Cianeto Espumante

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.

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.

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

I never thought I'd see gratuitous (but pretty tasteful) nudity in a Christie adaptation! This TV movie feels like it was the pilot for a series, with the husband and wife team of Colonel Reece (in the original it was Colonel Race and he is unmarried) and Dr. Kendall leading us through an updated version of this story -- but it doesn't appear to have been one. To my mind, the Christie original story had more than enough fascination not to be messed with, but this movie doesn't do a terrible job of making it "2003-y" and plausible for the current day at its time. I found myself actually really liking the two "spies" who were solving the case, entirely unlike the original sleuth Colonel Race. I did not like, however, the transformation of the very interesting Anthony Brown character into the Fizz character (a footballer, which doesn't at all fit with the original story, although the actor is good). Still, it worked in its TV-movie way and the acting is pretty decent throughout. If you are looking for old-fashioned Christie, this is not it. But if you like TV movies from the 2000s that are murder mysteries, you will probably enjoy this one. Cool London locations and some beautiful wardrobe selections, too.

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.