Hercule Poirot's Christmas: 'Tis the Season for Murder

I have been reading Agatha Christie as long as I can remember. I have been thrilled with many of the BBC versions of her novels. In my opinion, one of the best adaptions was Hercule Poirot's Christmas. I recently rewatched this production and enjoyed it. I continue to marvel at David Suchet's brilliant portrayal of Hercule Poirot. I thought a blog for this Christmas themed Poirot tale would be perfect for Christmas Eve.

Hercule Poirot's Christmas is perfect viewing for a mystery fan during Yule time. The movie starts with a flashback showing how Simeon Lee made his fortune in 1896 in South Africa. Of course, Mr. Lee was a ruthless opportunist who the audience knows will eventually pay for his sins. The story moves forward to the late 1930's. It is December 21st and Simeon Lee is gathering his family together for Christmas. Lee calls Hercule Poirot and invites him to his mansion for Christmas. Poirot accepts since the central heating is out in his apartment.

The Christmas gathering at Simeon Lee's is hardly festive. It is obvious his sons have little love for their father. His son Alfred and his wife Lydia have been taking care of Simeon, not that Simeon appreciates their efforts. Simeon's son George is a member of Parliament with a young trophy wife. George loves Simeon's money and what it has done for his career. The black sheep of the family, Harry, has been summoned back home for Christmas. In addition, Simeon Lee has included his granddaughter Pilar in the Lee family gathering. Pilar is the daughter of Lee's late daughter Jennifer and her Spanish husband. The family has never met Pilar since she was raised in Spain.

Not surprisingly, Christie provides her ace detective with a robbery and murder to solve. I particularly like that it is a locked room murder. You know, the type of crime that just could not have happened -- yet did! Simeon Lee has had his throat viciously slashed. However, there is not much grief. It is obvious that the local inspector, Supt. Sudgen will need Poirot's help. In a nice plot twist, Poirot rescues Inspector Japp from his wife's family Christmas event to help investigate the murder.

Christie understood that a good basic plot with the "usual suspects" often works better than a convoluted story. The producers of the Poirot series understand the importance of set dressing and atmosphere. This film does an excellent job capturing the bleakness of the Lee mansion. We can sense the impending doom from the time Poirot enters the Lee estate. In addition, the era is captured beautifully. The costumes as well as sets reflect 1930's England. The additional dialogue about the political situations in Europe also adds authenticity. It is this attention to detail that makes BBC TV productions superior to American ones.

If you like a good mystery, consider Hercule Poirot's Christmas for your viewing pleasure. I think David Suchet's performance as Poirot is enough to make this movie worthwhile. It is a shame Agatha Christie did not live to see Suchet breath life into her most famous character. Suchet truly knows how to make us laugh with, never at Poirot. We recognize his eccentricities but ultimately admire his brilliance and desire for justice. I also think Philip Jackson's portrayal of Inspector Japp is outstanding. Japp is not dense, he simply is not as gifted as Poirot. Jackson does an excellent job showing that Japp is a man of intelligence and grit. He will get the solution, just not as quickly as Poirot does.

Merry Christmas to all!