Poirot - Murder in Mesopotamia (2001)

Murder in Mesopotamia

As ususal, David Suchet and cast are terrific. The locations are sensational as well and the viewer feels drawn into the story from the beginning. Great DVD. December 16, 2007

Another Terrific Agatha Christie Mystery on DVD

I have enjoyed the Agatha Christie novels on DVD - they restore television to its primary mission: entertainment. And this twisting plot is no exception!

In the land of Irag, filled with sun and the science of archeology, the expedition runs into trouble when murder rears its head. Fortunately, the indomitable Poirot is on the scene! He unravels the deep complexities of the murder(s), entangling alliances, and takes an axe to the root of bitterness and jealousy.

All in all, the story is thoroughly entertaining and the mystery unfolds in a marvelous way. Like following breadcrumbs to an expected end, the director leads us inexorably, but logically, to the conclusion.

So, put a fire on, micro the popcorn, sit back and relax and enjoy pure entertainment.... again! December 14, 2004

Did the Super Sleuth's Sidekick's Nephew Commit a Murder??

+++++

I watched this movie without reading the 1936 Dame Agatha Christie novel that it was based on. I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch the movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.

The main murder takes place at an archaeological excavation site in Mesopotamia (a part of Iraq) where Hercule Poirot's (David Suchet) friend and trusty sidekick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) is helping. Poirot who is on vacation visits this site when the murder is committed. This is a difficult case because the murder takes place in a locked room that no one could have entered. Besides Hastings, Poirot has the help of Police Superintendent Maitland (Iain Mitchell). Eventually, another murder and a suicide occur. At this point, Poirot "hopes [this investigation] holds no more surprises."

Who are the people at this site? They are as follows:

1. Head archaeologist Erik Leidner (Ron Berglas)
2. Louise Leidner, Erik's wife (Barbara Barnes)
3. Archaeologist Annie Johnson (Dinah Stubb)
4. Archaeologist Joe Mercada (Alexi Campbell)
5. Marie Mercada, Joe's wife (Debbie Poplett)
6. Archaeologist Richard Carey (Chris Bonner)
7. Nurse Amy Letherson (Georgina Sowerby)
8. Father Lavigny (Chris Hunter)
9. Bill Coleman, Hastings' nephew (Jeremy Welch)
10. Sheila Maitland, the superintendent's daughter (Pandora Clifford)

As usual, Suchet's performance stands out. He gives a stellar performance portraying Poirot. Barbara Barnes as the head archaeologist's wife also does a good job in her role.

This movie was intriguing to me because the main murder was so complicated and ingenious. As well, the motive for this murder was interesting.

The cinematography is visually stunning. All costumes are authentic looking. As well, the background music adds to each scene.

The DVD has the usual text extras. Newcomers to the series might find these
interesting.

Finally, the only problem I had with this movie was with the final deduction scene. Poirot admits earlier in the movie that the person who committed suicide had a motive for the main murder. However, in the final deduction scene, this suicide was not even mentioned! I felt this was a major oversight.

In conclusion, this is a fun movie even if you have read the novel it's based on!!

(2001; made for TV; full screen; 100 min; 11 scenes; British drama; color)

+++++
September 20, 2004

Whodunnit? The Writers, That's Who

Although they take some liberties with Poirot and his eternal sidekick Capt. Hastings, both David Suchet and Hugh Fraiser do justice to the characters. But purists have a point when they complain about unnecessary fiddling with Agatha Christie's plots. It's hard to improve on perfection, and this BBC adaptation of MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA, one of Christie's most fiendishly cunning constructions, proves the point.

Capt. Hastings does not appear in the Christie novel, which presents us with the tale of a seemingly impossible murder at an archeological dig in Iraq. In order to accommodate his presence, one character has been eliminated and another has been significantly reduced. With careful scripting, direction, and acting, the change might have been pulled off--but sad to say, no such thing occurs.

The script is unexpectedly weak, and to add insult to injury the writers have also "tweaked" the plot in a failed effort to cover the problems they have created by fiddling with the story in the first place. The direction lacks focus, and most of the actors seem miscast and extremely unhappy about it. When all is said and done, MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA is little short of a mess.

Even so, Suchet and Fraiser manage enough charm to carry the project; they are always entertaining to watch, and I give the film three stars largely on that basis. But if you've already read the book, you'll be disappointed--and if you haven't read the book, you should, and immediately.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer January 5, 2004

Mesopotamia Murdered

Long before that criminal madman George W. Bush, there was a second American invasion of Iraq: not by jingoistic soldiers seeking non-existent weapons of mass destruction, but archaeologists who care far too much for the past of a country where human civilisation arose to let the museums be ransacked. That archaeological expedition was the subject of Agatha Christie's MURDER IN MESOPOTAMIA (1936), a detective story that, although presenting several interesting characters, a splendidly drawn archaeological dig, and a tense atmosphere, suffered from a solution matched in sheer improbability only by John Dickson Carr's IT WALKS BY NIGHT (1930).

The latest Suchet adaptation, however, is barely faithful to the book. Instead of two murders ingeniously committed and equally ingeniously solved, the viewer is presented with a series of ridiculous sub-plots: to wit, Poirot's infatuation with the Countess Rossakoff (cheap love interest to satisfy the Mills & Boon / Harlequin public); and a completely irrelevant murder not found in the original book. Instead of a problem rationally set out for the reader to solve, there is precious little detection, but a great deal of fluff: simpering performances, hysterical fits, and a plethora of cliches. This sort of thing is embarrassing; and certainly not up to the level of the L.W.T. productions. July 4, 2003

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