I hadn't read the original book before watching this film, as many commentators here seem to have done. All in all it was thoroughly enjoyable, buoyed by sumptuous costumes, clues (both red herrings and the real thing) pointing to the murderer and great performances.
Liberties are, with good reason, taken with adapting the Poirot books for television. Most achieve their purpose; a couple fall flat. But for me, the story is very well told throughout - if you don't mind a substantially different ending to the book.
There are one or two scenes/ story strands which, with hindsight, bathe the murderer's identity with a white glow. Of course I missed these clues completely, but the best of the Poirots contain such devices. I would count this as a top notch film.
Liberties are, with good reason, taken with adapting the Poirot books for television. Most achieve their purpose; a couple fall flat. But for me, the story is very well told throughout - if you don't mind a substantially different ending to the book.
There are one or two scenes/ story strands which, with hindsight, bathe the murderer's identity with a white glow. Of course I missed these clues completely, but the best of the Poirots contain such devices. I would count this as a top notch film.