Ranking of "AGATHA CHRISTIE' POIROT" Movies
With one more season of "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" left with David Suchet as the famous literary Belgian detective, I thought it would be nice to rank some of the series' feature-length movies that aired between 1989 and 2010. I have divided this ranking into two lists - my top five favorite movies and my five least favorite movies:
RANKING OF "AGATHA CHRISTIE'S POIROT" MOVIES
Top Five Favorite Movies
1. "Five Little Pigs" (2003) - In this beautifully poignant tale, Hercule Poirot investigates a fourteen year-old murder for which his client's mother was erroneously convicted and hanged.
2. "After the Funeral" (2006) - When a relative of a deceased man questions the nature of his death at a family funeral, she is violently murdered the following day and the family's solicitor requests Poirot's help. Better than the novel, the movie has a surprising twist.
3. "The A.B.C. Murders" (1992) - In this first-rate adaptation of one of Christie's most original tales, Poirot receives clues and taunting letters from a serial killer who appears to choose his random victims and crime scenes alphabetically.
4. "Murder on the Links" (1996) - While vacationing in Deauville with his friend, Arthur Hastings, Poirot is approached by a businessman, who claims that someone from the past has been sending him threatening letters. One of my favorites.
5. "Sad Cypress" (2003) - Poirot is asked to investigate two murders for which a young woman has been convicted in the emotional and satisfying tale.
Top Five Least Favorite Movies
1. "Taken at the Flood" (2006) - In this rather unpleasant tale, Poirot is recruited by an upper-class family to investigate the young widow of their late and very rich relative, who has left his money solely to her.
2. "The Hollow" (2004) - A favorite with many Christie fans, but not with me, this tale features Poirot's investigation into the murder of a successful doctor at a country house weekend party.
3. "Appointment With Death" (2008) - In this sloppy adaptation of one of Christie's novel, Poirot investigates the death of a wealthy American widow, during his vacation in the Middle East.
4. "Hickory Dickory Dock" (1995) - In a tale featuring an annoying nursery rhyme, Poirot's secretary Miss Lemon persuades Poirot to investigate a series of apparently minor thefts in a university hostel where her sister works, but simple kleptomania soon turns to homicide.
5. "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe" (1992) - Poirot and Chief Inspector Japp investigates the alleged suicide of the Belgian detective's dentist. Despite the heavy political overtones, this movie is nearly sunk by a premature revelation of the killer.