"The ABC Murders" Episode #1.3 (TV Episode 2018) Poster

(TV Mini Series)

(2018)

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7/10
Episode 3
Prismark103 January 2019
When Hercule tears down the poster put up by the fascists, you know Poirot is back, he is fighting back.

No murderer is going to get one over Poirot. He has been watching, observing and thinking.

The murderer has made a mistake, more importantly Poirot has been examined again the past murders rather than where the murderer will strike next.

Cust chillingly played by Eamon Farren who was also full loopy in series 3 of Twin Peaks was always going to be a patsy.

Inspector Crome and Poirot work well together. As for for Poirot's past, there is evidence of atrocities committed by the Germans when Belgium was invaded by them. Also I have always liked Father Brown.

John Malkovich has said he would only reprise the role if Sara Phelps was to adapt another story. It was never going to be a long running series but a different take on a character, who is old and tired.

It was not as good as the Suchet version. In its own terms it was an enjoyable and thrilling tale.
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9/10
I loved it
Sleepin_Dragon28 December 2018
I truly cannot believe how people haven't at least enjoyed this three part serial. They managed to adapt The ABC Murders, and make it relevant to a 2018 audience, who are used to Peaky Blinders, Luther, Bodyguard etc, and would in all honesty find traditional, straight laced Agatha Christie a little mild.

Hard hitting, definitely, some raunchy scenes, some violent, at times I think the intention was to surprise and shock.

What I loved, pretty much the first forty five minutes of this third part, I loved how the characters were revisited after the conclusion, so often they're just dismissed and forgotten about, that was a nice touch. I truly loved Malkovich's Poirot, such a different take to see him played as a spent force, somewhat of a lost soul. I loved the expansion of Thora Grey's character, it made sense, and I particularly loved the performance of Eamon Farren (ABC) who somehow grew as a character. The scene between Poirot and the killer was also memorable.

I didn't like Poirot's back story, I won't spoil it by commenting on it, but it showed a disregard for the character's past, and seemed out of place. I don't like the fact that I know he won't play Poirot again.... Prove me wrong.

Best thing about Christmas 2018. 9/10
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perfect end, perfect Poirot
Kirpianuscus4 January 2020
A short serie with the perfect end. Proposing the responsability problem about the influence to the behavior of the other and the demons inside us. And sure, it gives the answer, terrible , about the obsessive "They are coming" and the past life of Hercule Poirot. Essential- John Malkovich was the perfect option for this real special Poirot.
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10/10
Outstanding Conclusion
Hitchcoc6 February 2019
Of course, we know things aren't always what they seem in Christie. It has been forever since I read the book, so. Poirot takes us on a merry chase. We know that the smug police detective (Ron Weasley/Harry Potter) is trying to tread water and refuses help. Eventually, we see his adulation. We are also given the explanation of Poroit's past, what led him to carry around so much guilt and cynicism. The conclusion is classic, although we who have read a ton of mystery novels know that someone is trying to dupe us. Well done!
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9/10
John as Poirot very good
ron-wolf6129 December 2018
I loved this series. Won't give any spoilers but it is worth watching!
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C
dbdumonteil14 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This last episode may seem a little muddled , but Phelps found a good way of revealing the truth without using interminable questionings and explanations ;Many people complained about captain Hastings 's absence ,but the story takes place when Poirot was retired ,so his mate had been married (and away) for a long time ; the novel ,using now the narrator,now Hasting's personal narrative,was simplified but the whodunit is faithful like a dog to the book : as usual , Mrs Christie was a past master in the art of using wrong tracks ,red herrings ; one can wonder ,one more time whether the screenwriter made Mr Cust a terminally-ill person,with so much gore.

Poirot's past gets in the way : although we have been given clues all along the movie (the private eye praying Virgin Mary, his impossibility to confess,thus to receive communion) ,if you are to accept the explanation, your disbelief has to be suspended ! Poirot's former occupation would make Mrs Christie turn in her grave .The church in fire might have been inspired by the horrible event which took place in Oradour-Sur-Glane ,France , 1944.These flashbacks are the worst thing (in every sense of the term) in the whole miniseries.

All in all , the miniseries did not deserve catcalls ; in fact , if we do not count Poirot's far-fetched memories ,it succeeds measurably well .Christie's readers are not used to this murky lugubrious atmosphere ;gone are the bonhomie, the conceit and the good humor of their hero who is an aging bitter man whose final triumph does not even seem to bring him solace .Now ,Mrs Phelps , the time is ripe for Poirot's ultimate investigation,told in "curtain" ...
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