excellent actress and it's a huge difference seeing her as Tuppence after seeing her in Cranford! The chemisrty is just right between her and tommy. I just love the costumes.

Magnolia Blossom Ive also seen and I thought it was very good. The acting was top notch although it might not please murder mystery fans as it deals with people rather than crime.

johnwaynefreak 09 Dec 10 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

Issue 42 is "Magnolia Blossom / The Case Of The Discontented Soldier".

I recently emailed the partwork to ask if they had an amended list and, after about a month, they rather amusingly emailed me the list as quoted back at the end of April on this thread, with all of the errors and duplications still in place. I emailed them back pointing out that we have already received several forthcoming issues - I look forward to receiving a reply in either January or February!

I have to say I am really enjoying re-viewing the "Partners In Crime" and "The Agatha Christie Hour" episodes, although I've never been keen on Francesca Annis. I never used to be a fan of videotaped episodes (much preferred filmed ones) but these are so polished, the big budgets really show on the screen.

And at last we have got all of the McEwan issues out of the way. Hooray!

Rudolph62 05 Dec 10 at 10:25 p.m. GMT

Hi Kirstin Kay, Issue 36 is The Case of The Middle-Aged Wife & In A Glass Darkly.

The Issues afterwards are as follows:

Issue 37 Towards Zero, Issue 38 Finessing The King & The Clergyman's Daughter, Issue 39 The Girl In The Train & The Fourth Man, Issue 40 Nemesis, Issue 41 The Sunningdale Mystery & The Ambassador's Boots. 

Hope this is helpful to you

kirstin_kay 12 Nov 10 at 3:31 p.m. GMT

Does anyone know the running order of the partworks? according to the website issue 36 is 'the case of the middle-aged wife' & 'in a glass darkly' but when I rang up to enquire about back issues I was told that these titles are in fact issue 41. I am rather confused!

johnwaynefreak 28 Aug 10 at 5:54 p.m. GMT

Issues 34 and 35 have turned out to be the McEwan "Ordeal By Innocence" and Suchet "Sad Cypress" respectively, despite both Suchet's "Appointment With Death" and the McKenzie "Evans?" being included in the partwork before the UK transmissions.

Issue 33, "The Seven Dials Mystery", had the ad-break bumpers removed - not too problematic, although the ticking of the clock that signalled the end / beginning of parts can still be heard over one or two snippets. Ad-breaks are present and correct on the Acorn Media / Network DVD release.

johnwaynefreak 06 Jun 10 at 11:13 a.m. GMT

Ms_Kylie_Menage, Issue 11 was the Ustinov "Death On The Nile", not the Suchet one.

And aren't MGM in trouble at the moment? This could explain why Ustinov's "Appointment With Death" and the Billy Wilder "Witness For The Prosecution" aren't being licensed for inclusion - MGM released these in Region 2, although WFTP was only in a Wilder boxset in the U.K.

As five titles released have been Optimum releases (Orient Express, Mirror Crack'd, Death On The Nile, Evil Under The Sun and the Ten Little Indians discs - or is it six with Endless Night?), I would expect their disc of the Donald Sutherland "Ordeal By Innocence" to be included at some point, although that was sublicensed from MGM. Similarly, Issue 63 is most likely Optimum's "And Then There Were None" (1974) which has an on-screen title of "Ten Little Indians".

Acorn Media have done the standalone release of "Seven Dials Mystery" (Issue 33) - although I'm sure I remember my disc having a Network logo at the start. Partworks such as deAgostini's John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Classic War Movie collections have included documentaries as special unnumbered issues, so perhaps the Acorn documentary discs "Agatha Christie: A Life In Pictures" and "Agatha Christie's Garden: Murder & Mystery In Devon" could be included.

The Agatha Christie signature that ran along the spines of the collection finished at no. 26, and 27 and 28 repeat this motif right down to using the Albert Finney photo at the start. We will need 78 issues to keep things pretty!

I think perhaps I look too deeply into this DVD collection  but as I recently reread the Christie canon in chronological order, I need to get my fortnightly fix somehow!

Ms_Kylie_Menage 06 Jun 10 at 8:40 a.m. GMT

Hmmm...the list they sent you is very interesting! For a start, they seem to be including the four new Poirots and for new Miss Marples. None of these were in the advertised list. I don't believe the Suchet version of Death On The Nile was included originally either.

Then of course there is the obvious error re The Agatha Christie Hour and Partners in Crime. What can issues 55, 56, 58, 60 and 61 be? Obviously not those as every episode of those two series would have already been issued by then, according to their list.

The ones previously advertised as "hoping" to be included, that now seem they will not be are -

Ustinov's Death On The Nile and Appointment With Death.

Molina's Murder On The Orient Express (no loss by all accounts).

Three Rutherford Miss Marples (why only Murder Ahoy, not even based on an Agatha Christie? With the characterisation being nothing like Miss Marple from the books there is no link here to Agatha Christie at all!)

The fairly recent TV films of The Pale Horse and Sparkling Cyanide.

Black Coffee and Lord Edgware Dies from the 1930s.

Three versions of And Then There Were None/Ten Little Indians! (1945, 1959 and 1974 missing, assuming it's the 1965 one included.)

Vintage TV - A Murder Is Announced and They Came To Baghdad.

The Last Seance.

Ordeal By Innocence (80s film - nevermind, it's terrible.)

Both versions of Witness For The Prosecution!

I was really hoping they'd include Alibi from the 1930s, and the German silent film of The Secret Adversary, and either of both versions of Spider's Web. Who knows? Maybe some of them are issue 55, 56, 58, 60 or 61?!