Rating: 
Summary: Solving a Mystery that has No Clues!!
Review: +++++
(Note: this review is exclusively for the Miss Marple mystery "Nemesis.")
I watched this movie without reading the 1971 Dame Agatha Christie novel that it was based on. (Christie wrote twelve full-length Miss Marple murder mysteries.) I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch this movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.
The movie begins with millionaire Jason Rafiel (Frank Gatliff) dying of natural causes. Soon after his death, Miss Marple (the late Joan Hickson) receives a letter written by the now dead Rafiel (who was her friend) asking her to do some investigation. Miss Marple questions and comments after reading this letter:
"What kind of crime, if it was a crime, was it? When [was it] committed - where - anything? I'm most bewildered. It's like being asked to do a crossword puzzle without any clues!"
Miss Marple eventually, with the aid of her godson Lionel (Peter Tilbury) begins slowly collecting information, the most interesting being the mysterious death of two young girls named Verity Hunt and Nora Brent. However, Miss Marple is not sure of herself in her investigation and admits the following:
"Mr. Rafiel is a ghostly puppet master...laughing at [me] from beyond the grave."
Eventually a murder and suicide occur.
Who are the people associated with this intriguing mystery? They are as follows:
(1) Michael Rafiel, Jason's son (Bruce Payne)
(2) Mr. Broadribb, Jason's lawyer (Roger Hammond)
(3) Mr. Shuster, another of Jason's lawyers (Pat Godfrey)
(4) Miss Temple, retired school head mistress (Helen Cherry)
(5) Professor (of criminal psychology) Waustead (John Horsley)
(6) Miss Cooke, bodyguard (Jane Booker)
(7) Miss Barrow, bodyguard (Alison Skilbeck)
(8) Clothilde Bradbury-Scott, the past guardian of Verity Hunt (Margaret Tyzack)
(9) Anthea, Clothilde's sister and another guardian of Verity (Anna Chopper)
(10) Lavina, a married sister of Clothilde (Valerie Lush)
(11) Mrs. Brent, mother of Nora (Liz Fraser)
(12) Archdeacon Brabazon (Peter Copley)
Joan Hickson (whom Agatha Christie herself wanted to play Miss Marple) captures the essence of the heroine super sleuth in her performance. (Hickson was 81 years old in this movie!). Other fine performances to look for are Bruce Payne as Rafiel's son and Margaret Tyzack as Clothilde.
For trivia buffs, the character Jason Rafiel also appears in the Miss Marple murder mystery "A Caribbean Mystery." The actor, Bruce Payne, was the main bad guy opposite Wesley Snipes in the 1992 movie "Passenger 57."
Finally, the cinematography of this movie is well done. All costumes and props are authentic looking. The background music adds to each scene.
In conclusion, this is a fun and intriguing movie even if you have read the novel it's based on!!
(1987; 100 min; made for TV; British drama; full screen; color)
+++++
Rating:
Summary: Quaint
Review: Anything that can inspire MatronsApron to write a song about it must be of some merit. A compelling series of mystery stories, each with its own type of clanicity.
Rating:
Summary: A lioness in winter
Review: Here's the finest show of the series, the late Joan Hickson playing a fading Miss Marple, a perfect portrayal matching her own passage in life. The plot and supporting characters are first rate, but it is the sense of finality that drives this play, a feeling that Miss Marple won't be solving any more mysteries. The supporting cast plays that angle well, and because the characters are clued in about the nature of the mystery, it gives them a chance to voice a retrospective admiration. She is not alone here, not at all, but rather placed on a pedestal one last time, her talents acknowledged by friends and admirers, the most important from the grave, who names her ``nemesis''; which she is here indeed to the guilty. This play isn't about a murder, it's about Miss Marple. Altogether touching and sad, a fine two hours that leaves one feeling that time passes too quickly, for Miss Marple, and us all.
Rating: 
Summary: Miss Marple, Set 1
Review: I am writing more in response to the reviews that refer to the quality of these DVD's or, rather, the lack thereof. I have to agree that these DVD's do not live up to anything Criterion puts out (no company does it better) but, on the other hand, I don't expect it to be that quality for the price paid. Also, these originally were filmed in that late 1980's and I would doubt that the original negatives were retained for recording purposes some 16 years later.I buy them because I love the character of Miss Marple and especially the quality performance of Joan Hickson. Further, comparing Hickson's performance of Miss Marple with Ms. Rutherford's (these were MGM British production in the mid-1960's and were made to be campy and funny--remember at least one of the movies made was originally an Hercule Poirot story) is like comparing Lord Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Henry V to something that John Cleese might do (heaven forbid!). So, take the quality as they are, relax and enjoy. If you want true digital quality, we must purchase anything that is produced from the original negative rather than a positive copied, and from a true, reputable producer of DVDs ...
Rating:
Summary: Miss Marple, Set 1
Review: I am writing more in response to the reviews that refer to the quality of these DVD's or, rather, the lack thereof. I have to agree that these DVD's do not live up to anything Criterion puts out (no company does it better) but, on the other hand, I don't expect it to be that quality for the price paid. Also, these originally were filmed in that late 1980's and I would doubt that the original negatives were retained for recording purposes some 16 years later. I buy them because I love the character of Miss Marple and especially the quality performance of Joan Hickson. Further, comparing Hickson's performance of Miss Marple with Ms. Rutherford's (these were MGM British production in the mid-1960's and were made to be campy and funny--remember at least one of the movies made was originally an Hercule Poirot story) is like comparing Lord Laurence Olivier's portrayal of Henry V to something that John Cleese might do (heaven forbid!). So, take the quality as they are, relax and enjoy. If you want true digital quality, we must purchase anything that is produced from the original negative rather than a positive copied, and from a true, reputable producer of DVDs ...
Rating: 
Summary: Rutherford Reigns
Review: I know that technically I am wrong on every count. Joan Hickson is far closer to the character from the books than was Margaret Rutherford. The T.V. series stuck far more closely to the plots of the books and the style of the books than did the MGM films. And I know that, although they became great friends, Agatha Christie detested the films and thought Rutherford totally wrong for the part. Nevertheless, Margaret Rutherford had such charm and was clearly such an eccentric (as well as being an excellent character actress,) that I far prefer the generally maligned film series. To top it off, Ron Goodwin's soundtracks were terrific. It would be nice to see them on CD. (Fat chance.) By all means, perpetuate the series via DVD, but PLEASE, MGM or Ted Turner or whoever currently holds the rights, issue the Rutherford films on DVD as well. The less said the better, however, about MGM's ill-conceived, ill-fated attempt to launch an Hercule Poirot franchise with Tony Randall. And I LIKE Tony Randall. I loved him in The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, which, through some uncharacteristic burst of good taste, IS on DVD and which should be purchased forthwith. When they actually manage to put out a deserving film, it is our responsibility to support the effort by buying it. The book (The Circus of Dr. Lao) is 20 times better than the movie and should still be in print. One more thing and then I will shut up. If you are a Margaret Rutherford fan, I strongly reccommend Mouse on the Moon. Granted, Peter Sellers is AWOL, but ya got yer Margaret, ya got yer Terry Thomas, yer Ron Moody, Bernard Cribbens, John Le Mesurier, etc. Ya got yer Richard Lester directing. Could the director of HELP do anything wrong? (Not much chance of The Bed-Sitting Room being issued on DVD, I suppose, is there?)
Rating:
Summary: Rutherford Reigns
Review: I know that technically I am wrong on every count. Joan Hickson is far closer to the character from the books than was Margaret Rutherford. The T.V. series stuck far more closely to the plots of the books and the style of the books than did the MGM films. And I know that, although they became great friends, Agatha Christie detested the films and thought Rutherford totally wrong for the part. Nevertheless, Margaret Rutherford had such charm and was clearly such an eccentric (as well as being an excellent character actress,) that I far prefer the generally maligned film series. To top it off, Ron Goodwin's soundtracks were terrific. It would be nice to see them on CD. (Fat chance.) By all means, perpetuate the series via DVD, but PLEASE, MGM or Ted Turner or whoever currently holds the rights, issue the Rutherford films on DVD as well. The less said the better, however, about MGM's ill-conceived, ill-fated attempt to launch an Hercule Poirot franchise with Tony Randall. And I LIKE Tony Randall. I loved him in The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, which, through some uncharacteristic burst of good taste, IS on DVD and which should be purchased forthwith. When they actually manage to put out a deserving film, it is our responsibility to support the effort by buying it. The book (The Circus of Dr. Lao) is 20 times better than the movie and should still be in print. One more thing and then I will shut up. If you are a Margaret Rutherford fan, I strongly reccommend Mouse on the Moon. Granted, Peter Sellers is AWOL, but ya got yer Margaret, ya got yer Terry Thomas, yer Ron Moody, Bernard Cribbens, John Le Mesurier, etc. Ya got yer Richard Lester directing. Could the director of HELP do anything wrong? (Not much chance of The Bed-Sitting Room being issued on DVD, I suppose, is there?)
Rating:
Summary: Fairly good adaptations, lousy picture quality
Review: I love the Miss Marple stories. They are cozy, ingenious, and startling at the same time. Joan Hickson is marvelous as Miss Marples. The problems with these productions is two-fold: adaptation and picture quality. If more time had been alloted to each episode, then I'm sure these programs would have been better. As it is, things are rushed (as compared with the novels). In a mystery this is not a good thing. BUT this is a minor complaint compared to the horrendous picture quality of all but "They Do It With Mirrors." How any company could have the nerve to put this out and have the gall to charge for it is beyond me. You would think A&E would care more, but then just check out these same episodes when they are broadcast: the same lousy quality. The picture looks like it is several generations removed from the original and whatever source material was used for the transfer was faded, worn out, dirty, dull-looking (almost no contrast), and extremely grainy--in fact you could play connect the dots with the grain. In some scenes the picture has a wavering quality, especially near the top of the scene. Miss Marple and Agatha Christie deserve far better than this--not to mention us, the consumer. A&E should be thoroughly ashamed!
Rating:
Summary: Fairly good adaptations, lousy picture quality
Review: I love the Miss Marple stories. They are cozy, ingenious, and startling at the same time. Joan Hickson is marvelous as Miss Marples. The problems with these productions is two-fold: adaptation and picture quality. If more time had been alloted to each episode, then I'm sure these programs would have been better. As it is, things are rushed (as compared with the novels). In a mystery this is not a good thing. BUT this is a minor complaint compared to the horrendous picture quality of all but "They Do It With Mirrors." How any company could have the nerve to put this out and have the gall to charge for it is beyond me. You would think A&E would care more, but then just check out these same episodes when they are broadcast: the same lousy quality. The picture looks like it is several generations removed from the original and whatever source material was used for the transfer was faded, worn out, dirty, dull-looking (almost no contrast), and extremely grainy--in fact you could play connect the dots with the grain. In some scenes the picture has a wavering quality, especially near the top of the scene. Miss Marple and Agatha Christie deserve far better than this--not to mention us, the consumer. A&E should be thoroughly ashamed!
Rating:
Summary: See my review of each individual Aunt Jane movie
Review: In case it gets cross posted this is a review of [Collection 2 (1986) ASIN: 630340488X] This collection contains five Aunt Jane Movies ("The Moving Finger," "Nemesis," "The Murder at the Vicarage," "At Bertram's Hotel," "They Do It with Mirrors,"]. There is no way to rank these movies as to which one is best. They are like shoes; everyone has a different favorite. I did look it up to find that all of Agatha Christie's full Miss Marple novels were made in to movies with Joan Hickson as Miss Jane Marple. And this set has 5. Agatha Christie Collection 1 - Boxed Set ASIN: 6303111564, contains 4 more. Then there are three individual films not in the collection boxes. If you do not obtain them all you will be haunted for the rest of your life wondering what you missed.
|
