Agatha Christie : Dix brèves rencontres

I've been in an Agatha Christie phase for a bit and remembered having seen this series on TV. It was great because it wasn't the traditional Marple/Poirot/Tommy & Tuppence story, but some of Dame Agatha's lesser known characters. I *really really* wish that this set would come out on DVD because I'd snap it up in an instant.

For those wondering which stories were included in this series, here's the list:

1 The Case of the Middle-Aged Wife

2 In a Glass Darkly

3 The Girl in the Train

4 The Fourth Man

5 The Case Of The Discontented Soldier

6 Magnolia Blossom

7 The Mystery of the Blue Jar

8 The Red Signal

9 Jane in Search of a Job

10 The Manhood Of Edward Robinson

If this ever comes on TV again, enjoy! It's worth watching.

I deem these excellent because I am a thoroughgoing Christie fan who owns all her books and stories (except Hazelmore, aka Sittaford, which dealt heavily in the supernatural unacceptable to me as entertainment). I have also seen a large percentage of the film and TV adaptations and overall appreciate those. With that background, it is a treat to recently find out about this TV series featuring some of the very early short stories, most of which I have read. With the usual English quality dramatization and casting, this proved a very interesting series. As pointed out by another reviewer and from a background special feature in one of the video sets, the "pre-Poirot" stories, as they put it, introducing Miss Lemon and Adriane Oliver was a treat. I also knew from having read these that Christie didn't get around to concentrated full mystery books until later and that she had a sense of humor. This set depicts her earlier period and well, I thought. Overall, a veddy good show.

The only thing that holds this compilation of Agatha Christie's short stories back is the direction. This is very much of its time. There's nothing wrong with it, as such, but it gives most of the stories an aged feel... more so than the period costumes and motor vehicles. A few of the tales would have been stronger had the direction been tighter; others, if the atmosphere had been eerier; and the others, if the tension had been ramped up and the action faster.

On the whole, though, these are enjoyable tales of murder, mystery, the supernatural, and spycraft. They are well worth a watch, especially on a lazy Sunday with a nice cup of tea and a few cucumber sandwiches.

People who complain about the video quality of this series are ignoring the fact that it was made in 1982 for smaller screen television. These are based on hard to find Agatha Christie short stories. They are beautifully scripted and acted, and very much worth watching. People who think they know Agatha Christie's work are in for a pleasant surprise.

Terrible acting, awful dialogue, zero chemistry between actors - this series has it all.

And it isn't just bad in the traditional sense of "not good enough". It's bad as in so terrible that it becomes entertaining to watch.

You either have to be a die-hard Agatha Christie fan to get through these episodes, or somebody with a great sense of humour.