Rating: 
Summary: Take a step back to the beginning
Review: Some actors play characters and some become them. Suchet is Poirot...or is Poirot Suchet? Missing is the greasiness that Albert Finney injected into the character in Murder on the Orient Express. Also missing is the familiarity that Ustinov brought--that feeling that Ustinov as Poirot was similar to Ustinov as anybody. Suchet is an original.One warning before I say more: I've read only a couple of the books, and am no expert to say the least. The Mysterious Affair at Styles is a good place to begin this series of DVDs, as it shows how Poirot and Hastings met. Especially memorable is the suggestion of a greater degree of depth of experience with Hastings than usually found in the shorter episodes. Don't worry though, you still get the enjoyable Hastings goofiness. Check out his marriage offer and the woman's response as an example. The story itself isn't as memorable as some, though I think it does do an excellent job with redirection that sets it apart from most. Specifically, I think it does an excellent job of playing on the jaded assumptions we often make as we leap ahead with our guesses; I admit that I was more smug in the middle than accurate in the end. In addition, the settings, from buildings to countryside, are wonderful and the dialog is engaging. However, I can only give the Acorn series 4 out of 5 stars. Why? Because until DVDs become the sole way people watch movies at home, expectations must be higher. I have no complaints about the audio or the picture, but where are the multimedia extras? The features that make owning (and paying more for) a DVD worthwhile. Except for some text-based items, this DVD is bereft of goodies. Shame on you, Acorn! How about a 10 minute interview with the actors? Behind the scenes footage? A brief documentary on Christie and where this episode fits in? Something? DVDs are not books. They are multimedia delivery devices. OK. Rant over. Suffice it so say, if you love the character, and especially if you love the series, the feature length DVDs are worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: OUTSTANDING
Review: This is simply a stumper of a who-dunit that is an absolutely charming period piece. I am amazed at how true to the novel the story remains. Poirot and hastings are outstanding together. If you have never seen anything of the productions involving David Suchet, please start with this(it was also Christie's 1st novel). If you have seen any of Mr. Suchet and company's work count yourself blessed. Television has rarely if ever been this good.
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