Of course I cannot look into the mind of the series' writers, but I like to think it was a very considerate and safe choice to make "A Pocket full of Rye" the first TV-film of the fourth season of "Agatha Christie's Marple". Why? Because they had to introduce a new actress as Miss Jane Marple. After three seasons and twelve episodes, Julia McKenzie replaces Geraldine McEwan as the nosy but observative crime-solving spinster from St. Mary Mead, and the two actresses are very different. For starters, McKenzie is ten years younger, she investigates more actively, and her body language is quite opposite.
Now, since the very first film already, the series sparked controversy, mostly because the writers often made significant changes to Agatha Christie's original stories. Many of adaptations aren't even based on Miss Marple stories to begin with! "A Pocket Full of Rye", however, is a very faithful to the original Christie novel. There aren't any vital changes (regarding, for example, the murderer's identity or motivations) and it is a "real" Marple whodunit. That's why I think it was a wise and well-considered choice to kick off with a new actress.
The story itself, I personally find one of the weaker Agatha Christie mysteries. It has a good and traditional set up, with the murder of a wealthy but obnoxious patriarch and rest of the greedy family members - each of which with their own motives to kill - gathering at the estate. So far so good, but the characters are less intriguing than usually, and the denouement is a bit underwhelming. Pure personally, I prefer the style and charisma of McEwan as Miss Marple, but McKenzie certainly gives a respectable depiction as well.
Now, since the very first film already, the series sparked controversy, mostly because the writers often made significant changes to Agatha Christie's original stories. Many of adaptations aren't even based on Miss Marple stories to begin with! "A Pocket Full of Rye", however, is a very faithful to the original Christie novel. There aren't any vital changes (regarding, for example, the murderer's identity or motivations) and it is a "real" Marple whodunit. That's why I think it was a wise and well-considered choice to kick off with a new actress.
The story itself, I personally find one of the weaker Agatha Christie mysteries. It has a good and traditional set up, with the murder of a wealthy but obnoxious patriarch and rest of the greedy family members - each of which with their own motives to kill - gathering at the estate. So far so good, but the characters are less intriguing than usually, and the denouement is a bit underwhelming. Pure personally, I prefer the style and charisma of McEwan as Miss Marple, but McKenzie certainly gives a respectable depiction as well.