Miss Marple, Set 2 (1986)

While others have done well, Joan Hickson is the defining Miss Marple...and Nemesis is one first-rate mystery story

Says Professor Wanstead to Miss Jane Marple (Joan Hickson) after the murderer has been discovered, "So Mr. Rafiel's faith in his son is justified after all." "Oh, no, Professor," Miss Marple replies, "it wasn't like that at all. Mr. Rafiel wanted justice for the dead girl, even if it meant the sacrifice of his son." "Do you think he considered that," the Professor asks. "Oh, yes," Miss Marple says. "He knew I wouldn't flinch, even if it meant sending Michael to the gallows. He called me 'Nemesis,' you know, and he wasn't being entirely humorous."

Nor should any murderer underestimate this slightly frail, inquisitive and observant old woman, long a resident of the English village of St. Mary Mead, who is given to wearing tweeds and sensible shoes, often knitting and frequently gardening. Miss Marple has a mind as logical as a trap. As she says, "It's very dangerous to believe people. I haven't for years." When murder has been done, those aged eyes see things, especially in the behavior and habits of those around her, which lead to retribution. As played by Joan Hickson, Miss Marple is invariably courteous and very much of the old school when it comes to manners. She may occasionally offer advice, but is remarkably realistic. "Good advice is almost certain to be ignored," she says, "but that's no reason for not giving it." She may take part in a bit of gossip, but almost always she is giving a bit of information in order to get even more back. Hickson's Miss Marple is not without empathy or friends, but she essentially is a person quite satisfied to do her gardening. She does not twinkle. And nowhere are Miss Marple's defining qualities of logic, persistence and seriousness of purpose better displayed than in Nemesis (1987), one of the five made-for-television movies in Agatha Christie's Miss Marple - Set Two.

Mr. Rafiel, a wealthy man who knew Jane Marple years before, has died. She was notified at his death that he had a request...would she take a tour-bus excursion, visit the places on the tour and see if anything seems...well, curious? He describes no crime, he gives no clues. Perhaps there was no crime; he leaves it up to Miss Marple. And Jane Marple decides to honor his wish. She is surprised to learn a number of others also have signed for the tour because of Mr. Rafiel's request; some received money to encourage them. Gradually, Miss Marple learns the story of a young girl who disappeared, another young girl who was killed, of Rafiel's son who loved one of them and then vanished, of three sisters living in a decaying mansion...and of an overwhelming atmosphere of love, sadness and regret. Miss Marple, in her quiet and relentless way, learns the truth and then sees to it that justice, after all the years, is done while she gazes steadily at the murderer.

Nemesis is no British cozy.

The other four stories in this set may not quite reach the emotional depth of Nemesis, but they all are fine mysteries. They share complex and twisting plots, excellent acting, and a general seriousness of intention. Above all, they share the incomparable and defining performance of Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Bear in mind that Hickson was already 78 when she starred in the earliest mystery of this set, The Moving Finger, and 85 in the set's latest, They Do it With Mirrors. Hickson filmed all 12 of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books; her 12th and last Marple, at age 86, was The Mirror Crack'd (1992). She died after a long career in British theater and movies at age 92 in 1998.

Finishing out Set Two are: The Moving Finger (1985), when vicious poison pen letters disrupt lives and lead to murder; Murder at the Vicarage (1986), when faith and patience are sorely tested, and a murderous plot catches Miss Marple's interest; At Bertram's Hotel (1987), when Miss Marple discovers what never seems to change has, and not for the better; and They Do It With Mirrors (1991), when ambition and certitude overcome even love. Among the many fine actors taking part in these films, keep an eye out for Joan Greenwood, Jean Simmons, Joss Ackland, Margaret Tysack, Michael Culver, Caroline Blakiston, Paul Eddington, George Baker and Cheryl Campbell.

These Miss Marple films run about 1' 40" each. They are not only fine and satisfying mysteries, in a morbid way they are also great fun. Extras include biographies of Agatha Christie and Joan Hickson, plus an index of all of the Miss Marple stories. The quality of the DVD color transfers is that of decent VHS tapes. A couple look just a little faded, but nothing that gets in the way of enjoyment. August 1, 2007

Miss Marple wins again

My mother and I have been watching Agatha Christie mysteries for a long time. This Miss Marple set was one of the best Mother's Day gifts I have given her. We both cuddle up and watch some great movies and never guessing whodunit. I recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery. June 12, 2007

Miss Marple at her best

For the Miss Marple fan this is a marvelous collection on DVD. I especially liked it that there were two episodes on a DVD so you didn't have to get up and change the DVD. Also included were some facts on the actors. September 26, 2005

Solving a Mystery that has No Clues!!

+++++

(Note: this review is exclusively for the Miss Marple mystery "Nemesis" on VHS)

I watched this movie without reading the 1971 Dame Agatha Christie novel that it was based on. (Christie wrote twelve full-length Miss Marple murder mysteries.) I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch this movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.

The movie begins with millionaire Jason Rafiel (Frank Gatliff) dying of natural causes. Soon after his death, Miss Marple (the late Joan Hickson) receives a letter written by the now dead Rafiel (who was her friend) asking her to do some investigation. Miss Marple questions and comments after reading this letter:

"What kind of crime, if it was a crime, was it? When [was it] committed - where - anything? I'm most bewildered. It's like being asked to do a crossword puzzle without any clues!"

Miss Marple eventually, with the aid of her godson Lionel (Peter Tilbury) begins slowly collecting information, the most interesting being the mysterious death of two young girls named Verity Hunt and Nora Brent. However, Miss Marple is not sure of herself in her investigation and admits the following:

"Mr. Rafiel is a ghostly puppet master...laughing at [me] from beyond the grave."

Eventually a murder and suicide occur.

Who are the people associated with this intriguing mystery? They are as follows:

(1) Michael Rafiel, Jason's son (Bruce Payne)
(2) Mr. Broadribb, Jason's lawyer (Roger Hammond)
(3) Mr. Shuster, another of Jason's lawyers (Pat Godfrey)
(4) Miss Temple, retired school head mistress (Helen Cherry)
(5) Professor (of criminal psychology) Waustead (John Horsley)
(6) Miss Cooke, bodyguard (Jane Booker)
(7) Miss Barrow, bodyguard (Alison Skilbeck)
(8) Clothilde Bradbury-Scott, the past guardian of Verity Hunt (Margaret Tyzack)
(9) Anthea, Clothilde's sister and another guardian of Verity (Anna Chopper)
(10) Lavina, a married sister of Clothilde (Valerie Lush)
(11) Mrs. Brent, mother of Nora (Liz Fraser)
(12) Archdeacon Brabazon (Peter Copley)

Joan Hickson (whom Agatha Christie herself wanted to play Miss Marple) captures the essence of the heroine super sleuth in her performance. (Hickson was 81 years old in this movie!). Other fine performances to look for are Bruce Payne as Rafiel's son and Margaret Tyzack as Clothilde.

The character Jason Rafiel also appears in the Miss Marple murder mystery "A Caribbean Mystery" (1965).

Finally, the cinematography of this movie is well done. All costumes and props are authentic looking. The background music adds to each scene.

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

(1987; 100 min; made for TV; British drama; full screen; color)

+++++
January 2, 2005

Of Murder, Justice, Love and the Darkness of the Human Soul.

NOTE: Review of NEMESIS ONLY! ERRONEOUSLY CROSS-POSTED to DVD Set!

"Thousands of years ago, she had a measuring rod, a sword, and a whip - it's called a scourge," explains self-made millionaire Jason Rafiel (Frank Gatliff) to his nurse ... and "she rode about in a chariot driven by griffins." He is talking about Nemesis, the ancient Greek goddess of justice and vengeance, merciless punisher of human transgressions against the natural order, whose epithet was Adrasteia - she whom none can escape. "Last time I saw her," Rafiel then adds, laughing with some difficulty, "she was wearing a pink wool shawl ..."

For the old gentleman, virtually a step away from his own death at this point, is also speaking about Miss Jane Marple, elderly spinster from St. Mary Mead, whom he had met six years earlier on a Caribbean Island (see "A Caribbean Mystery," 1965), where together they had unmasked a cold-blooded killer. And although gruff old Jason had initially had only contempt for the lady, apparently so completely out of her element with her knitting needles and tweeds, which she wouldn't even relinquish under tropical blue skies and palm trees, he had soon changed his mind, realizing the powers of her razor-sharp logic and profound understanding of human nature. Thus, as he now sets about settling his own life's final score, there is no question in his mind who to turn to for help - none other than Jane Marple will do. "I imagine you knitting headscarves and that sort of thing," reads the commission she receives through his London solicitors (Roger Hammond and Patrick Godfrey) shortly after his death. "If that's what you prefer to go on doing, that's your decision. But if you prefer to serve the cause of justice, I hope you find it interesting." And he quotes the bible: "Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream." (Amos 5:24).

So Miss Marple soon finds herself on an unexpected Historic Homes and Gardens coach tour; accompanied by her nephew Lionel (Peter Tilbury), who is seeking refuge with dear Aunt Jane after having been locked out by his wife. Also among the tour party are a Miss Elizabeth Temple (Helen Cherry), the recently-retired headmistress of a renowned private school, a Professor Wanstead (John Horsley), who turns out to be a specialist in criminal psychology, associated with the Home Office, and two younger women named Cooke and Barrow (Jane Booker and Alison Skilbeck), who seem to be keeping a close eye on Miss Marple, but whose intentions are anything but clear.

The spinsterly sleuth's charge is momentous indeed, and it involves Mr. Rafiel's own estranged son Michael (Bruce Payne), once suspected of having murdered his young fiancee Verity Hunt. While the old millionaire doesn't expressly say so, it quickly becomes clear that Miss Marple is to find Verity's killer - even if that ultimately means charging Michael Rafiel. For old Jason has spoken of justice for a reason and, as Miss Marple later explains, "he wasn't being entirely humourous" when dubbing her "Nemesis." Indeed, he is relying not only on her "flair for evil" but, as importantly, on the fact that she will not "flinch" should she find out that Michael is guilty. But while things remain unclear to Miss Marple much longer than to Miss Temple, Verity's erstwhile teacher, who now pays with her life for a fateful misstep on her own mission to uncover the truth, Mr. Rafiel has at least woven as finely-spun a web as he could in support of his avenging angel's chore; and he has brought her in touch with everybody she needs to meet: Verity's guardians Clothilde and Anthea Bradbury-Scott (Margaret Tyzack and Anna Cropper) and their sister Lavinia Glynne (Valerie Lush), Archdeacon Brabazon (Peter Copley), Verity's and Michael's marriage counselor and spiritual advisor, and a Mrs. Brent (Liz Fraser), whose daughter had disappeared around the time of Verity's death. And Miss Marple soon realizes that the central clue to unmasking the young woman's murderer is love: Verity wasn't killed for her beauty, superior intelligence or money (none of which she possessed) - but, simply, because she was loved.

Originally airing in the 1980s, the BBC's adaptations of Agatha Christie's twelve Miss Marple novels quickly established Joan Hickson in the title role even in the view of the grandmother (or rather, grand-aunt) of all village sleuths and "noticing kinds of persons"'s creator, Dame Agatha herself. (After seeing Hickson in an adaptation of her "Appointment With Death," as early as 1946 Christie sent her a note expressing the hope she would "play my dear Miss Marple.") Prior versions, partly involving rather high-octane casts, had featured, inter alia, Angela Lansbury and Margaret Rutherford, but had been decidedly less faithful to Christie's books. While Lansbury holds her own fairly well in 1980's "Hollywood does Christie" version of "The Mirror Crack'd" (and that movie's ageing actresses' showdown featuring Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak is a delight to watch) the four movies starring Rutherford are only loosely based on Christie's books and Dame Margaret's Miss Marple, although likewise a splendid performance, has about as much to do with Christie's demure, seemingly scatterbrained village sleuth as Big Ben with the English countryside.

"Nemesis," published only five years before Christie's own death, is darker in mood and atmosphere than earlier Miss Marple mysteries; and this 1987 adaptation faithfully maintains that spirit. My major quibble - one of the few I have with this series at all - is that it was produced *before* the adaptation of "A Caribbean Mystery" (1989), which not only breaks the continuity in Jason Rafiel's character (superbly portrayed by Donald Pleasence in the prequel) but necessarily also leads to some incompleteness in establishing his and Miss Marple's relationship. But much of this is made up in Rafiel's final note to his sleuth, written in a frail hand and transmitted by a most significant messenger after Verity's murderer is brought to justice: "Thank you, Miss Marple, my Nemesis. Shall we meet again?" I sincerely hope they did ... January 1, 2005

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