Marple: The Moving Finger (2006) (TV)

Director:

Tom Shankland

Writers:

Agatha Christie (novel)
Kevin Elyot (screenplay)

Release Date:

12 February 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

Troubled war veteran Jerry Burton and his sister Emily rent a cottage in a seemingly tranquil English village which is plagued by a spate of poison pen letters... and murder.

Plot Keywords:

Poison Pen Letter | Vicar | War Veteran | Miss Marple | English Village

Cast

Geraldine McEwan	...	Miss Marple
James D'Arcy	...	Jerry Burton
Ken Russell	...	Reverend Caleb Dane Calthrop
Frances de la Tour	...	Mrs. Maud Dane Calthrop
Thelma Barlow	...	Emily Barton
Jessica Hynes	...	Aimee Griffith (as Jessica Stevenson)
Sean Pertwee	...	Dr. Owen Griffith
Imogen Stubbs	...	Mona Symmington
Harry Enfield	...	Richard Symmington
Kelly Brook	...	Elsie Holland
John Sessions	...	Cardew Pye
Rosalind Knight	...	Partridge
Emilia Fox	...	Joanna Burton
Ellen Capron	...	Agnes
Talulah Riley	...	Megan Hunter

Also Known As:

Agatha Christie - Marple: The Moving Finger (Australia) (DVD title)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Chilham Castle, Chilham, Kent, England, UK

Company:

Agatha Christie

Goofs:

Continuity: Mrs. Symmington can be seen quite clearly standing next to her husband attending the funeral for the murdered maid Agnes Brown. Mrs. Symmington was murdered and buried before Agnes Brown. In fact, Agnes attended Mrs. Symmington's funeral.

Quotes:

Jerry Burton: What's that?
Jerry Burton: [He looks at a photograph] Unh!
Emily Barton: It's a photograph of a diseased spleen. Owen gave it to me.
Jerry Burton: Was he out of chocolate?
Emily Barton: He thought I might be interested. I'm not entirely frivolous, you know.
Jerry Burton: Pretty ropey, I thought.
Emily Barton: Hmmmm. There's something on his mind.
Jerry Burton: Yes, a rotting spleen perhaps... or you?

Movie Connections:

Remake of The Moving Finger (1985) (TV)

Forget "Thumbs", Watch "Finger"

"WOW" is the only word to describe this installment. Excellently executed, stunning performances, beautiful scenery, and great costuming.

This is really a cast full of great women. I'll tell you, I had doubts about this one. When I first saw the publicity photos, I thought, "Who's the chick with the red hair?" As I looked closer, I said, "Oh my gosh! What DID they do to Emilia Fox?" However, one gets over seeing her with red hair. Kelly Brook looks as hot as she ever does in 1950s gowns. Talulah Riley is starting to establish a reputation for playing spunky, tomboyish characters. However, in this film she gets to dress up in Audrey Hepburn style clothes. Imogen Stubbs is superbly unpleasant as Mona Symmington. After watching Frances de la Tour, although an odd choice for Maud, one can't imagine any other actress playing the role.

The only two actresses who kind of flop are Jessica Stevenson and Thelma Barlow. Stevenson is very officious and irritating. Thelma Barlow just lacks energy.

As far as the actors go, they're a mixed bunch. James D'Arcy is fantastic in throwing himself into the psychology of the messed up Jerry Burton. Harry Enfield is surprisingly good as Symmington. John Sessions is good, but nothing spectacular. On the other foot, though, Sean Pertwee's stutter is funny at first, but gets old after a while. Ken Russell is funny, but his part is pretty small.

The locations are gorgeous. Chilham in Kent was perfect for Lymstock. The sets are gorgeously decorated. The costumes are fabulous.

As for the plot, the changes are all minor and all work well. Jerry is made alcoholic, but this makes him more of a flawed hero. The new introduction of Miss Marple, attending the funeral of Colonel Appelton, works well, mostly because it keeps alive her former love affair with Captain Ainsworth.

Well done. Kevin, Tom and Matthew! Great job!