Cheap The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection (DVD) (George Pollock) Price

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Customer Reviews of The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection

The Inimitable Margaret Rutherford As The Inimitable Jane Marple
Margaret Rutherford was a scene-stealing, eccentric force of nature in all her movies, and I suspect in her stage roles as well. She had a shape like a sack of produce, a double chin that trembled with a life of its own, little eyes that could widen in shock or squint with suspicion and, when her characters were aroused, a forceful stride that took all before it. Her personality was simply unique. The only other actor I can think of who matched her in eccentricity, potential ham and acting skill was Alastair Sim, another memorable British screen presence. <
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>In Murder She Said, Rutherford plays Agatha Christie's Miss Jane Marple. Rather, she plays Rutherford's Miss Jane Marple. She made four Marple films, but I doubt if anyone reading Christie's stories would ever have envisaged Rutherford in the part. Now, for many people, Marple is Rutherford. She's that strong a character. <
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>Jane Marple is on a train when she looks out at another train passing by on the next track. In the window of one of the carriage rooms she sees, for a few moments, a woman being strangled. When she reports this and the police search the train at the next station and the area where Miss Marple says it happened, there is no body to be found. The trains were passing Ackenthorpe Hall, an estate run with a loud voice and an irascible temper by old Ackenthorpe (James Robertson Justice), a bed-ridden man who believes he's on his last legs and intends to keep his family, most of whom have their eyes on the estate, firmly in line. It's only a short while before Miss Marple decides to investigate Ackenthorpe Hall, where she believes the body must have been hidden. She manages to get herself hired as the maid, a position which frequently is vacant because of Ackenthorpe's rudeness. "There is one thing I cannot tolerate," he tells her as she stands in front of his bed in her maid's uniform, "and that is impertinence!" Miss Marple is having none of that. "Well, we should get on admirably," she says. "Neither can I!" She also must deal with a precocious grandson, young Alexander. "You know, it isn't just that you don't look like Jane Mansfield. You're not my idea of a maid, either," he tells her. "Well, quite honestly," she tells the kid, "I don't think you're everybody's idea of a boy." The only non-family members in the place appear to be Miss Marple, Dr. Paul Quimper (Arthur Kennedy), the housekeeper, Mrs. Kidder (Joan Hickson, who years later made a quieter and equally memorable Marple) and a surly groundsman. Needless to say, Miss Marple finds herself in the middle of clever dialogue and grave danger as she eventually discovers the motive for murder and unmasks the killer. <
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>This is the first of the Marple movies, gathered together in the four-disc "The Agatha Christie Miss Marple Movie Collection." The others are fun, but rely much more on Rutherford's personality. Murder She Said benefits not just from Rutherford, but from a clever, witty script, a mystery which plays reasonably fair and which is tough to solve, solid acting by the other players, especially Arthur Kennedy as the sincere but slightly ironic doctor who plans to marry Ackenthorpe's daughter and James Robertson Justice's Ackenthorpe. Justice specialized in blustering characters and few were better at it than he. <
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>As far as the other three movies in the package go (and you can't buy any of the movies separately yet), Rutherford is the reason to see them. They all feature murder and Rutherford's indomitable determination to trap the killers. Murder at the Gallop (1963) features Robert Morley as well as Rutherford on a horse. (Miss Marple was a champion equestrienne in her younger days). Murder Ahoy (1964) features Lionel Jeffries as well as Rutherford in a sword duel with the murderer (Miss Marple was a champion fencer in her younger days). Murder Most Foul (1964) features Ron Moody and Rutherford as a crack shot (Miss Marple was a champion pistol shooter in her younger days). All four films were directed by George Pollock. <
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>Margaret Rutherford was 71 when she made Murder She Said. She first began making movies when she was 44. Noel Coward wrote the part of Madam Arcadi, the spiritualist, for her when he created Blithe Spirit. She played the role in the 1945 movie version which starred Rex Harrison. If you can find the DVD, it's worth getting just for Coward's dialogue and Rutherford's way with it. And for a very satisfying time, pick of a copy of the VHS tape (there's no DVD yet) of The Happiest Days of Your Life. It's the only movie I'm aware of where Rutherford and Alastair Sim co-starred. It's a very funny film, and the two of them outdo themselves as they try to outdo each other. <
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>All the movies in the DVD set look very good, clean and clear. There are no significant extras.

A must have set!
These movies are wonderful! Margaret Rutherford makes these films and her buddy Mr. Jim Stringer is her husband in real life :) It is a shame that more were not done with her as the lead......she brings humor to the roll & so does Mr. Stringer. I've never seen a person contort their face the way this woman can! She never hides her emotions very well! In Murder at the Gallop (made in 1963); wealthy Mr. Enderby dies of a heart attack but the ever-suspicious Miss Marple has her doubts. Who or what gave him a heart attack? Enderby's poor relatives gather at the The Gallop, a combined hotel and riding school. Miss Marple also stays there to find out if any of them had any particular reasons to see him dead. This one keeps you guessing until the end! Murder Ahoy (made in 1964); Miss Marple investigates the murder of one of her fellow trustees of a fund which rehabilitates young criminals. To investigate she goes aboard the ship used to train the juveniles, much to the distress of the Captain. She soon stumbles onto more murders, and a ring of thieves. Murder Most Foul (1964) Miss Marple is asked to sit on a jury after a woman is found hung and the "murderer" at her feet! But, she is the only jury member who believes that the accused is innocently charged with murder, so she joins a local acting troupe and tries to figure out who the real murderer is. Murder She Said (1961) Miss Marple is on a train ride when she witnesses a murder in a passing train. She reports it to the police but they won't believe her: since no body can be found there can't have been any murder (at least according to the police) So, Miss Marple begins her own investigation. The murder was committed while passing Ackenthorpe Hall, so Miss Marple gets herself a job there, cleaning and cooking while searching the house for clues. Murder She Wrote and Jessica Flethcer have NOTHING on Miss Marple!