Poirot Set 12

Rating:
Summary: At last, the series complete
Review: At last. With the appearance of the 3 tapes that comprise "Poirot, Set 12," the Acorn Media series of releases of all the Poirot episodes is now available, the short episodes on tape only but soon to be released on DVD and the longer episodes in both formats.

The three stories in this last set are a cut above average (and that average is pretty high in this series). "The King of Clubs" involves the murder of a detestable film producer and opens with a very funny and technically fascinating sequence of a movie set during the era of the early talkies. Note especially the use of matte for special effects. While you might find the "solution" not quite satisfying, the whole thing is a lot of fun.

"The Dream" suffers as most television versions do of stories that involve one character made up to resemble another one. A little subplot is added concerning Miss Lemon's need for a decent typewriter and Poirot's strangely obtuse reaction to her demands. Again the opening sequence around the assembly line of a great pie factory with its female workers in fetching blue and white uniforms is beautifully done.

"The Incredible Theft" does have a double turn of events at the end and a pretty good car chase preceding it. And it is in this episode that we learn from Hastings that Chief Inspector Japp talks in his sleep as he relives past arrests!

It is little touches like this that have made the series such a success, not to mention the fine acting of leading and supporting actors and the impeccable period designs. Set 12 is a worthy ending to a fine set of video recordings from Acorn Media.