Agatha Christie’s Poirot

“My name is Hercule Poirot and I am probably the greatest detective in the world.” (Poirot)

Name: Agatha Christie’s Poirot

Country: United Kingdom

Year: 1989 - 2013

Status: Completed

Episodes: 70 (13 Seasons)

Duration: 50 min

Genre: Crime, Drama and Mystery

Synopsis

David Suchet is Agatha Christie’s enigmatic, eccentric and extremely intelligent detective, Hercule Poirot. From England to the Mediterranean, accompanied by his elegant and trusting companions: captain Hastings, the chief-inspector Japp and Miss Lemon, Poirot uses its intelligence to solve a first class collection of crimes.

Review

Hercule Poirot is one of the most famous literary characters of the world. So, why not make a television series with him? Thus was born Poirot, a series that was on air for 25 years and that delighted fans of the dame of crime around the world. I don’t believe that it is necessary to talk about the works of Agatha Christie, taking into consideration how famous they are. Still, let's dive in...

In Poirot, we see Christie’s books come to life through David Suchet’s wonderful performance as the protagonist.

Accompanied most times by his friend Hastings, Hercule Poirot uses his little grey cells to solve the cases that come to him, at the same time helping inspector Japp in the investigations. Whether in England, in Egypt or in old Mesopotamia, crime seems to follow the detective like a shadow. As complex as the cases may be, Hercule appears to manage to solve them all.

Although there are other adaptations, I confess that this show is my favorite. And the reason is only one: David Suchet. I risk saying that if Agatha Christie were alive in 1989, she would have seen her character, Hercule Poirot, jump from the pages of the book and come to life on the big screen.

In fact, the cast of Poirot is incredibly well chosen. When I see David Suchet in the belgian detective’s role, I see my childhood and teenagehood come to life. There isn’t a single detail, no eccentric or over-dramatic gestures in the detective that irritates and charms us at the same time, that is made by chance.

But we mustn’t forget about the rest of the cast. Hugh Fraser plays captain Hastings who, although brave, does not show much intelligence. However, his crazy ideas and messes frequently help in solving the case. I confess that I don’t particularly like Hastings' character in the books, but Hugh Fraser plays him in such a wonderful way, giving him intelligence and insight that it is impossible not to like. To contrast with the captain’s imaginative mind we have Miss Lemon, Poirot’s secretary, played by Pauline Moran. Considered to be an efficient woman and without a bone of imagination, she is sometimes called to aid the detective on one of his cases. When we see Pauline Moran’s character, we can’t stop thinking about how much Miss Lemon looks like a tense, yet exotic, woman. Well, working for the greatest detective is not for everybody, right? And lastly, I cannot forget inspector Japp. Philip Jackson will always be my inspector Japp! Even though he does not participate much in the cases that Poirot solves, he is still an important character. And, in spite of being intelligent, he can’t surpass the detective in the resolution of the cases, which makes him feel jealous, and also, admiration towards Poirot.

Something that I admire in this cast is the fact that they were part of the show for 25 years. And perhaps because of that, when we see them in other roles, they continue to be lovable characters from Poirot.

As it is such a long series, it is not a surprise to say that it went through a lot of different directors. In spite of that, it kept it’s quality. For a television series that started in 1989, the graphics and technical composition are amazing. And, although I consider that there are series with better Photography, Poirot is not among the worst. In fact, that is something that gets better throughout the years, as the technology evolves.

And a detective series must have a good soundtrack to accompany the moments of horror when the crime is discovered, or when the assassin is revealed. I am not going to say that the soundtrack from Poirot is one of my favorites. However, I doubt there is anyone who listens to the first chords of the show’s main theme and does not remember the belgian detective and his little moustache.

Christopher Gunning, the music composer of the series’ first half, won a BAFTA in 1990 with the theme from Poirot, thus making the music another aspect that brands the show. Since it’s a series in which every episode is a case that Hercule Poirot solves, the ending could only be surprising. The moment in which the detective gathers all the story’s characters and accuses one by one of being the real killer, is the most anticipated part! And it’s the way that all the elements fit together at the end that leaves us astounded for not noticing them earlier.

Curiously, the last episode from the series is the last case in which Poirot takes part and, for me, is one of the most emotional.

Whisper of the Heart

I believe that I have already mentioned this before, or that you have at least guessed: I am a huge fan of Agatha Christie. I grew up reading her books (although I still have a long way ahead) and watching the adaptations of her works, and, for that reason, Poirot is a series that is very dear to me. Even though I recognize Sherlock Holmes’ merit in the way he uses deduction to solve his cases, it’s Hercule Poirot that I hold close to my heart.

Another of my favorite characters from Christie is Ariadne Oliver, a detective novel writer. When I mentioned the series’ character, I didn’t include the eccentric Ariadne (Zoë Wanamaker), for she only appears in the latest seasons. However, it’s a deliciously hilarious character. And that is not because she is funny, but due to her personality. You know those people that seem to always be thinking about a million things at the same time and appear to be talking to themselves? What charms me the most in this character is believing that Christie created her only to unburden herself regarding her own writing and how regretted she sometimes felt for creating Hercule Poirot. And that really amuses me!

I recently watched a wonderful documentary - Being Poirot - ,with David Suchet, which presented all the aspects that made the show famous worldwide. And I must confess to you that, in some moments, a tear rolled down my cheek. If you haven’t watched it yet, I recommend that you do!

“It is the brain, the little gray cells on which one must rely. One must seek the truth within-not without." (Hercule Poirot)

Thus, I couldn’t pick another series but this one for the topic “A Series that you never get tired of watching” for the Ecletic Heart 30 Post Challenge, because it is in fact a show that whenever is on television, I watch.

Rating - 🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉🟉 (10)