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Marple: The Secret of Chimneys

shanty_sleuth 17 Sep 09 at 7:27 p.m. GMT

I haven't read the book yet, but I own a copy. And I think that this is a complete rewrite, because I know for certain that Bundle never had a sister named Virginia. Nor was Treadwell a woman. This one seems Marplefied to the extreme. The synopsis really left me empty. This could be a major disappointment, but you be the judge.

The Secret of Chimneys stars Jonas Armstrong, Michelle Collins, Stephen Dillane, Edward Fox, Adam Godley, Anthony Higgins, Mathew Horne, Ruth Jones, Dervla Kirwan, and Charlotte Salt.A lavish weekend party sees Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) accompany Lady Virginia Revel (Charlotte Salt) to her family home of Chimneys – a house which was once prized for its diplomatic gatherings until a rare diamond was stolen from the premises over twenty years ago. The tenacious career politician, George Lomax (Adam Godley), has persuaded Virginia’s father, Lord Caterham (Edward Fox), to host an evening for an important Austrian Count, Ludwig Von Stainach (Anthony Higgins). Virginia, the daughter of Miss Marple’s late cousin, must decide by the end of the weekend whether to accept a marriage proposal from George Lomax or to follow her heart and the courtship of another more adventurous suitor, Anthony Cade (Jonas Armstrong).  Dismayed by the odd array of guests, including socialist spinster Miss Blenkinsopp (Ruth Jones), Caterham’s formidable eldest daughter Bundle (Dervla Kirwan) and the quietly inscrutable maidservant Treadwell (Michelle Collins), Lomax castigates his affable assistant Bill Eversleigh (Mathew Horne), who also has a soft spot for Virginia. It becomes apparent that Count Ludwig has taken a personal interest in Chimneys and a contract for the sale of the house is drawn up with Caterham. That same evening, in the middle of the night, the house guests are stirred from their beds by security and the Count cannot be found. The sound of a gunshot is heard from a secret passageway in the house and Count Ludwig is found dead in the arms of Anthony Cade. Why is Cade at Chimneys? And is Virginia’s suitor being framed for murder?  A Chief Inspector (Stephen Dillane) arrives from Scotland Yard to investigate, enlisting Miss Marple’s help.  Together they discover a coded message in the pocket of the dead Count which could hold the key to the mystery. But when the bones of a young servant, murdered over twenty years ago, are uncovered Miss Marple begins to realise that the secret of Chimneys is darker than even she had realised.The Secret of Chimneys has been adapted by Paul Rutman and is to be directed by John Strickland. Karen Thrussell produces both current Marple and Poirot series.

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99 replies

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MissQuin 07 Apr 10 at 1:44 p.m. GMT

I just hope that in Chimney's, the suspects are NOT all gathered into a room. It just has become tiresome and Miss Marple doesn't really tend to do that in the books.

go_leafs_nation 07 Apr 10 at 12:58 p.m. GMT

Well, I haven't been fanatically preaching against this film so far, but reading that the ending has been altered (and more specifically, the identity of the new murderer ...), I think it's safe to say this has gone too far. (Boy, reading about this REALLY makes me look forward to what mess they'll make of The Pale Horse- I'm still mad about JJ Feild being Osborne.)

The moral of the story: you cannot out-Christie Agatha Christie. Stop trying.

MissQuin 07 Apr 10 at 9:29 a.m. GMT

I doubt I'll like Secret of Chimneys. I didn't like the book much, but without Battle and the real Bundle, I'm not interested.

I will probably watch them when they air on UK TV. I like to make my own mind up. If it is bad it'll give me something to moan about!

TheButlerDidIT 06 Apr 10 at 8:47 p.m. GMT

The book personally is one of my faves! So I doubt it!

MissQuin 06 Apr 10 at 1:30 p.m. GMT

No I'ts not been on yet. It's on DVd though, so that's how some people in the UK have seen it. I wouldn't get your hopes up though. But you never know, you might like it.

TheButlerDidIT 06 Apr 10 at 1:11 p.m. GMT

Has Evans been aired in the UK? Have I missed it?

McGinty 06 Apr 10 at 11:58 a.m. GMT

Well Shanty,maybe I'm the first, but I enjoyed Evans ! To be honest I've enjoyed all the new Marples, although not seen Chimneys yet.

MissQuin 06 Apr 10 at 11:38 a.m. GMT

Ok, so the latest Marple's havent got as many added homosexuals as the McEwans'. A sore point with alot of fans. But are they better- well I don't think so. It's like the balance is never right in the new Marple's. Theryre either too frothy or too dark.

Theyve not toned down the racy stories, seems theyve added more! I think a scene in Pocket full of Rye was cut out the UK version, because I didn't see it. Nor do I want to. It's not part of the story, not part of Christie's books. The new Marple's have upped the idea of unpleasant deaths.

Sorry I misunderstood you Shanty, well thanks for putting the link anyway!

shanty_sleuth 05 Apr 10 at 9:19 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

Shanty_sleuth, congratulations on your review. You highlighted the changes from the book so well, the adaptation doesn't sound much good. I had high hopes when Julia McKenzie took over, who is closer to AC's Marple. But I'd hoped the series would improve. It is not so...

We haven't had Why Didn't They Ask Evan's over here in the UK yet but from what Ive read, it's not worth bothering with. I heard it's rather grusome? so I don't know what the makers were thinking.

What have they done to Bundle?! I loved her high spirited, joie de Vivre, her energy. Why is she a middle aged, world weary spinster? Do they think that's more enjoyable to watch on screen? I don't think so!

I wasn't the one who reviewed the episode, but you're welcome anyway. 

Well, I suppose one could call the murders in the McKenzie version of Why Didn't They Ask Evans? gruesome. The killer/s, at one point, kill/s someone with snake venom and deadly orchids. It's not pleasant. And the denouement is so utterly stupid... but I won't go into details. I detest this adaptation, and have yet to find someone who actually liked it.

Ah, yes. I have no idea why they changed Bundle's character so drastically. I'm sure everyone would rather see the energetic Bundle instead of the spinsterly one.

GKCfan 05 Apr 10 at 8:15 p.m. GMT

Thanks for the great review, shanty_sleuth!  I prefer to be warned about changes beforehand so I know what to expect.

MissQuin 05 Apr 10 at 7:10 p.m. GMT

Shanty_sleuth, congratulations on your review. You highlighted the changes from the book so well, the adaptation doesn't sound much good. I had high hopes when Julia McKenzie took over, who is closer to AC's Marple. But I'd hoped the series would improve. It is not so...

We haven't had Why Didn't They Ask Evan's over here in the UK yet but from what Ive read, it's not worth bothering with. I heard it's rather grusome? so I don't know what the makers were thinking.

What have they done to Bundle?! I loved her high spirited, joie de Vivre, her energy. Why is she a middle aged, world weary spinster? Do they think that's more enjoyable to watch on screen? I don't think so!

shanty_sleuth 05 Apr 10 at 5:47 p.m. GMT

The episode has finally aired in Norway.

So, what has been changed? Who is the new murderer? Why does some of the plot resemble the short story The Herb of Death? And what is Miss Marple doing holding a torch while creeping through tunnels?

The answers, mon amis, can be found: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1511429/

Be warned: there are massive spoilers that will give away the killer's identity, their motive, and much more. Scroll down to see rabyhook's lengthly review, or visit the message board to read a thorough synopsis by ChateauVersailles. Then, return here and angrily vent your rage if you loved the book, and are horrified by its treatment.

MissQuin 10 Mar 10 at 4:42 p.m. GMT

Umm, an ego to match. Or is that just the macho Mr Nasty image that's put on for TV?

McGinty 10 Mar 10 at 4:30 p.m. GMT

MissQuin

Ahhh! Ok, maybe Simon Cowell could play a murderer but I think he's too busy!

Well, he does have a criminal haircut, that's for sure !

MissQuin 10 Mar 10 at 4:25 p.m. GMT

Ahhh! Ok, maybe Simon Cowell could play a murderer but I think he's too busy!

McGinty 10 Mar 10 at 4:24 p.m. GMT

I think Tommy meant Simon Callow

MissQuin 10 Mar 10 at 3:47 p.m. GMT

Simon Cowell?? I missed that one!

I didn't think Keria's height would be a problem, but she's in a play atm and doing Pirates 4 etc. I think the right age (24?) and slim enough. The fact Holly Willoughy's in Marple had caused a stir and she's not a Hollywood actress! In fact she isnt a actress at all.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Mar 10 at 3:43 p.m. GMT

I agree MissQuinn Keira KnKnightly would be good but I think she is too tall, The Fame thing doesn't matter as Derek Jacobi and Joan Collins have both been in Marples as wel as Simon Cowell and I would have thought they were too Famous. 

MissQuin 10 Mar 10 at 3:36 p.m. GMT

Oh, yes I do know her! Thanks Tommy.  Yes, I remember her in Father Ted, doing the dream version of Ballykissangel. Theres no way whatsoever, despite her being a good actress, I'd see her as Bundle. I thought Keria Knigtley would be good as Bundle? but she's too busy and too famous.

Tommy_A_Jones 10 Mar 10 at 3:32 p.m. GMT

ervla Kerwin is an Irish Actress, she played Assumpta in BallyKissangle and played the The Defending Lawyer in the episode where she was Defending a Child in Law and Order UK, she also Narrated the Parrish programme which centred on a Female Vicar in Boscastle, She is definitely NOT my idea of what Bundle Looks like.

Considering how much they have changed things they could change the location of A Caribbean Mystery to one of the Channel Islands or Scotland or even a Coastal Town if Finance is the problem, I don't think it would take much tweaking and make much difference.