Cheap Poirot - Hickory Dickory Dock (DVD) (Andrew Grieve) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of Poirot - Hickory Dickory Dock

I started reading some of Agatha Christie's mysteries this year, and I firmly believe that David Suchet is the best portrayal of Hercule Poirot that ever was. I have seen other notorious actors, such as Peter Ustinov and Tony Randall, play the part, but they do not achieve the full embodiment of the persona (both physical and psychological) that David Suchet does.

HICKORY DICKORY DOCK isn't an immediately predictable film. I honestly did not know who the killer was until Poirot revealed the truth. This is not one of those mysteries where you can tell what the detective or the police or the killer will do before they even do it; this film left me completely on the edge of my seat. HICKORY DICKORY DOCK has a storyline that does not follow some predetermined, overused mystery plot; it is creative and exciting. Additionally, the historical accuracy is extreme, right down to the shoes.

I highly recommend any of the David Suchet Poirot films to anyone searching for an interesting, exciting mystery to watch.

Another Triumph for Suchet's Poirot
When a series of petty thefts at a student hostel turns into a case of murder, it is up to the great Hercule Poirot to solve the baffling crime. However, he soon finds himself involved not only in a case of murder, but smuggling and political doings as well. Not only that, he foolishly invites the rather sloppy Inspector Japp to stay with him, while Japp's wife is away, which make for a rather rough time ala the "Odd Couple." HICKORY DICKORY DOCK is another in the BBC/Mystery series featuring the wonderful David Suchet cementing his claim as the definitive Poirot. Phillip Jackson adds a nice touch of earthy humor as his foil, Chief Inspector Japp. David Burke, best known as Dr. Watson in the Jeremy Brett SHERLOCK HOLMES series, appears in an extended cameo as a dying politician. Once again, great care and intelligence is lavished on this production that would make Agatha Christie proud. Another winner for Poirot fans and a film I highly recommend.

High quality - but curiously dull
I really enjoyed the novel and was expecting to enjoy the movie version, but I found it curiously dull as compared to many of the other adaptations. No Captain Hastings and a mouse. This mouse, while cute, appeared far too often - crawling around the clock, arriving in rooms at the precise moment they were murdered, even acting as a catalyst in the climactic scene. The real interesting aspects of the book, and much of its humor, came from Dame Agatha's casting of these motley group of students. As a product of her time, she had used racial epithets in her earlier works that American publishers changed because they were offensive. She changed though. Watching her evolve with the times, and reflect those times in her novels provides a fascinating look at the social evolution of the 20th century. She has a lesbian couple in "A Murder is Announced" and in Hickory Dickory Dock - she had Ram Lal - an Indian student, very political yet polite and the extremely charming and affable Akibombo from Africa. However, these were the two characters that were cut from the adaptation. They did not have large dramatic parts which made them more expendable, but they added warmth and humor to the assemble that made the book very charming. The group of students in the movie seemed simultaneously dull and unattractive personality-wise although they were supposed to have a lot of camaraderie as young folks all living under the same roof. The mystery itself was secondary in this story - so not top-shelp Christie who-done-it in my opinion. The humor and interest in the movie are the trials and tribulations poor Japp endures as Poirot's house-guest. Miss Lemon has a larger part this time, and is a constant presence. And finally - the trying-not-to-be-horrified looks Japp and Poirot try to suppress as each tries to impress the other with their native cuisine is priceless. Too few and far between though - unless you're a huge Christie fan, I would suggest exploring the other movies first.