TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

Steineded How sad is this?

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Portia Hilton Blistering performances.

Robert J. Maxwell Ustinov, as Poirot, is invited quite casually to a party at a mansion in the country by mystery writer, Jean Stapleton. Nobody ever invites me to a party at a country estate and I've begun to resent it. I'm more handsome than Hercule Poirot, and more charming and witty too, especially when drunk. If you doubt, ask my psychiatrist or any of my ex wives.Peter Ustinov, sadly, looks older and perhaps a bit less vigorous than in his big-screen portrayals like "Death on the Nile" although he was only in his mid-60s. He was an enormously talented man who wrote plays, directed operas, and was chancellor of Durham University from 1992 on. He devoted much of his later years to UNICEF, and not just on ceremonial occasions.Jean Stapleton still looks and sounds like Archie Bunker's wife, but it's largely a comic part and she fits the role. Jonathan Cecil is Captain Hastings. I'm afraid he has the face of one of the seven dwarfs -- I forget which one. Maybe Dopey, if Dopey were caught and stretched while in the embrace of a celestial black hole. It lacks all dignity. You'll see what I mean.There is the usual assembly of guests at the party -- one victim and many suspects. The beautiful but brainless bride of the host is Nicolette Sheridan, who is I gather famous for some reason or other. At any rate, nobody in the movie seems to like her very much. Hubby is the jealous and arrogant Sir George Stubbs, played by Tim Piggot-Smith, whose narrative voice has added euphonious elaborations to several documentary films.One of the sneakier characters in the tale is Jeff Yager as Eddie South, slick, with disgustingly even features,a big yacht, medallions, and a Hollywood hair style with a pompadour up front. It was a disappointment when he didn't turn out to be the killer.Well, actually, there was no single murderer but rather two people who had cooked up an elaborate plot, and there are several red herrings strewn across the path to the solution. Nice photography, though, and scenic location shooting.

TheLittleSongbird I haven't read the book Dead Man's Folly, and this TV movie is the only one of the 6 movies Peter Ustinov did as Poirot, where that is the case. Now Dead Man's Folly I found to be very entertaining, with very good performances and a fine denouncement. However the script was weak and underdeveloped in places, the music didn't really stand out unlike Death On the Nile(the music was absolutely superb in that movie) and I found the overall film to be a tad too broad. I don't think it is as good as Death on the Nile or Evil Under the Sun, which are the best of the Ustinov outings. On a positive note, for a TV movie, it looks beautiful, with wonderful period detail, pleasant scenery and very nice photography. And the clothes were lovely to look at too. The denouncement is very unexpected and cleverly done, and I wouldn't have guessed it in a million years. But what makes the film so enjoyable is the cast. While I still consider David Suchet to be the definitive Poirot, Peter Ustinov was still a joy to behold and is clearly enjoying himself. Jean Stapleton positively brings life to the proceedings as Ariadne Oliver. Both Kenneth Cranham and Tim Piggott-Smith give good performances, if playing it safe. Jonathan Cecil is very entertaining as Hastings and Nicollette Sheridan is lovely as Hattie. But other than Ustinov the standout was indeed Constance Cummings as Amy, a truly delightful performance. All in all, while not the best of the Ustinov Poirot outings, it is a glossy and entertaining one, and actually one of the better ones. 7.5/10 Bethany Cox

Movie_Man 500 Ustinov going thru the motions one time too many as Poirot seems bored here. And adding Hastings to the plot really makes you feel like you're watching a cheap adaption. I loved Stapleton as Edith Bunker but as Miss Oliver the daffy mystery writer, she seems out of place. And by God is the killer easy to spot or what? Nicolette Sheridan gives an awful performance and may hold the title as worst actress ever to star in an Agatha Christie movie. She's really hard to take. Even in silence, which alas is never long enough.

Marta This made-for-TV movie is a good adaptation of Agatha Christie's story of the same name. Peter Ustinov again plays Hercule Poirot with aplomb as he unravels the mystery surrounding the Fair at Nass House and the architectural Folly. Dead bodies begin to pile up and no one is sure who they can trust among the many diverse guests at the Fair.The biggest asset of this film is that it was shot on location in Great Britain at one of the Treasure Houses of England (Wilton House, I believe), which adds greatly to the period feel of the film. If shot anywhere else, it would have been a routine TV movie.None of the performances truly stand out, but everyone plays their part with vigor and conviction. Most of the cast are English and they are much better than the American actors, who seem to be playing stock characters and don't quite fit in. However, it is a pleasant way to spend a few hours and revel in the grandeur of an authentic English estate.