Sparkling Cyanide

Sparkling Cyanide is a very good story if perhaps not one of Agatha Christie's masterpieces. The 1983 film is dated but there is something enjoyable about it, and while not necessarily a good adaptation The Yellow Iris Poirot mystery was interesting. This modern-day adaptation does look good and while both have given far better performances Oliver Ford-Davies and Pauline Collins try hard, but on the whole is very disappointing. And this is not just as an adaptation, where it is lacking both in detail and spirit to the book, this is on its own terms as well. The rest of the acting is poor(even from a talented actor like Kenneth Cranham who ends up overdoing his gruff patriarch role), nobody really being able to give credibility to their sketchily-written characters, Rosemary faring worst. The script is also very clunky, and the story is often confused, dragged out and flabby with things vaguely mentioned but rarely elaborated upon. The pace just drags with little momentum, I know most Agatha Christie adaptations and books unfold slowly but in a modern setting this approach just doesn't work, and the solution is largely unsatisfying with at least two things that don't make that much sense(that I can't mention really without spoiling it for people). So overall, a modern day Agatha Christie adaptation but without the sparkle. 3/10 Bethany Cox

I love the novel, and I enjoyed this adaptation, the reality is there isn't much similarity, apart from a few names and scenes. The American film adaptation from the 80's was a bit more faithful, this feels more like a complete overhaul. It's a glitzy adaptation, one the Christie purists will hate, those willing to accept changes will enjoy it to some degree.

Davies and Collins do a good job as The Detectives, I particularly liked Lia Williams as Ruth Lessing. Some good scenes, and great costumes, it looks great. I applaud the writers for trying to make it relevant for a current audience, I personally favour them set in their intended eras. The best version to this day remains Yellow Iris, the adaptation featuring David Suchet as Poirot.

This is decent, but it's crying out for a quality remake. 6/10

Just know that this is "based on" an Agatha Christie story, but without the "sparkle" of a real Christie story. Colonel Race is such an interesting character in her books and I can see him being like he was portrayed in this movie, I just wish it hadn't been quite so silly and poorly executed. And why in the world a nude scene had to be thrown in for absolutely no reason is beyond me. What was the purpose of showing Iris throwing off her robe to get into the shower? Just for some titillation? Definitely took a star off for that.

This is no doubt one of the most disastrous Agatha Christie adaptations ever made. Just like the 1980s' US TV movies ("Murder in Three Acts" and "Murder Is Easy" were the worst examples), it simply 'adapts' the action, the characters and everything else to the present, including the most hideous hairstyles and clothes. Not one bit of love or even respect for the First Lady of Crime shows throughout, and there's not even any suspense to speak of - in a murder mystery, if you please! The only ones who make something halfway decent out of this film are the protagonists, Pauline Collins and Oliver Ford Davies - it takes really great actors to deliver such performances in a film like this.

Sparkling Cyanide is an Agatha Christie tale brought into the modern world. Unfortunately this take doesn't quite work. A football chairman's wife is murdered and there are several potential suspects.

Unlike many Agatha Christie adaptations this one has a curious lack of suspense. The characters are mainly lifeless which is surprising given the quality of the cast. This can only be put down to a poor script.

Like another reviewer mentioned, this film could have been done within the hour but is instead dragged out too long. The reveal is no real surprise and all in all I was quite pleased when it ended.

Although not terrible this is a disappointingly dull adaptation. Not recommended unless as a time filler.