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Marple and Poirot - Into 2009

14 Nov 08 11:57AM

Those of you who have been alert to news reports in various places, including this site, will be aware that the UK’s ITV Network have asked for another eight Christie films – four Marple films and four Poirot films.  Great news, of course.  And, yes, of course, you’ll all be wanting to know which titles we’re going to be making. Well, sorry to disappoint you, but the answer is that, as yet, we just don’t know which stories will be in next year’s package – so anyone posting a definitive list on this site or anywhere else ( claiming ‘inside knowledge’) is telling fibs; and any news stories you may have read are merely speculating as to which titles we’ll be filming.  We have a pretty good idea, but the last thing I would want to do is to make promises that we won’t be able to fulfill.  ‘How so?’ I hear you ask.  ‘Surely it’s just a matter of choosing the titles, getting them written, press record on the camera, and bish bash bosh, you have another set of star-studded TV films ready for your eager and expectant public?’

If only …

To start with Poirot: there are only a limited number of titles left to shoot, so anyone who likes to play guessing games is immediately at an advantage;  and, as you will probably have read ( we said this to the press, so there is a certain veracity to the message), we hope to make Murder On The Orient Express within the next set of films. But do take note of the word ‘hope’, as there are a lot of things that can happen to scupper our plans between now and the cameras turning on a shot of M Poirot waddling down a railway platform, valise in hand.  First of all, we need to find a writer who is ready, willing and able to  take on such an iconic title.  The search for really good screenwriters is the first priority of any pre-production period for these films, and for a title that’s so loved and so well-known, the problem is even bigger:  some of the best writers might feel  that Paul Dehn and Anthony Shaffer’s script for Sidney Lumet’s 1974 film said it all, so what more could they offer?  Why would they want to risk their reputation by putting heart and soul into something that’s bound to draw comparisons with such an iconic movie?  Now it just so happens that we think we’re going to land an extraordinary writer to do this very job – but I’m not going to tempt fate by revealing his name just yet.  Watch this space.

If we do go ahead with something as spectacular (and expensive) as Orient Express, that has an immediate impact on our choices for the other titles: in simple terms, given that we have a limited (and, sadly, ever-decreasing) amount of money to make these films, then at least one of  the other titles needs to be ‘containable’ (producer-speak for ‘cheaper’) in order to balance the books.  This doesn’t mean less well-written, less well-cast or employing lower production values, but it does mean that we’ll probably need to reduce the number of different locations necessary to tell the story, and have more of the scenes in a single set (so those of you anticipating a Poirot story that takes place largely in one location – like a house – should pop down to William Hill and place your bets as soon as Orient Express is confirmed …)

Not much space left to talk about Marple for next year, but suffice to say we’re faced with a similar set of issues for these films, plus the additional factor that we’re running out of ‘authentic’ Miss Marple novels, so our choices here also involve a balance of ‘genuine’ Marple titles and titles into which we feel she could be comfortably parachuted (that may not be the most appropriate image to use …);  it won’t surprise you to learn that discussions on this very subject are some of the most lively within this organization!  Most importantly on Marple matters, I can report (for those of you who read my last blog, and are therefore anxious on my behalf) that the marmalade-making season after Christmas has been protected within the schedule, that Julia will have plenty of time to deliver her regular batch before going into preparation for the role, and that, as a consequence, your correspondent’s breakfast supply has been secured for another few months.

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80 comments

giannisk21 19 Jan 11 at 9:11p.m.

I would like to see one season with the labours as 50 min episodes and next year the final season with the remaining five: Dead man's follie, Elephants can remember, Black Coffee,The Big Four and Curtain!

AndrewM 12 Jan 11 at 1:05p.m.

Well I think we can safely assume the intention is to make the last four novels. What continues to keep the speculation alive however, is that Suchet is nearly always "quoted" as syaing there are six more to make. It's possible he's being misquoted, but were he not - then what is he referring to?

A combined "Labours" and a filmed version of Black Coffee?

Until the names of the "final series" are announced, the Jury's (twelve men good and true) still out.

giannisk21 11 Jan 11 at 5:15p.m.

Well no updates as to the episodes yet. There are 4 novels left to film. But maybe they do The Labours of Hercules as well... I personally would like to see all of them!!

AndrewM 10 Jan 11 at 10:15a.m.

Good news indeed and a long time coming!

So they are going to make Dead Man's Folly. Look forward to other news. And so it starts again - just like this thread started - what will they be making in 2011? And when?

giannisk21 06 Dec 10 at 8:40p.m.

Good news everyone!!! 13th season to be made next year!!!!!
Check the article here:
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/212740/Poirot-beats-axe-to-solve-more-murders

tholthorpe 29 Oct 10 at 11:32a.m.

Well i watched the HALLOWEEN PARTY last wednesday night with it's first airing on ITV1..
It was very good ,one of Christies more darker tales me thinks.

pauly1138 07 Aug 10 at 11:05p.m.

The DVD version HAS the Kimono scene in it and is referenced at least 3 times. Just watched it with my in-laws who agree it is a superior version to any other.
I have never been so moved by a Suchet performance before, the dark tones, the brutal way we see ratchett die, the questions of justice and God, all provide us with a Poirot with new dimensions other than the calculating crime solver. Suchet has excelled himself and has given us, in my opinion, the best Poirot episode EVER.
Pauly.

giannisk21 30 Jul 10 at 1:24p.m.

Hey Pauly the MOTOE in the DVD is the full version? Does it have the kimono scene? I can't find it anywhere....

pauly1138 29 Jul 10 at 2:08p.m.

Just received Poirot season 12 on DVD. Had to have the Dutch version but i can switch the subtitles off. It has THE CLOCKS, THREE ACT TRAGEDY, HALLOWEEN PARTY & MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS on it.
Can't understand why they haven't been aired in this country yet.
I recommend all you Poirot fans to get it.
Pauly.

pauly1138 19 Jul 10 at 2:06p.m.

Apropos my previous blog.

We must also remember that in 'Curtain' Poirot himself kills a murderer so dealing with these issues of justice now is a great precursor to his state of mind in that final story.
Pauly.

pauly1138 19 Jul 10 at 12:02p.m.

I think altering the murderers made it better because Poirot was constantly being thrown in the opposite direction, such as when the 'AISY ARMS' was revealed with the hat box and one character kept saying " . .it doesn't mean anything . ." Even Lumet's version changed the book, in fact it changed the "character" of poirot entirely, making him a clown, throwing his menu over his shoulder at the restaurant was something a gentleman would never do.
This version made the viewer question whether murder is 'ever' justified even if the victim is a child-killer. When we hear on the news about these animals our first human instinct is to want to kill them, but laws have to be obeyed otherwise it ends up like the 'lord of the flies'.
Is it right to let 12 people go free who have conspired in murder when you are a detective who represents truth & justice?
I think this point was overlooked in the Lumet Orient express and i'm pleased that this version concentrates on the rule of law and the agony of Poirot in both having to compromise his sense of justice but also his catholic faith, because after all the bible says " . .only God can judge . ."
I say BRAVO! to the writers of this Poirot episode for giving us the most thought provoking Poirot episode ever.
Pauly.

giannisk21 18 Jul 10 at 11:24p.m.

Well i liked the consentration on Poirot too. And now I am pleased that there are 10 more minutes. By the way does anyone know where we can download the DVD version? Anyway what i didn't like is the changing of the book. Of course i am refering to the alteration in the murderers....

pauly1138 18 Jul 10 at 5:12p.m.

PBS who aired MOTOE cut nearly 10 minutes out of the episode which made it feel disjointed and short, things like the woman in the red kimono are in the DVD version.
I agree this version of ORIENT EXPRESS was a very different POIROT than we are used to seeing but it helped give the story some life instead of it just being about the killing of a man and the usual round of questioning. You have to realize that every man and his dog knows the outcome of this story so i thought it was good that they concentrated on Poirot and his Catholic conscience. It is a very different beast to the 1974 version but in my opinion it better because we get to see Poirot at his most tested and indeed vulnerable.
I have also seen Halloween Party & The Clocks which are both excellent, especially Halloween Party.

giannisk21 15 Jul 10 at 7:05p.m.

Well guys i just saw Murder on The orient Express and i have to say i was rather disappointed. Suchet's performance is ofcourse superb and the casting excelent. Bad news is that the runtime is 80 min so too many things are skiped. Furthermore the greek doctor is also a murderer!! It should be much longer in duration and more detailed and following the book.

AndrewM 15 Jul 10 at 1:08p.m.

Interesting stuff. The remaining three films to be (hopefully) screened this year are indeed very exciting. Guess I'm most excited about Express first, then Halloween and then Clocks. Three Act Tragedy was superb, and indeed the trailor to Express looks amazing. I'm going to wait but it's good to hear glimpses of how good these are... I think it's interesting that the time period is moving on a bit now as well. For continuity it needs to and I'm glad it is.

Now that they're all made and it's just a matter of when they will be shown, we're back to the original question - what we they film next and when will filming begin? Exciting.

pauly1138 08 Jul 10 at 8:36a.m.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS with David Suchet will be available on dvd in America from the end of this month (july).
I certainly think ITV1 will keep it for this Christmas, but i can't wait to see it. Also on the DVD is the documentary DAVID SUCHET ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS.
David has said that it's a different take on the classic film, by that i think he means Poirot will have a crisis of conscience as to whether to let them all off with Ratchet's murder, as we see in the trailer when he talks of holding the rule of law high.
Can't wait . . .

pauly1138 01 Jul 10 at 10:18a.m.

YOUTUBE is now showing HALLOWEEN PARTY and it is in my humble opinion . . . the "perfect" Poirot episode. Macabre, dark and full of murder and intrigue. Shame ITV1 haven't shown it yet.
Pauly.

AndrewM 23 Jun 10 at 9:25a.m.

Thanks Pauly - good to know. I've watched the Orient Express trailor which looks very good. I think I'll wait for Clocks to be shown, but it's VERY interesting to hear the period is finally moving on. Seems to demonstrate they are now preparing Poirot for his final Curtain!

pauly1138 02 Jun 10 at 12:38p.m.

ATTENTION ALL POIROT FANS . .
Go on YOUTUBE & type in 'TICK TOCK POIROT' & there you will find 'THE CLOCKS' in 9 parts. If you can tolerate the subtitles it is a brilliant episode, brilliantly acted, filmed & scripted. I don't know why it hasn't been shown in the U.K. yet but i'll settle for seeing it on my laptop for now. Genuine love story throughout and a lovely moment where a character touches Poirot's arm to thank him at the end.
Seem to be heading into World war II territory now, exceptional episode, oh! to live near Dover.
Love to all
Pauly.

giannisk21 30 May 10 at 6:21p.m.

According to IMDB the release date for Halloween party is the 26th of May and for Murder on the Orient Express on the 9th of June. I hope they stick with these. Any news about the Halloween party? Was it indeed released?

giannisk21 23 May 10 at 10:56p.m.

Amazing trailer!!! Also Hallowe'en Party is coming on the 26th of May!! In three days!!!!

pauly1138 14 May 10 at 3:12p.m.

CALLING ALL POIROT FANS.
Please go on YOUTUBE & type in MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS 2009 and you will find the fantastic trailer for the new adaptation. Looks like they have stuck to the book very well and it shows Poirot's battle with his catholic conscience and where justice should strike it's sword. Awesome. Just need the release date now.
Enjoy
Pauly.

giannisk21 29 Jan 10 at 12:41a.m.

I wish it's as you say. I fully agree that Marple is a complete mess. I only liked the series with Joan Hickson which includes the complete 12 stories and is very close to the book. What i want to see most of all is Suchet playing Curtain! I am sure it will be a magnificent performance! Let's hope it does not stop!

pauly1138 28 Jan 10 at 1:53p.m.

I very much doubt they will stop making Poirot. There are only 6 stories left to go and the most expensive ones (filming abroad) have largely been filmed already.
Only THE BIG FOUR and perhaps some from LABOURS OF HERCULES require foreign locations which should keep the cost down.
BLACK COFFEE is set in one house, DEAD MANS FOLLY is set in one British location, ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER is set in England, and CURTAIN is back at Styles so budget is not as great! I got the impression they filmed ORIENT EXPRESS whilst they had the money and opportunity.
ITV know Poirot is a winner every time and i think it would be a feather in their cap to know they have the entire Poirot canon under their' belt.
Even if ITV cancel Poirot i'm sure the BBC would buy the rights anyway.
If they ARE thinking of cancelling any Christie filming it should be MARPLE !! Can't they see that they have made a right mess of it!? Changing leading actors, steering away from stories, and bastardising Christie's works just to insert Miss Marple in there.
I'm not worried at all . . .

giannisk21 28 Jan 10 at 11:00a.m.

Hi everyone! I'm affraid i have very bad news. They are thinking to stop Poirot due to cutbacks in Itv. Check this out

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/7081969/David-Suchet-pragmatic-over-future-of-ITV-detective-Hercule-Poirot.html

AndrewM 22 Jan 10 at 9:11p.m.

Cool - enjoy All My Sons Pauly.

Agree - it was great to see the humour of Poirot again and I really enjoyed the card reference to The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim.

Glad you enjoyed it!

pauly1138 08 Jan 10 at 11:09a.m.

I totally agree with Andrew. The episode was well directed and much of the dialogue was lifted straight from the novel which i was delighted about. The direction was great, the colours and lighting were exceptional.
I agree also about the comedic side of Poirot returning, especially when the wasp was buzzing around him, i actually laughed out loud at that point, it reminded me of early Poirot episodes such as the one where he has a cold and is inhaling steam with a towel over his head.
There was even a reference to an earlier episode with the triangle of cards that Poirot had made which i thought was a nice touch.
All in all the episode was excellent, as good as any in the canon but also adding little touches like the falling cards and the newspaper were well done.
Can't wait for the next 3 . . .
Also got tickets for ALL MY SONS starring David Suchet this year which i'm looking forward to.
Pauly.

AndrewM 08 Jan 10 at 12:55a.m.

Well we talked about it all year...

So what did everyone think of the first of the new series of Poirots this year - Three Act Tragedy?

I felt it was extremely well produced and rather more coherent than Appointment with Death. It was extremely stylish and lavish and rich in all the faultless art deco we've come to expect. The setting for the first dinner party / murder was a particular visual treat.

I felt it was very well written and performed and the constant reference to the theatre itself worked extremely well. It made for an excellent setting for the summing up and some excellent interplay with the murderer and Poirot himself.

Finally, it also called back some of the humour that has been sadly lacking in some of the more resent ones. It made the best of all Suchet's warmth and comic timing, which made his anger at the end even more dramatic, shocking and indeed sad that he had been so betrayed by one of whom he thought so much.

In short, I think it was truly one of the best in years. I'm also given to understand, according to my partner Louise, that it is largely true to the original novel - something recent adaptations - such as Appointment with Death - have been accused of straying too far from.

...So what were your views...?

Tommy_A_Jones 02 Jan 10 at 1:44p.m.

dublinclaire it was in the |'Marple Series, Anthony Andrews and Greta Scatchi played Tommy and Tuppence and Geraldine McKewan was Miss Marple who was 'Parachuted into the Book, although it was a bad idea IMHO it was the best Non-Marple in 'Masrple' that Geraldine McKewan was involved with and probably better than Murder is Easy.

dublinclaire 20 Dec 09 at 9:04p.m.

I've never seen 'By the Pricking of my thumbs', I can't imagine it at all. It's quite an eerie and dark story; I love it tho'.

JILLEVELYN 17 Dec 09 at 10:16p.m.

As much as we all love David Suchet we are running out of Poirot books so when all these have been adapted, I would love to see other adaptations of her books. I loved 'Crooked House' and I would also like to see adaptations of Mr Quinn. Why have some of these good books been forgotten.
I would also love to see a correct adaptation in the future of 'By the pricking of my thumbs' but please someone read the book first.

pauly1138 15 Dec 09 at 3:08p.m.

THREE ACT TRAGEDY showing on ITV1 on January 3rd at 8pm. David Suchet says it's the best Poirot yet which is exciting!!! I hope THE CLOCKS & HALLOWEEN PARTY follow soon. I think ORIENT EXPRESS will be shown next Christmas.
Pauly.

spypsy 14 Dec 09 at 1:00a.m.

Hastings really HAS to come back:(

pauly1138 10 Dec 09 at 1:58p.m.

Just reading the 2 page Poirot spread in this year's Christmas radio Times and David Suchet talks about filming BLACK COFFEE & THE LABOURS OF HERCULES. At last some concrete facts about whether these 2 great stories are going to be made.
Poirot's yet to be filmed . . .

1) THE BIG FOUR
2) ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER
3) DEAD MANS FOLLY
4) BLACK COFFEE
5) THE LABOURS OF HERCULES
6) CURTAIN

They could go to town with 'LABOURS' as all the stories are varied in nature and location. It would make a great series by itself, perhaps each story lasting half an hour or so, with Poirot accepting Dr. Burton's challenge to take on 12 cases before retiring, 12 modern day Labours of hercules. In fact, because LABOURS are Hercule's last cases they should release the next 6 in pretty much the order i have listed them.
Can't wait till they are all done.
God bless all you Poirot fans.
Pauly.

tholthorpe 26 Nov 09 at 1:51p.m.

Hi Again , after finishing the snow railway scenes on the Nene Valley Railway last week. The carriages sent to Pinewood Studios for further filming have now returned to the railway.

giannisk21 23 Nov 09 at 4:41p.m.

Yeah i noticed that! It was really cool!! But since they started filmin the Orient Express are the ather episodes finished?? Any tips about when we will have them?

tholthorpe 23 Nov 09 at 3:29p.m.

Hi Everybody , just to let you know that they have been filming the railway snow scenes for 'Murder on the Orient Express ' at the Nene Valley Railway(Peterborough)last week.
The fake snow looked very good !

giannisk21 18 Nov 09 at 1:51a.m.

Hello everyone! I am new here! I am a huge fan of the series. Searching the internet I found this: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iaNjUrpZwokoHeYP_hocRvm5soBg

It sais Nurder on the Orient Express just started shooting this week!! Mayby this means that the other three episodes are finished and therefore are about to come out!!!

I would also love to see Hugh Frazer again at "The Big Four" and "Curtain". However, I think Curtain should be the last one to come out, after every other Poirot story is filmed!!!

pauly1138 15 Nov 09 at 4:07p.m.

Look up David Suchet on IMDB and you'll find a list of Poirot episodes, and Halloween party is up there, confirming stars such as Timothy West etc and Mark Gatiss doing the screenplay.
Just about to search the internet for any titbits on Orient Express. I hope some episodes air this year as i can't wait much longer.
Pauly.

wolfbridge 07 Nov 09 at 10:38p.m.

someone said november for Orient Express. But i do not know about that.
expect Hallowe'en Party to air on 31.10.2010 on ITV1 - it's Halloween and a Sunday.

AndrewM 06 Nov 09 at 12:56p.m.

Great news indeed Pauly. Where did you find this out?

Wonder when they will begin showing these?

I'm presuming then that Orient Express is the final instalment they are fliming this year/early next...

A.

pauly1138 29 Oct 09 at 2:10p.m.

FANTASTIC NEWS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark Gatiss has indeed adapted HALLOWEEN PARTY and it's being filmed in Oxford as we speak! Timothy West stars in it too, and is great in anything he appears in!
I am delighted that Mark has been chosen to adapt the story as his macabre take on things will certainly do justice to the dark horror of the drowning of 2 children. Now i am REALLY excited about seeing the new season. Roll on 2010.
Pauly.

unicornandthewasp 30 Sep 09 at 5:08p.m.

I would love ITV to serialise 'The 13 Problems'/'The Tuesday Night Club'. It would be a great to watch these as series of programmes?

lourenco 15 Sep 09 at 4:54p.m.

In "Murder on The Orient Express"'s wikipedia page, it says that Joely Richardson is joining the cast, is it true or just especulation?

pauly1138 25 Aug 09 at 2:06p.m.

I'm not sure how you find out what is showing in the U.S. to be honest. In Britain we find out by going on web sites such as this one, or going onto DAVID SUCHET'S bio page which tells you what is filming at the moment.
To be honest the episodes that have filmed this year so far have been discovered by trawling through various media and happening upon certain titbits. I usually type in POIROT FILMING 2009 and see what i can find. I discovered that THREE ACT TRAGEDY & THE CLOCKS were being filmed this way.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS has been slated to be filmed this year for some time now and rumours are that HALLOWEEN PARTY is being filmed around October time this year too.
If you want any new episodes get the DVDS from AMAZON.CO.UK which will give you all the episodes filmed to date, including THE THIRD GIRL & APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH which were shown last year in the U.K.
Pauly.

Chumley 24 Aug 09 at 9:36p.m.

I joined this impressive blog site because I wanted to know several things about our family's favorite program on television of all time, Poirot. I cannot seem to find out when the next 2009 Poirot episodes will be aired in the U.S. Am I just naive to think that information is available somewhere? I understand the new 2009 episodes have all aired in Great Britain. But here in the U.S., we've only been treated to Mrs. McGinty's Dead and Cat Among the Pigeons. Sorry to be so dim, but we're all wondering how you find these things out. Thanks for your input.

Chumley

eweagle 08 Aug 09 at 4:44p.m.

Hello. This is great. The whole series on DVD. Indeed, Hercule Poirot is among the greats. In some ways, Curtain would be a downer. But even Poirot died, sad though.
Eric

AndrewM 21 Jul 09 at 10:27a.m.

It would certainly be great if that's the case.

pauly1138 16 Jul 09 at 12:28p.m.

David Suchet has said that after the 4 this year there will be 6 to do and then that's it so i think THE LABOURS OF HERCULES & BLACK COFFEE will be filmed. It wouldn't be a COMPLETE works if they weren't!
I think they will film 5 next year and leave CURTAIN till the year after! It's exciting but also sad that we are near the end!
Pauly.

AndrewM 14 Jul 09 at 11:28a.m.

Exciting isn't it! For some reason I did not think Three Act Tragedy would come up this year.

So if the other one is Halloween Party then that most likely means next year will be:

Dead Man's Folly
The Big Four
Elephants Can Remember
Curtain

That is if they are just doing the eight remaining novels, which I'm fairly sure is the case. Might be more of course if they plan to do Black Coffee and Labours but somehow I doubt that.

pauly1138 11 Jul 09 at 5:47p.m.

If the third episode is indeed HALLOWEEN PARTY then i really hope they hire 'Mark Gatiss' to write the screenplay as i think the drowning of 2 children would really appeal to his dark style of writing. I can just imagine the scene as the child is found drowned in the apple dunking bowl. Mark has an excellent macabre take on things, and i loved his CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS, especially the use of the javelin as the murder weapon.
Although i'm looking forward greatly to seeing ORIENT EXPRESS i can't help thinking that even if they create a superior version to the 1974 one that it will always and undesrvingly be second best to the original. I thought Suchet's DEATH ON THE NILE was a superior version to the USTINOV film but it lacked something the original had which i can't put my finger on. Perhaps it's because we've seen the original so many times that it's burned into our conscience somehow.
As long as they stick to the story of ORIENT EXPRESS, don't add or extract anything the fans should be happy.
Can't wait for all 4.
Pauly.

wolfbridge 10 Jul 09 at 4:14p.m.

it will be Halloween Party.
They will do that in Autumn, as they need the outsides to be right. You cannot film that in Summer with shots on location in the greens.

sadly noone asks US about Murder on the Orient Express. yes, a high profile script writer/author is breeding on it.

i can see changes coming and i really do not want any. i want all the people that are in the book to be on train, people will be really upsed if they give that TV Adaption the Appointment with Death-Makeover.

basicly just film the book, word by word, page by page. it wont be boring, and anyone already knows what will happen in the end. make 140 minutes if neccessary.

the 1974 version is about as perfect as it gets, just reshoot the script if you want. BUT PLEEEASE no fiddling around with it!

pauly1138 10 Jul 09 at 9:12a.m.

More good news. THREE ACT TRAGEDY is now being filmed, so we know 3 of the 4 planned.

1) THE CLOCKS

2) THREE ACT TRAGEDY

3) ?

4) MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

I hope they film at least one which stars Ariadne such as Halloween Party or Dead mans Folly.
Pauly.

pauly1138 09 Jun 09 at 12:26p.m.

About time some news came out. I'm looking forward to 'THE CLOCKS' if only to see how they turn it into a screen version as the book is rather back to front in many ways.
I wish they would just give us a list of the 4 new ones.
So we know it's THE CLOCKS & ORIENT EXPRESS, let's hope DEAD MAN'S FOLLY & HALLOWEEN PARTY are the other 2!
Please Phil give us some concrete facts.
Pauly.

AndrewM 08 Jun 09 at 10:54p.m.

Here's some of the news you've all been waiting for.

It would appear Clocks is the first of the four films to be made this year:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/5408883/Hercule-Poirot-to-return-to-TV.html

And according to this - Murder on the Orient Express will be one of the others:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/may/19/david-suchet-poirot-agatha-christie

wolfbridge 27 May 09 at 8:23p.m.

Phil, any news? when does filming for Poirot start?

pauly1138 16 Apr 09 at 8:24a.m.

Please Phil tell us when the new series of POIROT is being filmed & which stories.
I thought they were starting in March but have heard nothing, and Mr. Suchet was on breakfast television recently and only said they were filming 4 this year!
All of us Poirot fans are desperate to see them and would love to hear what is coming up next.
Yours desperately.
Pauly.

stephvr 05 Apr 09 at 6:42p.m.

Oh I really hope that the list some of you mentioned is about right and Orient Express and (two of my absolute favourites) Dead Man's Folly and Hallowe'en Party are being made as we speak!

I'd much rather see a new 'And then there were none' rather than Elephants can remember because I think it would make a better film, although of course ideally I'd love to see them both! And of course the film version of 'five little pigs' worked really well even though it was adapted from a 'murder in retrospect' story too.

Either way I do hope they'll go easy on the stories and not twist them around too much - though the newer Marple films tend to be more guilty of that (Bertram's Hotel, Body in the Library, etc - and especially that awful version of Nemesis)... Fingers crossed there'll be plenty more Poirot on our screens soon!

Having written all this I just remembered poirot isn't in 'and then there were none' and he might be hard to write in... nor is he in 'the pale horse' (another great favourite) but he might be included more easily in that one?

hellofansofachi 29 Mar 09 at 7:04a.m.

Agatha Christie's Hallowe'en Party and maybe a remake of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None? I hope there aren't too much scenes to be deleted or changed.

TonyCornwall 02 Mar 09 at 4:17p.m.

Phil has to be referring to Dead Man's Folly surely for the book-balancing "cheaper" Poirot. Greenway has just opened so it could even be set in the intended location for Nasse House if the NT agree.

RobinHerne 30 Jan 09 at 5:01p.m.

Hello. I would love to see John Barrowman playing the matinee idol Sir Charles Cartwright in "Three Act Tragedy" ~ I think he would be perfect for the part. Oh to be able to write that script myself!

"Elephant Can Remember" could almost be done along the same lines as that 'Cold Case' TV series, given that it is indeed investigating an old crime. I can imagine this one needing a fair bit of change to make it more visual ~ though the book does contain a hint that one of its characters might actually be contemplating a murder, which could be built on for TV. Hopefully it wont be changed as heavily as "Appointment with Death" was ~ some of those changes really seemed quite peculiar, and didn't really add anything to the plot about the monstrous Mrs Boynton.

"Labours of Hercules" could probably be turned into an entire series in its own right, maybe as a series of 12 one-hour episodes?

I agree with getting Mark Gatiss back to write more scripts. He really has a feel for the period (and I liked his latest book, 'Black Butterfly' ~ very funny!)

Robin

wolfbridge 29 Jan 09 at 11:57p.m.

Elephants Can Remember is Agatha Christie's next to last work of detection and the author shows clearly signs of age, which is understandable since she was eighty-two years old and in failing health.

Elephants Can Remember is a "murder in retrospect" mystery. Although Christie has proven to fully master this format -see Sparkling Cyanide and Five Little Pigs- she now quickly looses touch with the story. She is forced to sow the narrative together with vague memories of a series of old spinsters and suddenly even events that should easily be remembered are covered by the veil of forgetfulness. No surprise that the plot is total confusion. It is less a mystery than a scrapbook of memories. Action is less important than atmosphere, which makes the story quite tedious and difficult to hang on to. Nevertheless, the experienced reader will figure out the solution to this not too mysterious mystery halfway through the book. /Taken from a reader review on amazon

AndrewM 27 Jan 09 at 4:17p.m.

Regarding the helpful list of unmade Poirot's above provided by Pauly - my understanding is that the Submarine Plans was expanded by Christie as this Incredible Theft - so in a sense this one has already been done. See here: http://www.agathachristie.com/story-explorer/stories/the-incredible-theft/

My understanding was that the Production Team were now just focusing on the remaining novels in order to complete the set. It's certainly great to get the main update from Phil Clymer himself on this blog.

Incidentally, having not read 'Elephants can Remember' can I ask what it is about this novel that makes it a dead cert to need rewriting as intimated a couple of times above?

wolfbridge 13 Jan 09 at 11:33p.m.

if only we had a LIST of those movies they would like to produce. Mr. Clymer, could you clarify which 10 Movies there are to be made?

And surely when filming starts in March 2009, you must have a list of the next 4 ones :)

Surely the list will look like:

Murder on the Orient Express
Dead Mans Folly
Elephants can remember
Halloween Party

i think there are many Fans out there who can help with making a draft script for Folly, Elephants and Halloween with a overview what has to be in it and what can be changed.

Please get Mark Gatiss back to write the Script for Halloween Party, he will be the right choice for that one.
Philomena McDonagh did a excellent Job on "Funeral" so please get her to write Dead Mans Folly.
Elephants can remember would be an excellent Job for Guy Andrews or Nick Dear.

Wonder who will write the Script for MOTOE? Anyway, you could take the same one as the 1974.

pauly1138 12 Jan 09 at 11:39a.m.

If you look at my list of yet to be filmed Poirot's you will see that excluding the 3 short stories, LEMESURIER, MARKET BASING, SUBMARINE PLANS, there are only 5 more to film after the 4 this year so are they going to make BLACK COFFEE or put the 3 short stories into 1 film?
David Suchet says that there will be 6 to film after this year's 4.
Strange.
Pauly.

wolfbridge 08 Jan 09 at 2:57p.m.

David Suchet confirmed filming starts in MARCH !!! Yay!

avid Suchet has revealed he is desperate to see his character Hercule Poirot through to his conclusion.

Speaking as he was given freedom of the City of London, David spoke about reviving the role in March.

"We are filming four episodes this year, which will leave six more to do and that will be the complete works. He doesn't exist after that," he said.

"I feel two emotions, great sadness to leave him, and 700 million people watch it throughout the world, but also terrific joy if I am given the opportunity to do the complete works.

"It really depends if the money is there because they might not have the funding."

He also spoke about the Kevin Spacey-directed play Complicit, which opens tonight (Wednesday) at the Old Vic.

"Fingers crossed, it's a new play about the freedom of the press, and it is very exciting. Kevin is just brilliant, partly because he is an actor himself and he knows how actors work," he said.

Jakester 06 Jan 09 at 5:32p.m.

Isn't Christiefreaklol like a genius!!!!!

ChristieFreaklol 06 Jan 09 at 5:31p.m.

Idk bout ya'll but i gotz to say i love christie with my entire being. shes mah boo!

geoffas 02 Jan 09 at 11:24a.m.

My own feeling is that we will only get the remaining original novels. Which would break down into two series of 4. I'd be pleased if the whole canon is filmed but given the current financial situation I'd be satisfied with the remaining eight novels. If the producers intended to produce any of the remaining short stories I think they would have done so by now. I hope they bring Miss Lemon back for at least one episode. If the producers continue to set the stories around 1935, they could set Curtain 10 years later, just after the war which would fit Dame Agatha's vague time setting of the book and explain Poirot’s seemingly physical decline.

earthmist 01 Jan 09 at 11:09a.m.

I absolutely agree that Hugh Fraser must come back as Captain Hastings for Curtain, he is essential as is indeed David Suchet as Poirot. This film should be made and kept until the end of the series. I would really like to see 'And Then There Were None' remade- properly - I have seen both versions previously filmed and must say I was so very very disappointed as both films made were not true to the book - why oh why were these changes made? All Miss Christie films should be kept exactly as written.

inspectorg 19 Dec 08 at 6:57a.m.

Mr Clymer, When Julia McKenzie takes over as Miss Marple will that Fantastic theme music remain the same.

Ms_Kylie_Menage 12 Dec 08 at 1:25p.m.

Please let Kevin Elyot do Orient Express - so long as he doesn't make anyone gay! And speaking as a drag queen, I'm not homophobic...

Ms_Kylie_Menage 12 Dec 08 at 12:46p.m.

Oh if Greenway's renovations are complete, they need to film Dead Man's Folly there!

And please, please PLEASE stop Stephen Churchett EVER be allowed to adapt one of Dame Agatha's books again! I absolutely love Murder Is Easy and I've just read a review of the film. I'm bitterly disappointed, saddened, angered and annoyed. Who allows this and why? He obviously thinks he can better what she wrote. The utter arrogance - she isn't the best selling author in the world for nothing!

mr_pont 05 Dec 08 at 2:56p.m.

I agree with Inspector_Kelly about the need to bring Hugh Fraser back as Captain Hastings. If the producers are serious about filming the whole canon, they must of course dramatise 'Curtain'. And Hastings has an essential role in that; it can't really be done without him. Wait too long and Hugh Fraser may be unavailable due to other commitments or whatever. If someone else takes the role for 'Curtain' it will create a jarring dissymmetry for all the old-time fans of the series. So the solution is to make 'The Big Four' which also features Hastings as one of the four next films, also producing 'Curtain' just in case. Naturally 'Curtain' would only be shown to end the series when the remaining titles have been broadcast. Keeping 'Curtain' in store is exactly what Agatha herself did to ensure a worthy farewell for her detective.
Now if this logic is followed, it leads to certain conclusions for the other two films in the next series. 'The Big Four' will be the major episode as it will reunite Poirot with Hastings and Japp (who also features in the novel). 'Curtain' will be the cheap, single-location episode. Go for two of the less popular novels for the other dramatisations, such as 'Elephants Can Remember' and 'Hallowe'en Party'.

johnniey 03 Dec 08 at 9:29p.m.

Of all the Christie films there is something just wonderful about Murder on the Orient Express. Snowed in on a luxury train - what could be more irrestible than that?

pauly1138 29 Nov 08 at 8:49p.m.

Poirot's yet to be filmed . . .

1) MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
2) DEAD MANS FOLLY
3) ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER
4) THE CLOCKS
5) HALLOWEEN PARTY
6) THE LABOURS OF HERCULES
7) THE BIG FOUR
8) THREE ACT TRAGEDY
9) THE LEMESURIER INHERITANCE
10)THE SUBMARINE PLANS
11)THE MARKET BASING MYSTERY
12)CURTAIN
13) BLACK COFFEE (play)

Perhaps they will put 'THE LEMESURIER INHERITENCE, THE SUBMARINE PLANS & THE MARKET BASING MYSTERY in with THE LABOURS OF HERCULES as they are short stories and really MUST be filmed if they are serious about filming ALL of Poirot's canon.
Ariadne appears in 'HALLOWEEN PARTY', 'DEAD MANS FOLLY',& 'ELEPHANTS CAN REMEMBER', if they film these three and 'ORIENT EXPRESS' in the next season then that will take care of that character.
Hastings appears in 'THE BIG FOUR' and should be filmed close to filming 'CURTAIN' to re-introduce him back into the consciousness of the public. That will be an interesting one to watch as it involves Poirot climbing down ivy and shaving off his famous moustache.
I really hope they concentrate on getting the canon filmed soon and then perhaps David could do a short London Theatre run of 'BLACK COFFEE' to give the fans a chance to pay their' respects to a great actor and a fantastic creation.
Here is hoping . . .
Pauly.

littlegrey76 28 Nov 08 at 11:23a.m.

Dear Mr Clymer, thank for your efforts to gift us a new definitive version with Mr Suchet, of the Orient
Express, i would like to know, if this new adaptation will have an all star team of actors, why don't take Orient Express at the cinema? in these time 2 h and half movie are accepted from the public.

i will love to see this picture at the cinema! Orient + Suchet and an all star group of actors! amazing! please think about!

thanks a lot to try to complete the canon!!!

detectivepauljohn 25 Nov 08 at 11:12a.m.

I hope "Hallowe'en Party" starring Poirot will be filmed. What about "The Hollow" or "The Clocks"? I hope they will film again my one of my fave book "And Then There Were None". What about "The Mysterious Mr. Quin", too?

Filming and making a book be a movie is a good thing but what is bad is they change too many things. I hope they'll change but not too many changes.

Inspector_Kelly 19 Nov 08 at 2:21p.m.

Why not put Hastings back in and film "The Big Four". It would make sense as Hastings has come back from a long trip in Argentina!
And another thing we have to end these Poirot's soon unfortunately. Why not if you bring Hastings in, film Curtain: Poirot's last case. Or what about Three Act Tragerdy?

wolfbridge 15 Nov 08 at 12:53p.m.

wouldnt it be a safe bet to make these?

Murder on the Orient Express will be the "Big One" in Series 12. Dead Mans Folly will be the 2nd Biggest of the New Movies, it´s with Ariadne Oliver, and like Murder on the Orient Express, it has already been Filmed and will prove to make some People interesting in it.

For the "little" new Movies, Elephants can remember will be the one that has to be nearly completely rewritten. It is again a Story with Ariadne Oliver, and Superintendent Spence.

Hallowe'en Party will close that Season, again with Ariadne Oliver and Superintendent Spence.