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I was driven to write this by Charlie Peterson's baffling review, claiming that it is nothing like the book. I had watched and enjoyed the film, but then saw that review and so went back and read the book again.

It's a book with an awful lot of people talking and saying what they're thinking, which you simply can't drop straight into a film adaptation. However, the fundamental story line is maintained, along with almost all the characters. (A couple of very minor ones have been dropped, and one other minor one is introduced.)

You can't turn a book like this verbatim into a film, but this is a really good effort and very well done indeed. It captures the atmosphere and the story telling of the book excellently. To fuss that you can spot tiny differences is simply splitting hairs.

There are really bad adaptations out there - The Secret of Chimneys with Julia McKenzie for instance is quite dreadful - but where that film scores less than 1% for faithfulness to the book, Nemesis scores well over 90%.

Worth seeing - whether or not you have read the book.

Miss Marple receives a mission from beyond the grave, her old friend Jason Rafiel asks her to search for justice.

I have waited for ages to comment on this program, and felt it was about time some justice was done to it. This is one of Christie's darker, more sinister, and engaging works; not simply someone being killed for money. This is a dark and thoroughly engaging tale of mystery, intrigue, love, and murder, made all the better by the amendments made by the adaptor.

The level of acting is utterly superb; Joan Hickson is sublime in the part, as always! The rest of the cast, including the likes of Liz Fraser, Anna Cropper, and Helen Cherry, all perform beautifully; but in my opinion, the show is stolen by Margaret Tyzack. The closing scene between her and Joan Hickson is simply magical; the acting is as good as it gets: chilling, moving, and totally brilliant. The performances are incredibly sincere.

Please let me know if you agree with my words. I find it quite sad that ITV made such a hash of their adaptation with Geraldine McEwan. The story is such a strong one; they butchered it, by making it unrecognisable.

10/10.

I give this a 10 out of 10, not because the plot was hard to uncover because it wasn't... but because it leaves one caring for the characters. The acting, by all the cast, is superb, especially Joan Hickson, and it's a marvellous episode because of it's heart.

Miss Marple is called upon by Jason Rafiel's dying request to investigate, and solve, a murder that happened some seven or eight years previously, and she has to discover who, why and when as she goes along. Mr Rafiel is the same Rafiel as was in A Caribbean Mystery and so there is a sense of a connection here.

Nemesis is definitely one for the amateur psychologists among us, and if you are one of those who is only happy with lots of blood, guts and rip-roaring action sequences, then you won't like it. But if you are like me, one who loves knowing about PEOPLE and discovering what makes them tick, then Nemesis is the one for you.

Joan Hickson as Miss Marple is simply the best. I certainly understand why Agatha Christie herself wanted Hickson to play Miss Marple. (she once said to Hickson that she would be perfect for the role). Years later, and after Christies death, her wish came true.

In this TV movie, and all the others Joan Hickson portraits Miss Marple in a wisdom, and quit way. She is intense and alert in the role, but also withdrawn and quiet.

This is one of my all time favorite films based on the great Agatha Christies novels. The story builds up the suspense, and there are a great set of characters. The evil is hard to find, and Miss Marple really has a tough time figuring out whats going on.

If you would like to see an older adaption of this kind of play, try out this one first. If you like top crime-stories, you won't be disappointed. They don't make them like this anymore.

Joan Hickson is at her peak in her portrayal of Agatha Christie's amateur detective character Miss Jane Marple. The title "Nemesis" is the key to the way in which the character is presented: Miss Marple, despite her appearance as a rather confused spinster, is in fact, a relentless avenger of a long-forgotten murder. She seeks justice, despite where the results may lead, on behalf of an old friendship. Hickson depicts Miss Marple as an unyielding force; far from the doddering old lady she might seem on the surface. The best version of Miss Marple, bar none.

What often gets overlooked in Agatha Christie's stories is her progressive, anti-conservative attitude on a number of issues - from the role of women to the effects of tradition to people's belief in the supernatural. In "Nemesis", you can spot a lot of those subtexts - but you can also find a good old-fashioned intriguing mystery that keeps you in the dark for most of its length. Also lifting "Nemesis" above other series entries ("They Do It With Mirrors", "4:50 From Paddington", etc.), is the fact that in the crucial moments before and after the revelation of the killer you can actually feel the suspense. And finally, Jane Booker is welcome to guard my body any time. (***)

While not quite as good as A Murder is Announced, which was not only delightful but almost surpassed the book, this is an excellent adaptation. And you know what, it is a huge improvement on the Geraldine McEwan version. Now I don't take pride in bad mouthing the Geraldine McEwan adaptations, two or three of them were surprisingly good, but others started off well but ruined by either a poor script, a confusing final solution or both. The Geraldine McEwan version suffered from a plodding pace, and both of the above problems, and I would consider second worst of the ITV adaptations, worst being Sittaford Mystery, which even on its own merits turned out dull and confusing. This adaptation of the book Nemesis is a huge improvement, it not only respects the book, despite a few liberties, but it pretty much rectifies the problems the ITV version had. Despite the added character of Lionel coming across as rather irritating, more to do with how he was written than how he was acted, and one or two moments of sluggish pacing, this is solid as an adaptation of a decent book. It is beautifully filmed, with nice photography and period detail, and the music as always is excellent. The performances are wonderful this time around, and make the most of an in general well-done script, with Joan Hickson brilliant as always as Miss Marple, and solid turns from Liz Fraser, Helen Cherry, Joanna Hole and Anna Cropper. Margaret Tyzack is outstanding though in a chilling and moving performance as Clothilde. Overall, well worth watching, better than the recent version in pretty much all departments. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Nemesis follows a similar pattern to Sleeping Murder in that the story involves trying to find out the facts of a long ago murder, picking up clues along the way - in other words, we play detective with Miss Marple. For her, however, it all begins so mysteriously. It starts with the imminent death of Jason Rafiel, a wealthy man Miss Marple befriended on another case (which, inexplicably, wasn't made until 2 years later!), but who is now dying of throat cancer. Aching with sadness and regret, Frank Gatliff only has 5 minutes screen time as Jason Rafiel, but he is superb, adding such nuance to the role, and my only regret is that he wasn't cast when the character returned in A Caribbean Mystery in 1989. When Jane Marple reads of his death in the papers she is naturally shocked, but then receives a further surprise when she gets a letter from his solicitors, who explain Rafiel wanted her to look into a crime that took place some years ago. What that crime was they do not know, but Rafiel has also arranged her to go on a coach trip on a tour of Stately Homes with a group of other people, where if she is successful she will inherit £20,000.

All very mysterious, and with so few clues it's more like a mystery tour for Miss Marple - and for us. There are a unusual mixture of passengers, but one that catches her eye is retired schoolteacher Miss Temple (Helen Cherry), who after meeting during a tour of the gardens relays to her the story of a former pupil of hers, Verity Hunt, who was engaged to Jason Rafiel's son Michael, but ended up murdered. Later she receives a vist from Lavinia Glynne (Valerie Lush), who informs her that Rafiel wrote to her and her sisters to offer accomodation for her, and when she learns that they were the guardians who brought up Verity she is certain it is this crime Rafiel wanted investigating. His son Michael was arrested but never charged with Verity's murder, and now he wanders as a down and out. But is her job to exonerate him or convict him? For if he didn't do it, then the culprit must be lurking among the villagers or the passengers on the coach tour.

One thing Nemesis does well is conjour up a sense of foreboding, as so many of the suspects have a sense of menace to them. From seemingly harmless looking Professor Wanstead (John Horsley), and the sharply dressed female duo Miss Cooke and Miss Barrow (Jane Booker and Alison Skilbeck), to the eerily odd Bradbury Scott sisters Clothilde and Anthea (Margaret Tyzack and Anna Cropper), who still live in their rambling old house cut off from the world, everyone seems to be a threat in some unexplained way. When Lavinia Glynne turns up to offer Miss Marple accomodation, Valerie Lush conjours up such a unsettling presence even when being pleasant that your first thought is for Miss Marple to run for the hills! It isn't helped that Miss Marple has been lumbered with her nephew Lionel (Peter Tilbury) on the tour after he was kicked out by his wife, and who is so bumbling you feel he would of handed her over to a group of satanists if they had knocked on the hotel door and asked for her! He is little more than a irritation to the story and eventually Miss Marple sends him off to hunt down Michael Rafiel among the down and outs - presumably just to get him out from under her feet!

There's a real sense of melancholy that runs through this mystery. It has to be said that Nemesis is not a particularly eventful mystery, and it's pace can be somewhat slow at times. But it's interest is more in human emotion, as Miss Marple goes about uncovering the life and personality of the dead girl Verity Hunt, the feel of so much promise brutally cut down and how her death still affects so many people even now. And it is in this that it is particularly effective. There is a memorable scene involving Liz Fraser as the mother of another girl who disappeared around the same time as Verity being questioned. It's a beautifully played scene, as Fraser looks back on her memories not just of Verity but of her own daughter, while showing the devastation her disappearance has had on her life. Fraser is remarkably affecting, and demonstrates that she was more than just a cheery blonde bombshell of British comedy films. But she is not the only one who gives a good performance.

Chief among the plaudits is Helen Cherry as the retired school mistress Miss Temple, who holds the key to the whole mystery. She is magnetic in the role, giving a beautifully judged performance that is both gentle and wistful, with an authority about her character that just draws your attention without being showy. It's a wonderful performance, but matching her in different ways are Margaret Tyzack and Anna Cropper as the Bradbury-Scott sisters. While Cropper does well as the hysterical nervous wreck that is Anthea, Tyzack is even better as Clothilde, with a character that can range from seemingly sinister to touchingly sympathetic, with both sisters still haunted by the death of Verity. Even the seemingly lesser characters make an impact, from cheery, clipped, slightly dippy tour guide Madge (Joanna Hole) to Peter Copley in a small role as Archdeacon Brabazon that radiates goodness. But even of more interest are the characters Miss Cooke and Miss Barrow, played by Jane Booker and Alison Skilbeck. They are strangely ambiguous in this mystery in so many ways. Smartly suited and polite, it's hard to know for much of this whodunnit whether they are a friend or foe to Miss Marple, as they act so mysteriously. But equally of interest is the inference throughout that they are a lesbian couple. Although it's still done in a subtle way, it's clearly implied that they are a couple, not least the scene when they are searching for Miss Marple on their motorbike and Booker's character lovingly wraps her arms around Skilbeck's waist before driving off. It's a lovely and surprisingly bold touch for a Miss Marple without being overtly obvious about it, but it's clear all the same which way these ladies are inclined.

As with so much of this mystery there is a sense of foreboding as it nears it's conclusion, culminating in a memorable climax where Miss Marple, seemingly alone and defenceless, looks genuinely vulnerable to a threat to her life. It's a superbly handled scene, and it's denouement is as shocking, moving and as creepy in equal measure. There are flaws to this adaptation. The scenes involving Michael Rafiel (Bruce Payne) and the search for him feel more like a diversion from the actual mystery, while his makeover at the end are one of the few times when someone has looked better as a tramp than being done up. One thing that does work better from the 1971 book is by it being set in the 1950's. Unlike the previous mystery At Bertram's Hotel, it's 1950's setting actually add to it's eeriness and sense of isolation in the village, or how it would of seemed to the dead girl. It may be slow paced, but as a human drama and a study of human psychology it remains a fascinating watch. It's not as outstanding as many reviews on here have claimed, but as a mystery it is as absorbing as it is human.

7/10 - not my favorite Marple, but still definitely an intriguing mystery acted by Joan Hickson and a great ensemble

This brilliantly done Agatha Christie is by far the best Miss Marple movie. I enjoyed it better than the Book, at least the movie was easier to understand than the book. Joan Hickson is excellent, the only Miss Marple. Very strong performances by Peter Tilbury, Margaret Tyzack, Helen Cherry, and John Horsley. This is an excellent video, no Agatha Christie fan should miss this.

The BBC Miss Marple series is a masterpiece. This episode, based on one of Christie's best books however stands out. Joan Hickson at her peak, but it is a scene with Liz Frazer that I think is one of the singularly best acting performances I've ever seen. She delivers every possible emotion, in close up, with such genuine feeling and skill it is really quite outstanding. If you are going to watch one of these, watch Nemesis. The plot is intricate, it is supremely clever and the performances are first class. Sit back and enjoy the genius of Agatha Christie, the production values of the BBC and the best of British actors.

The Rafaels house is actually Benham Valence near Newbury, Bucks. Which was in the process of being restored to its full glory by Norsk Data Ltd. Who purchased it as their UK head office during the 1980's (and who I was working for at the time). I have always admired Joan Hickson in the role of Miss Marple in this series and was disappointed that she didn't receive more accolades for her work.

I first saw it in its American premiere, and it is excellent in all its elements. Don't let the naysayers dissuade you; anyone who fails to succumb to its many virtues suffers from a lack of imagination (among other things.)

Joan Hickson knew how to play Marple, but had no control of script, driector, camera - and these three key elements of NEMESIS downright dowdy. Split into two episodes, to make room for endless vintage cars arriving and departing, a palatial house and grounds, and various hotel diningrooms - this metaphysical mystery drags and droops until the very end.

Written when she was 80, this is not Agatha's finest hour, or is it? The novel is discursive, ephemeral, wispy, a thing of veils, but the core story of perverse female attachment is a well-known Christie trope. This book, like Shakespeare's Tempest, clamors for a genuinely surreal touch. Instead, the players are rather lumpen, because the script and framing of shots is utterly uninspired.

The end is delicious, but you'll have to wait forever for it. Definitely read first A CARIBBEAN MYSTERY, then its sequel, NEMESIS, so you know what the hell's going on.

I have been an avid fan of Agatha Christie's writing since childhood and in particular of Miss Marple. Only one actor has ever been able to capture the character that was written, as it was written, and that is Joan Hickson OBE. Her portrayal brings to life the character that Christie wrote - a gossipy, older village lady who happens to have a brilliant deductive mind. In Nemesis, we see how Christie pays homage to her creation in creating an unsolved murder for her to resolve after many years have past. It is a masterpiece of writing, portrayed by a master actor. It is time for the BBC to re-master this masterpiece!!!!! Any actor considering playing the part should review Joan Hickson first.

Joan Hickson is the perfect Miss Marple. Subsequent actresses who play this role are very good, but haven't the gravitas that Hickson brings. She is very old, and looks it, but is also very observant and always figures out the perp in the end, after several deaths, of course. Also the settings in this particular series of Miss Marple are vintage.

Nearly 35 years later and after repeated viewings this is still a brilliant, timeless drama, Joan Hickson's performances as Miss Marple in all of the series are just perfect, but this one is the pick of the bunch. You get the usual suspense, red herrings, twists and turns you expect from Agatha Christie but this particular story also has a strong emotional dimension. Wonderful escapism to watch over and over again, the BBC at it's best.

After watching Nemesis many times I finally decided to read my first Agatha Christie novel! I always thought Christie was the perfect source for screen entertainment and I restricted myself to TV and fiilms which I loved.

(Some slight spoilers here) Of course I enjoyed the book but not as much as I expected, it does meander at times with a few irrelevant characters. Staying 90% faithful and maintaining the essence of the book a number of small changes were made by the BBC which actually improved the story, particularly having Michael never charged with the murder whereas in the book he is in jail, convicted on rather dubious circumstantial evidence. The first death in the modern day story benefits from being changed to a more believable incident. Liz Fraser's incredible performance in the memorable scene as Nora's mother doesn't appear in the book, another excellent choice. Miss Temple doesn't send a letter to Clotilde in the book and this works well in this production, similarly the addition of Jane's visit to Verity's uncared for grave. For some reason the Archdeacon arrives from Australia in this production, in the book he lives within 60 miles!

A few of the irrelevant characters on the tour are sensibly written out by the BBC but the one questionable change is the addition of Jane's Godson Lionel, she needed someone to help and share her thoughts (there is no Inspector Slack or equivalent here) but a more expanded role for Professor Wanstead would have worked better. Overall a great story, well told with excellent performances.

In the mid to late1980s this series of Agatha Christie adaptations was a weekly must watch for all the family. They've been repeated on television over the years but revisiting the entire series on DVD over the last few weeks has been one of the joys of our lockdown lives. They have reminded me of just what a wonderful actress Joan Hickson was. If I had to name my favourite performance by any actor in any television programme or film over the decades, it would be Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. It's difficult to pick a favourite episode because Hickson delivers deliciously chillingly and memorable lines in all of them, but 'Nemesis' is near the top.

The character of Jason Rafiel appears in another of the adaptations, and from the point of view of the chronology of his character, 'A Caribbean mystery' should precede 'Nemesis', but 'Nemesis' was filmed and televised first.

Throughout the series there are a few performances which are a little off key, but Joan Hickson's isn't one of them. She's just fantastic in the role. And in 'Nemesis' you have the bonus of a tip top cameo from another fine British actress, Liz Fraser. She is heart-breakingly good as the grieving mother of a missing teenager.

If you've never seen this early series of the Miss Marple stories, do yourselves a favour and start watching now.