Agatha Christie's Miss Marple - Movie Collection

These 4 movies with Margaret Rutherford were my first introduction to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, and they are excellent entertainment with great acting. For this reason I really like them and I think they motivated me to later read the novel "4:50 From Paddington" and subsequently more of Agatha Christie's books. They are not exactly 'comedy' as the covers seem to be indicating, but a slightly humourous & lighter presentation. These are probably best appreciated by those who have not read much of Agatha Christie's works or prefer a lighter, less graphic, presentation of the murder stories. My Dad, who has read all of Agatha Christie's books four times over, doesn't really care for these renditions even though he admits they are well done.British actress Margaret Rutherford stars in these 4 productions, and Stringer Davis, her husband in real life, plays her friend Mr. Stringer. They are a very good twosome and the chemistry and love between them comes across very nicely on film as well. The characters also made a cameo appearance in "The ABC Murders" movie with Tony Randall (although the film was not well done)."Murder She Said" is based on the Miss Marple story "4:50 From Paddington". Although the main plot is the same, the absence of Lucy Eyelesbarrow is most obvious. Instead Miss Marple plays the roles that both Lucy & Mrs. McGillicuddy did in the book. In other words, Miss Marple does everything herself. She witnesses the murder on the train and also becomes the maid at the Crackenthorpe estate. They've also changed characters, such as making the boy Alexander into an eccentric and interesting personality, and taking away his true connection to the family that is presented in the novel. It is interesting that Joan Hickson, who was viewed by others and even Agatha Christie herself as the best Miss Marple, appeared in this film as the other housekeeper, Mrs. Kidder."Murder At the Gallop" is based on the story "After the Funeral" which is a Poirot story. So changing Poirot to Miss Marple, completely changed the premise of the story."Murder Ahoy" is not based on any of Agatha Christie's novels and is an invented story that borrows AC's characters. I think I like this one best of all, perhaps because they are not trying to put a square peg into a round hole."Murder Most Foul" is based on the novel "Mrs. McGuinty's Dead" and I can tell you after reading the book over the summer, that it is not at all like the novel on which it is based.I would definitely recommend these renditions of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. They may not be for purists, but they certainly are enjoyable! They are very suspenseful and you don't know what will happen until the very end. The covers are in colour, but all the movies are black and white. I especially like the fact that they are presented in widescreen. I've been eying these for years as they have been available in Britain, Region 2, for a quite a while. I'm glad that Region 1 can now enjoy these excellent films as well, and that they are so nicely presented in this dvd collection.

The first Agatha Christie novel to be made into a film was "The Secret Adversary," in 1928. This, however, was not a mystery, but a thriller featuring Thomas Beresford and Prudence Cowley, a.k.a. Tommy and Tuppence; produced by a German company, its actual title was "Die Abenteuer Gmbh," which translates to "Adventures, Ltd." In 1931 and 1934, Austin Trevor starred as Hercule Poirot in three films based on Christie works -- two novels and a play. The first screen appearance of Miss Jane Marple had to wait until this quartet of MGM films released from 1961 to 1964.Margaret Rutherford was said to have been described by Agatha Christie as "a fine actress, [but] she bears no resemblance to [my] own idea of Miss Marple." Indeed, the four films bear only a passing resemblance to Agatha Christie works at all.The first, "Murder, She Said," is an adaptation of "4:50 from Paddington," also known as "What Mrs. McGillicuddy Saw!" Miss Rutherford not only plays Mrs. Christie's elderly spinster detective, but also takes over the parts of the story originally given to the elderly Mrs. McGillicuddy and the young Lucy Eylesbarrow. Both "Murder at the Gallop" and "Murder Most Foul" were originally Hercule Poirot mysteries, respectively "Funerals Are Fatal" (a.k.a. "After the Funeral") and "Mrs. McGinty's Dead." The fourth, "Murder Ahoy," has nothing to do with Agatha Christie, save the Miss Marple character -- it was written by David Pursall and Jack Seddon.An entirely new character, "Mr. Stringer," was written into all four as a sort of Watson to Miss Marple's Sherlock; actually, the part was demanded by Margaret Rutherford as a vehicle for her husband, actor Stringer Davis. And some of the actions in the films -- Miss Marple doing the twist (!) in "Murder at the Gallop" and her fencing in "Murder Ahoy" -- are nothing Agatha Christie would have dreamed of.Given all that, are these bad films? Absolutely not -- thanks to the genius of Margaret Rutherford, British comedienne par excellence. In her late 60s when these were made, she is a delight to watch, regardless of whether she is anyone's idea of Miss Marple. (For authenticity, see the BBC productions starring Jane Hickson as Miss Marple ... and incidentally, Miss Hickson has a bit part in "Murder, She Said." Miss Hickson is not THE most authentic Miss Marple, but she is much closer to Agatha Christie's idea of the character.) The plots move quickly, the characterizations are amusing, and the result is a pleasant foursome of light entertainment. They are fun -- just don't expect anything that's true to the originals.

Margaret Rutherford was not Agatha Christie''s favorite Miss Marple - that honor goes to Joan Hickson who is in Murder, She Said, as Mrs. Kidder. But like Peter Ustinov as Poirot, they may not have been the best but they paved the way for early generations to love Christie's characters. Over the years, I have begun to enjoy Rutherford's take on Christie's favorite sleuth. My favorite in this series is Murder Most Foul because of Ron Moody (he plays Fagin in the movie Oliver), and who in this movie plays a stage impresario with all the gusto he can manage (which is always quite a lot) and who makes me laugh even though it is the tenth time I've watched him. He and Margaret Rutherford play off each other beautifully and it's one of those movies where you are saying to yourself 'wait for it', 'wait for it'. Mr. Stringer is Rutherford's real life husband and he is a good foil who worries about her as she barges in 'where angels fear to tread'. Murder at the Gallop is a really good version of one of Christie's best plots - After The Funeral - which has been done numerous times since. But this one shows off a Miss Marple who is not just a spinster who sits at home. She has won trophies in riding as a girl. She is also a golfer in Murder, she said. Is a baker and a reader of detective stories - a much more vigorous woman than the other actresses who follow her (with some exception for Geraldine McEwan). As I get older I have begun to appreciate seeing an older woman going off on her own adventure. The actor who plays the police chief, while frustrated by her antics, is a much more pleasant character than Inspector Slack, and not so grating. Well, I think I'll go and watch these again. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

All excellent movies.

I remember watching these on BBC2 on a Saturday morning as a kid. Forget swap shop, tiswas and gordon the gopher. Margaret Rutherford's Miss Marple ruled.I was concerned about buying this as things from childhood rarely live up to the memory of them, milky bars just aren't the same (yuk), but this set of films is outstanding. It is said that revenge is best served cold, in this case Miss Marple is all the better for being seen fresh after the gap from childhood to adulthood.I never realised that Margaret Rutherford had such great comic timing, and she was so subtle. I love the fact that the fun they had together can be seen in the finished produce, and, of course, look out for Joan Hickson (probably the best Miss Marple of all time) as the muttering part time help at the big house.I can see why Agatha Christie like Margaret Rutherford, she may or may not have liked these versions (depending on who you read) but Christie and Rutherford had one thing in common, an enjoyment of murder mysteries. Rutherford being involved in the investigation of a true life crime.There is one disappointment with this series - why didn't they make more of them. There were four films - there just seemed to be more of them.

Brings back memories of yesteryear, Lovely box set of the adaptations of the original stories.

The movies are on individual diskettes, contained within a single plastic case & housed in a cardboard sleeve. Nice graphics. The only extras are trailers for the four films along with a fifth trailer for another picture directed by George Pollock. The picture and sound quality are excellent. You can only watch the films in wide screen format - there is no option to view in the original "square" format. I noticed minor & rare picture imperfections (that are likely on the master copy) - showing as subtle light flashes and some occasional graininess. Not bad for films that are so old.I love these four films and all of the characters. I particularly like the three actors (Rutherford, Davis & Tingwell) who appear in all of the films. The friendship/relationship between Miss Marple and Mr. Stringer is fun and adorable, adding a personal side to Miss Marple. Their conversations allow her theories & discoveries to be shared with the audience. It is amusing to see these two seniors get into unexpected situations (such as walking along railway tracks dressed as workers, climbing onto the dray to hear the contents of a will and dancing the twist). Who couldn't use a friend like Mr. Stringer (who is always there)? Miss Marple's relationship with Insp. Craddock is warm but sometimes strained.These films are well directed (with good pace) and are visually pleasing - capitalizing on the British country side (and all things British - tea & tweed). Even the story settings are very British - an old manor, a horse riding establishment, the theatre & the navy. Excellent character actors are cast and are fun to watch.It a joy to be in Miss Marple's world and be part of the adventure during these 90 minute films.I am grateful to MGM and Margaret Rutherford for making these four enjoyable films - but I would love to have more, more, more..I had been waiting since January 2017 for a sale on Amazon.ca and lucky I was able to purchase the set on sale on this site in March.

Very very enjoyable. I love the music (by Ron Goodwin if I remember correctly), I find the settings always credible and authentic, in real buildings, etc.. All actors are very good, the scenario very much in the style of the 60s, which is giving it extra character. Margaret Rutherford is totally giving a personal performance, or interpretation of the character. Up till now, my favorite was Joan Hickson, so even while being so different, Rutherford is very good. She is comical!! Actually, the production states that it gives its own interpretation of the novels, and I did not mind it all, because it is still very British and you recognize the stories just the same. It is in black and white, but I got used to it very easily.

I am really impressed with the packaging, it comes in a nice box set very sturdy. The delivery time was very fast I wanted this as a mother’s day gift and it came with in a week of ordering. I have seen 2 of Margaret Rutherford as miss marple I did not realize she did 4. This is a gift for my mom but I plan on enjoying watching these with her😊. The price was very reasonable usually these are highly prices but I could justify paying the amount knowing it was a gift.