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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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Bundle_ 17 Sep 09 at 7:30 p.m. GMT

WHAT?! So this means that Miss Marple will be in the book!!! Noooooo!! And that Virgina is made into Bundle's sister! Horrible! And Tredwell is a woman! And "Gudgon" as Lord Catherham!

And I looked up some of the other actors and I am just in complet and utter shock that they got somone who is 37 years old (not that I am putting down that age) to play Bundle! Who AC clearly described as being much younger! She doesn't even look like her! I'm sorry but this woman is not Bundle!!! And the man they got ofr Anthony Cade! Are they kidding? He;s so rough and tumble: he is not attractive. And the guy for Bill he doesn't have a kind face like Bill does. I really don't want to see this adapt. These screen writers are ruining AC's plots. In my opinion, if she were still here, she wouldn't care for this one bit. Sorry if I sound really upset - but this cast list is pretty bad!!

go_leafs_nation 17 Sep 09 at 8:24 p.m. GMT

I was expecting this, to be honest. Let's be serious, what other novels are there that Miss Marple would fit into? Passenger to Frankfurt? Murder on the Orient Express? And Then There Were None? Please.

I'm looking forward to Edward Fox being in an Agatha Christie again (he played Gudgeon in The Hollow). As opposed to Bundle, I think this is a good casting choice. He's perfect for the role.

The cast list is decent. The episode sounds like it may have been left in the wrong hands, though. Let's examine this further:

Paul Rutman (screenwriter) also wrote the script for the rather fantastic They Do It With Mirrors (he improved on the book, IMO, especially in the emotional detatchement of the book's characters-- plus he made the confrontation far more cinematic and engaging than the book's "two-people-shouting-through-a-closed-door-whilst-others-listen"). I'm not jumping to conclusions about him, though, as it's the only one he's done so far.

If I'm right, John Strickland is the one who directed the Poirot short eppy The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb. That's... interesting.

My verdict: this might be worth watching. I'm certainly keeping an eye out for it!

Bundle_ 17 Sep 09 at 8:32 p.m. GMT

Edward Fox is a great actor, however he looks nothing like how AC described Lord Caterham. As for Bundle if AC had described her as 37 I still would have liked her, it really isn't her age I have a problem w/ because if Bundle had been in her 30's in the book and they made her in the adapt they made her to be in her early 20's I would have been upset w/ that too, it's just that this actress isn't how AC described Bundle.

And it is rather laughable. I mean: Jonas Armstrong, the scruffy guy from Robin Hood, as the handsome Anthony Cade!? Are they serious?

The only casts members so far I can see working are Charlotte Salt as Virginia, and Adam Godley as Codders: he really looks like him.

And so much for Dulcie and Guggle!

All I can hope is that Battle is the Chief Inspector. But if he really is in it ,I would be surprised because he would upstage Marple.

go_leafs_nation 17 Sep 09 at 8:35 p.m. GMT

I disagree. He could easily play Bundle's father. I believe you applauded the choice of the actor in The Seven Dials Mystery, and Fox has a resemblence in his aura (a superficial one, physically) to that actor.

Bundle_ 17 Sep 09 at 8:40 p.m. GMT

You mean John Gielgud. I still couldn't shake the image out of my head that he was Beddoes in MOTOE. But I don't recall ever applauding him. But he was alright.

But I don't think of Edward Fox as hoity toity. I mean even when I saw him in Oliver Twist as Mr. Brownlow he just didn't pull off the rich persona right.

shanty_sleuth 17 Sep 09 at 9:41 p.m. GMT

John Strickland directed the McEwan version of A Murder Is Announced. I'm not worried about him. It's just that Mr. Rutman, who wrote the best adaptation last season, has rewritten this novel in the way we're accustomed to seeing Stephen Churchett do. I guess this could work. He's changed the book to have a more Marple-y feel to it. But I just can't grasp this strange plot. I mean, why is it so odd that Bundle and Treadwell are at Chimneys? Are they estranged from Lord Caterham? And I'm at a loss to see this Miss Blenkinsopp character being anything less than the murderer. Her inclusion seems so jarring, and it seems evident that she wasn't in the book.

I think that the title seems to have been expounded far more than in the actual book. Especially with that bit about the bones of the servant. Hmm. I think I'm still looking forward to The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side more.

Bundle_ 17 Sep 09 at 9:55 p.m. GMT

I would like to point out 2 things.

The first: I hope I didn't sound critical over the actress who is playing Bundle's age as I do NOT consider 37 as old in the least. I am NOT bothered about her age or her personaly. It's only the character changes I have a problem w/.

Secondly, go leafs I see your point about MM not being in Passenger to Frankfurt, same thing goes w/ They Came to Baghad. My Mom pointed out the same thing to me a few weeks ago: that there is no way they would adapt something as adventures, and complex as those novels w/ MM.

But why they cant adapt the short stories w/ MM in them is beyond me.

Puffinjill 18 Sep 09 at 1:42 p.m. GMT

I know! Why can't they and leave OTHER THINGS ALONE. I didn't know about this adaptation of The Secret of Chimneys and, again, I'm asking those same questions - why are they messing around with a great book? I am so hoping that you are right, Bundle and go leafs, and they will leave alone some of the texts. Anyone mess with They Came to Baghdad and they will be answerable to me.

I'll shut up now and go away. I'm getting all worked up.

Bundle_ 18 Sep 09 at 1:51 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Anyone mess with They Came to Baghdad and they will be answerable to me.

I'll shut up now and go away. I'm getting all worked up.

Haha. But you're right. It makes one so upset to see the books that we spent our time reading being destroyed on screen before our very eyes! I never thought I would be so upset over this, but it just proves that these screenwriters/producers have gone too far!

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Sep 09 at 2:30 p.m. GMT

I am SHOCKED, APPALLED, ANGRY and FURIOUS!!!!!!!!!!! How dare they mess with such a brilliant book? I personall would prefer they messed with Murder On The Orient Express I CAN see Miss Marple in that aswell as a couple of other Poirot's - Yes I know everybody else dissagrees with me but to destroy The Secret of Chimneys is disgusting, Please ITV if you are going to do anymore Non-MIss Marples and you aren't going to do Poirot books which you seem to think are off limits PLEASE do books where it dsoesn't matter if you mess with them like Endless Night, Sparkling Cyanide and Just perhaps The Man In The Brown Suit although I liked that, Great casting of Adam Godley though, I think he would make a good Tommy.

Bundle, you can't just blame the Screenwriters the people who let them like the Producers, Directors and the Agatha Christie Estate must take some of the blame.

Bundle_ 18 Sep 09 at 2:34 p.m. GMT

Oh I'm not giving any excuses to the producers, directors or the Christie estate w/ the handling of these adaptations. They are as much at fault as the screen writers. The casting directors are also to be very much to blame!

The only really nice casting, is as you said Tommy, Adam Godley. But the rest is just plain horrible!!

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Sep 09 at 2:54 p.m. GMT

Edward fox isn't too bad as Lord Caterham although I still prefer the idea of Geoffrey Hutchings playing him.

Think of it this way, If I told you to hit someone it would be up to you to turn round and refuse so if the Estate or the Producers told the Writers to write MM into a book where she doesn't belomng it is upto the Writers (and maybe even Julia McKenzie) to refuse, I bet if she did or GM had they would have to re-think their attitude.

go_leafs_nation 18 Sep 09 at 3:38 p.m. GMT

Dare I say this? I'm not too fond of Chimneys (Seven Dials, the sequel, is far better in my opinion), and I probably won't mind this adaptation as much as Sleeping Murder and The Sittaford Mystery.

Bundle_ 18 Sep 09 at 4:01 p.m. GMT

I could tell you weren't fond of it. But I am fond of the novel. 

I'm sure you wouldn't be too happy about it, mon ami, if they deleted Ms Oliver from Halloween Party or replaced her w/ another actresss like Geraldine McEwan who would never be suited for that role. And then they go around and change certain things from the novel like instead of the girl bobbing for apples she's now a he and he is playing football at the party instead of bobbing for apples. Now I wouldn't like these changes but I wouldn't talk or complain about it too much because Haloween Party isn't one of my favorites, and I know you like it. But you would probably not be happy w/ the changes and say much more about it than I ever would.

It's the same way w/ how I feel about the plot and cast for Chimneys: the majority of them don't look like the characters at all!

go_leafs_nation 18 Sep 09 at 6:40 p.m. GMT

I'm not too big on physical differences, to be honest. I don't cry that Susan was a blonde in the book and a brunette in the movie. I don't complain that Dr. Ffiliput is 5 foot 9 in the movie and 5 foot 11 in the book. I only complain when (say) a 2o year old plays a part intended for a 50 year old. In other words, I catch huge differences, but not minor ones. I might remember the plot of every AC, but I'm not a database for character descriptions.

As for the changes to Hallowe'en Party, it's one of my favourites, but not one of AC's best. I approach it like all the others novels, in that I'm open to changes, as long as they don't turn it into A Streetcar Named Desire. I personally think that they could have a lot of fun with it. And as Zoe Wanamaker is somewhat well-known, I'm sure they wouldn't drop an opportunity for her to return for an episode. And as she seems to enjoy her outings as Mrs. Oliver, I'm not worried about them recasting the character.

The Secret of Chimneys is definately altered. Anyone can tell. Whoever wants an adaptation that reproduces the book could've turned away months ago (I know we only just learned of it, but bear with me). The question is, will these changes be pulled off well like they were in A Murder is Announced or By The Pricking of My Thumbs or as poorly as they were in The Sittaford Mystery? Personally, I like the screenwriter's and director's previous work. I'm hoping for a good movie, even if it isn't a carbon copy of the book.

At any rate, I'm kind of scared to see what HOLLYWOOD will come up with when the AC copyright expires and her work floods into the public domain... See what they've done to poor Sherlock Holmes! **shudder**

go_leafs_nation 18 Sep 09 at 6:45 p.m. GMT

Puffinjill

Anyone mess with They Came to Baghdad and they will be answerable to me.

I wouldn't worry about Baghdad. Not only is it one of the less popular novels (I despised it, personally), but it's more of a thriller. Miss Marple wouldn't be caught dead in Baghdad chasing around a young man with her niece or whatever, and either way, the producers wouldn't want to send her there if Suchet does the Orient Express and Mackenzie goes to the Caribbean.

Bundle_ 18 Sep 09 at 7:44 p.m. GMT

go_leafs_nation

I'm not too big on physical differences

We all have our own vices. I for one am big on physical differences and the motto: If something isn't broken don't fix it. Why do they need to delete Dulcie and Guggle? And why do so many of the characters in the books appearences have to be altered on screen? You mean there was such a short supply of actors that they couldn't find a more handsome actor to play Anthony Cade? I doubt it.

I know Zoe Wannamaker would never step down from playing Ms. Oliver, although I do think someone else would be more suitable for the role. I'm just noting the many ways the people connected w/ the adaptations can change and alter plots etc.

As for Sherlock Holmes, I know you like those books as do many, many people, but I have never really cared for them: they are a bit too gory, in my opinion. No offense though.

And I think that the whole franchise has been adapted for screen and TV so much that any changes to it wouldn't be so bad; because 1. Perhaps fans want to see something new done w/ Holmes. and 2. The other adapts before Holmes are probably pretty faithful to the novels so the essence of them would never be ruined, namely: they have other adapts to fall back on if this one stinks, and this is not the case w/ Chimneys. It is a HUGE possibility that Chimneys will never be done again so this is the publics and avid Christie fans last chance to see it done right/ The same cannont be said about Sherlock Holmes.

go_leafs_nation 18 Sep 09 at 8:20 p.m. GMT

The difference is that far more people will see Sherlock Holmes than Marple.

Bundle_ 18 Sep 09 at 10:59 p.m. GMT

People would go and see an Agatha Christie adapt like ATTWN or one w/ Miss Marple too if they were in theaters.

aurorajayne 18 Sep 09 at 11:58 p.m. GMT

This is the first I've heard of this new adaptation and I have to say, based on the changes to the story alone I will not go out of my way to see it.  As for casting, I always sort of envisioned Matt Lucas done up as an old man playing Lord Caterham.  Odd, I know, but for me it fits. :)