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Let's be honest about this. If this hadn't been advertised as an Agatha Christie adaptation, I would have rated it a lot higher. As it was, my wife gives it a 9, I give it a 3. Average score: 6.

Why the huge difference? Because I knew the story before we started watching and she didn't.

This is NOT an Agatha Christie adaptation. This is taking an Agatha Christie title, using the same characters, starting out with the same opening of a son convicted of killing his mother ..... and then changes pretty much everything that follows.

I could almost accept that. What I can not accept is having reached the final episode and expecting character "A" to be revealed as the killer in the closing scenes because I knew the original story but instead finding out that in this 'adaptation' it is actually character "B" that did the deed because the screenwriter knows better than the incomparable Agatha Christie.

Imagine if you were going to an 'adaptation' of a Shakespeare play about a couple of star crossed lovers. You know the story. You know what to expect. You are confused by a few of the director's changes as you watch and you are doubting your memory of the original story but then you get to the final scene and the boy ... let's call him Romeo ... rushes to the girl's tomb ... let's call her Juliette ... to find her apparently dead. Surprisingly (because you KNOW the story), he decides to join her and kill himself but ... just before he can plunge the sword into his chest, Juliette awakens in the nick of time. Furious at being so cruelly deceived into thinking his beloved was dead, he stabs Juliette instead and then launches into a long soliloquy on the tyranny of women before fleeing the stage. Would you be happy with the rewrite?

An adaptation of Agatha Christie's Ordeal by Innocence? It is nothing of the sort.

However, if this had been given a completely different title, with different unrecognizable characters, set in a different time and place, I probably would have enjoyed it.

As it was, I was left immensely frustrated by the writer, director and producer's decision to capitalize on the Christie name and not willing to let the production stand on its own merits.

In future Christie 'adaptation' by the BBC, I'll be carefully checking the screenwriter and avoiding it if it has Sarah Phelps name on it.

On the other hand, if I see an original production where Sarah Phelps is the writer, I'll give it a go because, as I said, other than the con of presenting it as an Agatha Christie it wasn't too bad.

Binged in one afternoon. I couldn't remember the book (read all Christie's decades ago!) so got caught up easily in the mystery. Scenery, settings and use of color is GORGEOUS. Loved the twists and turns. Extremely well acted and well paced. If you enjoyed Harlen Corbin's "Safe" and "The Five" you'll enjoy this. Looking forward to seeing more from this director and screenwriter.

A darker adaptation of an A.C. work. No Marple or Poirot (good) a straight forward mystery with plenty of red herrings. Re-worked by Sarah Phelps ,sometimes these are overworked, get boring. This one wasn't. Morven Christie, who I'm a big fan of, was certainly in total control of her part and acted out in style. Nice to see Bill Nighy playing it straight to the end, not his usual cameo of an aging rock star. I also liked that they used a reverse of film and clock as not to confuse you in stating a look back in time. A mystery with twists and turns to the very end, supported by a fine cast.

First, I didn't read Agatha Christie and didn't know the story before hand.

I found the whole thing a bit of a mess. The editing, directing, story/script, and acting were all annoying. There was no tension or real suspense, but I did stick through to the end because it was bearable and I did want to see the reveal. I also hoped it would get better...which it did, slightly. The last episode was the best because it had movement, but the whole of the story plodded along with unlikeable characters, flashbacks, and just didn't have anything clever or gripping in the way it was written or acted out IMHO!

5.5 stars for me. Feb2024.

This is a superb show. Period. I really dislike it when people come in with this "I read the book"" approach and "blah blah blah is different". WHO CARES! Enjoy the show.

Are people only allowed to use Christie stories with strict adherence to the book (rhetorical). That would be ridiculous. Is she sacrosanct?+

This is simply a superbly acted, superbly directed, very enjoyable story. Now look at what's happened to the rating because Christie extremists come in with this snotty attitude. Really too bad. Please get the popcorn and judge for yourself.

I read a lot of psychological thrillers and this one was long winded to get to the finale but it was worth it for the twist.

Some of the acting was over melodramatic but true Agatha Christie fans are accustomed to.

There has of course been a lot of controversy surrounding this drama, originally due for transmission at Christmas, The BBC recast and re shot the part of Mickey Argyll and sent it out over Easter 2018.

I'm sure many Agatha Christie fans, like myself, were disappointed by what happened, and the fact that the drama was pulled from Christmas TV, but the BBC of course made the right decision.

Hopes were high, The Annual BBC Agatha Christie drama has become a definite treat, following in the footsteps of Witness for the Prosecution, and the superb And then there were none.

The production values were of course evident, gloriously shot, superb settings and costumes, a truly lavish feel. Acting throughout was superb too, Bill Nighy, Eleanor Tomlinson and Matthew Goode all worthy of a mention.

At times I felt like there were too many cutaways, ticking clocks, wine being poured etc. but they did help set the scene and build the atmosphere.

Ordeal by Innocence seemed rather a brave choice to go with following the previous adaptations, particularly when you take into account that ITV made it back in 2007, and Geraldine McEwan popped up as Marple. In terms of accuracy and bringing a book to life, this wins hands down.

Disappointing that it wasn't shown over three nights as is the custom, the three week span seemed unnecessary, but I'm sure it will prove a ratings hit.

Next up for Sarah Phelps is Poirot, The ABC Murders, that's a whole different ball game, following David Suchet's golden reign in the role will be hugely challenging.

Overall though, Ordeal by Innocence is very good indeed, when you take into account the source material, cast and budget, they were never going to fail.

Not the best Christie film but good enough to stay with all three episodes. Seems to be less Christie and moe Neo Noir. I knocked off a star for the grating over wrought music that accompanied the tense moments. My nominatin for the worst music in a film ever.

Before you start watching this, you should know that the story has been rewritten, it's not exactly like the one in the book. Now that that's out of the way, without complaining about the fact that this wasn't an adaptation as much as it was a rewrite, I'm just going to say what I thought about it as a movie not as a story.

The actors did their best, there weren't any moments when I found the acting to be questionable. They had depth, were three-dimensional and just made the story interesting. I've got nothing bad to say about the actors or the characters.

The plot was intriguing, but an exciting story is expected from an Agatha Christie adaptation. It had depth, it definitely keeps you on your toes and again, nothing bad to say about that.

The directing wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. It is a bit excusable, considering there was quite a wide variety of scenery and an intriguing plot, so it didn't need some amazing directing, although as I have previously said, it could have been better.

Summing up, it's a great mini-series to watch, I definitely recommend it. You shouldn't watch it if you expect the story to be exactly like Christie's book. I didn't really mind that, it felt like a gust of fresh air. I'm actually giving it a 8.5/10.

Boring, over acted and just meh.

Typical of a bbc adaption they plod it out so much. 2 episodes would be better.

I think that, were this not billed as an adaptation of the fantastic novel by Agatha Christie, I would have given it a six or seven. Unfortunately they missed an opportunity. All they would have had to do was change the name and not claim any source material and it would have been great fun, ie the 90's movie Clueless vs Emma. Instead they claimed the characters names, basic situation and then proceeded to change everything else. For what? I can only hope that it wasn't a misguided belief that they are better than the in incomparable short mystery novelist Christie. This is shameful with such great source material.

I cannot say Ordeal by Innocence is my favourite Christie's novel. But I was looking forward for this TV drama. Part I seemed very poor to me, I couldn't imagine this Dr. Calgery arriving and solving the mystery of the Argyle family. Part II explained more about the story and part III was really powerful. Unexpected ending, Nemesis of the murderer... yes, I can accept this adaption indeed.

If I read this book, I read it years and years ago and didn't remember the plot or the characters. As a country house mystery, this is very well done, well-acted and enjoyable. Based on reviews from Agatha Christie fans, this adaptation differs wildly from the original story. But I believe that it stands very well on its own.

I had forgotten the original plot so l didn't realise or mind too much about the Phelps reinvention. Loved the Art Deco curtains as did a previous poster and of course the costumes and decor generally . I can't, however , let go of my annoyance at the idea that the maintenance of that mansion and grounds, let alone the maiding and servanting of half a dozen people , the laundry and the entire cooking and serving of all meals, including vast Christmas fare was apparently totally undertaken by the hapless Kirsten..... Shallow and pettifogging of me no doubt, but l got obsessed with the lack of a butler, footmen, maids, gardeners, cooks and what have you without which such a house would not have functioned.

What a show. Once you start to watch, it becomes so addictive. Great diverse acting.

Brilliant adaptation! Different from the book (which is my favourite Christie) but it makes it fresh! The cast is great and the while thing is just great! I can't wait for the next Christie from Phelps this Christmas :)

I wouldn't have wanted to be in Sarah Phelps' shoes when this adaptation of Ordeal by Innocence was released, she must have hated the critics comments. I haven't read the book so I can't compare them. It seems to be very familiar Christie territory with virtually all the characters having a motive to kill the mother of the family.

However, as the story progressed, and the actions of the past came to light, I could see who the killer was, but as it wasn't the same as in Miss Christie's book, that is a star off from me to Miss Phelps and her story.

I rather enjoyed this; we didn't have all the upper class types with posh voices littering the series, but it was a typical BBC dramatic production with great cinematography and casting. As I would still like to find out the proper ending, I guess I will have to go back to the book, and read another crime story by the lady who is one of the very best, Agatha Christie.

Wonderful performances. Never a dull moment. So glad I came across this miniseries. Always kept you guessing and then it was wrapped up beautifully! Very satisfying.

Having enjoyed previous versions of this Agatha Christie plot I looked forward to this production with a talented cast led by one of my favourite actors, Bill Nigh.

Unfortunately, despite superb costumes, setting and film quality, the constant drone of the background music and constant revisiting of the timeline made the whole production feel sluggish and laboured.

Were some of the scenes really necessary? At times it made uncomfortable viewing, although that may have been deliberate.

One by one the back stories of the main characters are revealed with the climax revealing who did it.

I believe this production would have benefitted however with an increased pace and by being 2 episodes long and not three.

Total garbage using the title of an Agatha Christie novel, the same characters, and changing the story and the identity of the killer. A bunch of totally unlikable characters.

Great production values totally wasted.

I don't blame the vulgar and sexed-up script totally on the writer; I blame the money-hungry Christie estate for allowing this type of trash to be made. They do not oversee these productions; some of them, as this one, are downright awful and have very little to do with Christie.

This was pretty good tho I was correct with my initial suspicion. There's a lot of twists and turns it was kinda quirky ( not sure if that's how all Christies stuff is) and it was well acted and no long. Totally recommend.