Marple (TV Series) Miss Marple: Nemesis (2007) User Reviews

I'm giving it a generous 6

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 4 August 2015]

Having re-watched and re read my review of the 1987 version (or as I call it the proper one) I thought it about time I reviewed this. I stated back in 2007 that I couldn't wait to see this one, oh that hope. I had totally loved Geraldine as Miss M, there was definitely a little twinkle in the eye, she gave some great performances, A murder is announced and The Body in the Library i loved. This version of Nemesis though was not great, a 6/10 rating I think is fairly generous, calling it Nemesis was taking a bit of a liberty, the core of the story was totally lost, it was a pity a Caribbean Mystery hadn't come first to set the scene. It was a really messy script, which was held together by the quality acting and beautiful scenery. Even the wonderful Amanda Burton couldn't save the day, I find it quite an irritating version, the Will Mellor and wife storyline doesn't work, I didn't like the change of the 3 weird sisters into nuns, the whole point of the 3 sisters was the comparison between the 3 witches in Macbeth etc and turning them into 2 nuns did not work. On the plus side it was an attempt to freshen up the script to try something new, and some aspects worked OK, I will add that i think the last 10 minutes are fantastic, it's worth sticking with to get to the finale, the acting is excellent. 6/10 I think the 1987 version is just so good, this was never going to come up to the mark.

Only God Forgives, but only Marple resolves Murder!

[Coventry · 6/10 · 9 January 2021]

The most remarkable thing about this TV-film is probably the name of the director. The undeniably multi-talented Danish prodigy Nicolas Winding Refn had already made a few cult-films before his odd career-detour via "Agatha Christie's Marple", like "Fear X" and the "Pusher" trilogy, but his major breakthrough came right after with first "Bronson", and then of course the Ryan Goslin hits "Drive" and "Only God Forgives". Refn is known and acclaimed for his raw, realistic and nihilistically toned thrillers, so his choice to direct a "Miss Marple" is curious, to say the least.

It's a rarity, but I haven't read the Christie novel on which the episode is based, and neither had I seen a previous TV-adaptation, so I was in for a full surprise! The set-up is quite original. For once, it's not the regular routine of Miss Marple visiting a friend and, all of a sudden, a vile murder gets committed. Instead, it's reminiscent to "And then there were none", with a big of group of people - including Miss Marple and her nephew - receiving tickets for a guided tour where a previously committed crime will gradually become exposed.

So far so good, but regrettably "Nemesis" became one of my least favorite instalments of the three seasons thus far. Strange as it may sound, I don't like it when I can guess the killer's identity, the modus operandi, and his/her motives. Usually, this is never a problem with Agatha Christie, as her plots and denouements are extremely convoluted and surprising, but this one was rather transparent. Maybe I've seen and read too many Christie-stories lately, I don't know.

Reasonably interesting

[grantss · 7/10 · 12 July 2016]

A friend of Miss Marple's, John Rafiel, dies. He leaves Miss Marple with a message that a murder needs to be solved. His only clue - two tickets on a Daffodil coach tour. Accompanied by her nephew, the semi-famous author Raymond West, Miss Marple joins the tour. The other members of the coach party were also invited by Mr Rafiel. Some have links to Mr Rafiel, some not. What do they have in common and who was murdered?

Reasonably interesting. Decent degree of mystery though difficult to work out the murderer on your own - the clues aren't sufficient.

Engagement is limited. Here was a great opportunity to have a great rollicking romp of an episode, due to Richard E Grant playing Raymond West. He does his best to liven things up, Withnail and I style, but his screen time is limited and the sub-plots he is given don't really go anywhere.

Another interesting point from the cast/crew is Nicholas Winding Refn directing the episode. He would go on to direct feature films like Bronson, Drive and Only God Forgives.

Most interesting aspect of the cast is that this was to be Geraldine McEwan's final Miss Marple episode. In the next season she was replaced by Julia McKenzie.

A solid, engaging entry in the series.

[CanadianWunderkind · 9/10 · 23 July 2007]

Having read the message board posts for this program, a lot of people seem to dislike both the new "Marple" adaptations in general, and this episode in particular. However, I am not one of theme. I have never been one to hold up live-action adaptations to their source novels (I haven't even read this Agatha Christie book), and I think thought this episode was very good when viewed independently of the book! Although not the best-ever episode of "Marple" (that honor falls to "A Murder Is Announced", from the first season), "Nemesis" is a very solid, engaging entry in the series.

The basic premise is that a friend of Miss Marple's, Jason Rafiel, dies and leaves her a letter asking her to solve an unspecified crime that has happened, or will happen soon. To this end, he has also left her 2 tickets for a bus tour of the English countryside. So, Miss Marple sets off with her nephew Raymond, but it seems as if all the other bus passengers are connected to one another through a mysterious girl named Verity. It falls to Miss Marple to honor Jason Rafiel's last request, and untangle the secrets that bind everyone together.

Like all other "Marple" episodes, one of the highlights was the performances - "Marple" episodes always feature great British character actors, and this one was no exception. Geraldine McEwan is always excellent; she is by far my favorite Miss Marple (I know many will disagree, but I always found Joan Hickson to be far too cold and unfriendly in the role). Other standouts in this episode were Ruth Wilson, fresh from the recent "Jane Eyre" TV adaptation, as the tour group leader, and Ronni Ancona as the glamorous socialite Amanda Dalrymple. The settings and costumes were also impeccable.

The story itself was also very intriguing, with many secrets from the past being brought to the surface (a very common theme in Agatha Christie's novels). The story did move quite briskly, though, and it was occasionally difficult to keep up with the plot developments. I was watching the episode on tape, though, so it wasn't a big issue for me. I also found the solution to the mystery to be very gratifying, and it completely surprised me! Although I have not read the book, I have heard that this adaptation has taken significant liberties with the plot, so you may wish to 'prepare yourself' if the book is one of your favorites. However, I enjoyed this adaptation a great deal, and I definitely recommend it.

Why is this called Nemises?

[calbandgreat-m · 7/10 · 1 April 2017]

If one takes the show on its own, it is not bad. In fact, it's rather good. But other than the fact that there is a tour bus involved, there is absolutely no resemblance to the book. So, if you are to watch this keep your Agatha Christie predilections behind and think of this as a completely new story, which in fact it is.

haunting,weird,marvelous!!!

[igorlongo · 10/10 · 29 March 2010]

Nemesis is the best movie of this season.A very loose adaptation of the novel,but respecting its basic principles ( the culprit,the motive,the Bonaventure Rock murder,the deceived and angry son,the Rafiel's be-quest for the truth,the final switch of graves....),is directed with great northern style by Winding Refn,giving to the story the weird and haunting flavor of a Karen Blixen's Gothic tale.The script by Churchett is clever,thrilling,highly poetical and subtly menacing.And the acting is really top-notch:Geraldine McEwan shines as a steely and not at all cute Nemesis.If they let her on center stage instead to push her behind the wings ,she's a Great Marple,if a nonconformist one.Amanda Burton is simply perfect.Grant is a wondrous Raymond West,the best incarnation of this character.Dan Stevens is a good improvement on Bruce Payne,in the same role(Payne's beggar sounded quite phony).Cole,Woof and Reid are great.Ruth Wilson is a very promising actress.And Mellor,as a wounded and shell-shocked pilot,is a real discovery.People having disliked this movie are simply showing their prejudice against the series.If you are judging Nemesis as a movie and not as a battle in an unholy crusade against Geraldine and Churchett the Heretics,well, you will watch it with a sort of endless guilty pleasure.This is not Bertram or Sittaford,this is really British TV on its best!

Rather dull and extremely confusing

[reader939729 · 6/10 · 29 July 2007]

My exposure to Miss Marple is strictly through the TV and movie adaptations. I adored Joan Hickson (Agatha Christie's preferred Miss Marple), who somehow was able to pull off a mix of mildly dotty old lady, mysterious Sybil, and avenging angel, all while employing the instincts of a superb detective. The 1987 series also tried to convey a reasonably realistic picture of post-war Britain, which was fascinating.

To me, Geraldine McEwan's Miss Marple strains too hard to be ingratiating (maybe it's the direction).

I've watched a couple of installments from this new Miss Marple series, and I found "Nemesis" to be the most logy and confusing of all.

The supporting performances were very good, but it is a mystery series after all and the only mystery I really cared to have solved was, When is this going to end?

Alteration is Nemesis' middle name. AND IT WORKS! For the most part...

[richardmolenschot · 9/10 · 24 February 2016]

Suspecting this review will not be getting a lot of thumbs up, i want to present a different take on this episode then all the other reviews. Most of them really HATE this adaptation. For plausible reasons: never has an adaptation altered so much from the book as this episode. So if you love the book, you'll be very disappointed watching this episode.

But who really loved the book? To be honest i think the book is a mediocre Christie at its best. Way to many characters that aren't connected to the murder, way to many loose ends and though the idea of a hunt for the truth is a great idea, it's not very excitedly portrayed in the book. And the motive is not really believable, not unless you consider the love for Verity by the murderer a lesbian love. Not saying it's a bad motive either, but it's wobbly. Also consider the lack of clues: there are very few which lead to the discovery of the murderer.

This adaptation makes all a lot of those wrongs right: all characters are connected to the main story line and the road trip is really exciting and the murders get a lot more clues (like the scarecrow, brilliant). So for viewers who do not know the book: it's a fun and exciting ride with a lot of puzzling and great story lines, and thanks to the added clues the audience can actively participate in solving the mystery.

On the downside: some of those new story lines are a bit far fetched, i agree with some of the reviewers. And the motive for the murders itself is still not stronger then the book.

But the episode is a lot more exciting and congruent then the book. For that this adaptation deserves kudos!

Interesting take on an old favourite

[lanimae61 · 7/10 · 3 February 2008]

I'm now used to the new Miss Marple. Others have said that they preferred Margaret Rutherford and Joan Hickson, but they all have a place in each new generation of Christie fans. Though the stories now wander from the original plots somewhat, they make for entertaining viewing in their own right. I always imagined Miss Marple to be a wool-knitting, ruddy cheeked slightly frail old lady. Each new Marple gets further away from that notion, but I for one like a new take on an old theme. The flitting back and forth was no more difficult a theme to follow than the books written many years ago. It just takes a bit of imagination. I love the new slant on the 30' and 40's (and even 50's) through the eyes of the writers of the new screenplays. Modern music and camera work give a fresh face to what is a very old TV-play and book. The only sad thing is that no longer could you imagine seeing movies as plays on the stage, something which was very easy with the old rather over-acted melodramas...

Keep up the good work and I for one will be waiting for the next release! I'm sure Agatha is in the great screening room in the sky loving the fact that her stories live on in the changing media of the 21st century - something she could never have dared to think when she wrote her novels....

Oh dear - pray to St Elspeth!

[Iain-215 · 2/10 · 21 May 2008]

'Nemesis' is one of Christie's last books and by this stage in her career the narrative tended to ramble and there were plot-holes aplenty. That said, the central plot line is sound and many of the characters are well written but it could be argued that any screen adaptation might justify a little 'tinkering'. The BBC tinkered in a good way as part of their Joan Hickson series, retaining the most interesting characters, cutting out the less interesting and tightening the story - it was one of my favourites of the series! As expected by now, the 'new' McEwen version indulges in a great deal more tinkering. Indeed, this film bears very little resemblance at all to the source material. This time the really interesting characters have either been thrown out altogether (Miss Temple, the Professor, the two lady bodyguards) or radically altered (tragically the 3 sisters - now two nuns). Stephen Churchett has retained the duller members of the coach tour but because they don't have much to do in the book, this have given him scope to completely re-write their characters (the Lumleys and the Waddys). Miss Marple's nephew Raymond comes along though he's really not needed (I didn't like the fake nephew Lionel added to the Hickson version either) and Churchett gives us possibly the most irritating made up character ever in Ronni Ancona's screeching Miss Dalrymple (why didn't someone kill her?). There are too many changes to the story to even begin to mention. The sad thing is that this travesty in no way improves upon the original story - it's clunky, dull, improbable and (as always with these new adaptations) packed full of too much incident.

As always with the 'Marple' series it looks wonderful and has the usual starry cast but no-one really shines on this outing. Richard E Grant is always worth watching and so are Amanda Burton and Anne Reid but their talents are terribly wasted here. Geraldine McEwen annoyed me this time and I was extremely irritated at how no-one questioned why both she and Raymond were questioning the suspects along with the plodding, comic policeman. The whole thing shows a tremendous lack of respect for Christie's work. Why bother filming these things if the people making them think that the stories are such rubbish they have to be re-written? I've enjoyed some of these McEwen 'Marples' but not this one - its a stinker!

Nemesis!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[calummccorquodale · 9/10 · 6 October 2014]

Wow!One of the best Marple adaptation of the whole series.

I loved this episode from beginning to end. The concept of the destinations of the coach trip as the setting for the story was ingenious and original, adding some extra excitement to the plot.

Not the most beautify filmed episode admittedly, though I found the overall atmosphere of the movie dark from start to finish giving an anticipated atmosphere throughout.

I thought the murderer's identity and motive was fantastic, however, faced with a rather obvious set of clues such as the strand of straw at the murder scene and the murderer's reaction to the mention of Verity I had guessed and guessed correctly their identity early on.

Anne Reid was perfect as Mother Agnes as was Amanda Burton as Sister Clotilde. Emily Woof and will Mellor fitted nicely as edgy couple Rowena and Martin Waddy with Adrian Rawlins as solicitor Derek Turnbull.

Music was beautiful as always and quite emotional in this episode given the circumstances.

Well filmed, great directing and a good film to relax in front of on a Saturday night and enjoy.

Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 16 July 2011]

I think the idea of the benevolent Miss Marple acting as Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, is an interesting one, and when Geraldine McEwan finally assumes that role the effect is almost chilling - this is probably one of her best performances in the entire series. Another thing I noticed about Geraldine is that her Marple always seems to have good chemistry with her sidekicks (Lucy and Mrs. McGillicuddy in "4:50 From Paddington", Tuppence in "By The Pricking Of My Thumbs", etc.), and the same applies here as well, where we finally get to meet her nephew, the womanizing writer Raymond West (Richard E. Grant); their interplay, as well as that between Raymond and the mysterious tour guide Georgina Barrow (an ideally cast Ruth Wilson), are among the few light moments of this generally dark tale. For all the changes to the plot (some of which, like making virtually everyone on the tour involved with the case of Verity in one way or another, I actually liked), it still remains recognizable; the proof is that I remembered the killer quite clearly from the Joan Hickson film and I was not wrong! The film is slow to get going, and at first it's hard to even keep track of who is who; however, attentive viewers will be rewarded with little clues that are almost literally "hidden in plain sight", if you can spot them. On the whole, not one of the better entries in the series, but it has its moments. **1/2 out of 4.

Absolute filth!!!!!

[man14 · 1/10 · 29 December 2008]

I'm not one of those persons who believe novels should be adapted to the screen faithfully, word for word.Changes have to be made,we're talking of two different mediums of telling a story.But changes apart, the storyline must remain the same;the characters remain the same,the solution to the crime must be the one devised by the novel's author. That just doesn't happens here. Stephen Churchett decided to be original and destroyed one of the best novels AC ever wrote!!!!To turn the three sisters of the novel into nuns?!!!!!!!!!!!!What the hell was he thinking of?!!!!To make Jason Rafiel a German emigrant and his son a German soldier?!!!!Will somebody please tell me what these changes add to the original story?Please?And I'm just touching the surface;there was much,much more to be said about this piece of trash TV,but I won't even bother.AC must be turning in her grave,seeing what they're doing to her work,I promise you!If you can get your hands on the Joan Hickson's version of Nemesis,do yourself a favor and watch that instead. This one is a total waste of time! Just one more thing:Joan Hickson is THE definite Miss Marple.She was absolutely perfect in the part,in the same way that David Suchet is absolutely perfect as Poirot.I already thought Geraldine McEwan was totally wrong as Miss Marple; this film confirmed it. Richard E. Grant and Amanda Burton are the only reason I'm rating this disaster area with 1 star instead of the 0 it would otherwise deserve.

The actors are fantastic.

[springforward · 10/10 · 5 March 2022]

Can never give a poor review where Richard E Grant acts. Agatha Christie only said one should play Miss Marple- Joan Hickson... and she is great in the part... but shouldn't other actresses be given a chance too? I feel it's unfair to not allow the space for these actresses in this series.

The Brits I do feel do the best holding on to authenticity period. But, even the Brits can make something terrible when they don't stay true to making a great production. I do hope they can maintain their quality work through time.

Where's Caribbean Mystery

[katkoot-kate · 6/10 · 28 December 2008]

While I have enjoyed these remakes, I wanted to raise one small point - why wasn't A Caribbean Mystery ever made - this sets up the relationship with Jason Rapheal, a more importantly the reason for naming Jane Marple Nemesis.

When it comes the the Verity Hunt story, I have to say, I prefer the BBC version, as the three sisters concept felt much better than the whole, nazi German and convent concept - but each to their own.

On the whole the story is quite solid, and I love Richard E. Grant as bon vivant Raymond West - so much more entertaining than the dour version from the Beeb. Ronni Ancona, beautiful, talented and a sorely underused actress. It's also nice to see Will Mellor turning his hand to more serious drama - he strikes me as an all rounder.

The cast works well together, Ruth Wilson, Dan Stevens, Laura Kelly and Lee Ingleby round out the relatively new talent from the British stable.

6 out of 10 - if only because I would love to see A Caribbean Mystery.

Nemesis

[coltras35 · 6/10 · 9 August 2023]

A message from a dead acquaintance prompts a bus tour to an unknown crime... In utter disbelief Miss Marple read the letter addressed to her from the recently deceased Mr Rafiel - an acquaintance she had met briefly on her travels. Recognising in Miss Marple a natural flair for justice, Mr Rafiel had left instructions for her to investigate a crime after his death. The only problem was, he had failed to tell her who was involved or where and when the crime had been committed.

Intrigued by Mr Rafiel's request and tempted by the money, Miss Marple decides to accept the mission - and promptly receives an invitation to join a tour of Britain's historic houses and gardens. During the tour she gradually uncovers the details of a crime committed several years earlier and discovers at last what Mr Rafiel wants her to do.

Fairly watchable adaptation with Geraldine McEwan, who continued to put her unique stamp to Miss Marple, nice period details, interesting characters, however it comes across a bit muddled, the execution of the mystery isn't too sharp - I didn't expect it to be on level as the brilliant book, but generally it doesn't quite match it. Richard E Grant was an odd choice for Miss Marple's nephew. He came across as a neurotic rake.

Haven't read the book, but reminded me of...

[safenoe · 7/10 · 3 July 2021]

Pasternak, the first anthology from the 2014 Argentinian movie Wild Tales, came to mind when I watched Nemesis recently, especially with all the characters in Nemesis receiving a bus tour ticket. I was also reminded of And then there were none when the record was dusted off for the guests at the end. I must admit, I haven't read the book, but still Nemesis was worth watching.

Another hatchet job!

[benbrae76 · 2/10 · 5 January 2009]

Once again we are asked to delve into another McEwan/Marple/Christie murder mystery. Except that it isn't a Christie murder mystery. Only the name remains the same to trap unwary viewers. The real mystery is why the trustees of Dame Agatha's estate ever allowed this series to be made by disrespectful butchers. Only "A Murder is Announced" retained some faithful semblance of the original novels.

All filmed interpretations have taken some artistic licence with Christie's mysteries over the years, which is perfectly acceptable to most Christie fans, but none except this Marple series (and the Tony Randall ABC effort) have turned them into unrecognisable farces. And that is most definitely not acceptable. In the various episodes of McEwen/Marple we've been offered, by way of change to the originals, everything including different characters, different plots, different victims, different culprits, added murders, etc., etc., etc., and of course inclusions of Jane Marple into stories in which she was never intended to appear.

"Nemesis" is the last episode in which Geraldine McEwan dons the mantle of the elderly yet intrepid needle-clicking sleuth (we may, I think, be thankful for the omission of "A Caribbean Mystery"), and it once again takes Dame Agatha's wonderful original tale apart, and reconstitutes it into one that makes little sense, logic, or reason, adds, deletes, and changes characters, presents new plot lines and a new conclusion.

I can't detrimentally criticise the performances, I would be wrong to do so, but when a drama is billed as being based on an Agatha Christie novel I expect it to be, and expect to see, just that. Not something that is haphazardly jumbled together by an inferior hack.

What happened to the book?

[michelleeb · 2/10 · 9 January 2010]

It's fairly enjoyable - if you haven't read the book. The only similarity to the actual book is a few names. The plot is different, the period is different, the characters are different. Why bother adapting the Miss Marple (and it should be MISS Marple and not just plain Marple - that's so very rude) books if the adaptors are just going to change everything about them? Why not just write entirely new mysteries, instead of hanging their own stories onto Agatha Christie characters and book titles? If you want to see Miss Marple:Nemesis, try the far superior Joan Hickson version. This version is not an Agatha Christie mystery.

Terribly Disappointing---Horrible Script

[doniejamesqm · 1/10 · 9 September 2007]

This "Nemesis" is one really lousy Miss Marple. I agree that it's garish in the filming and the acting is so over the top it's almost laughable. But this is a series that makes the mistake of taking itself seriously. They make up the actress playing Miss Marple to look like an elderly Kewpie doll. She's also foolish and silly. Hardly believable as a great amateur detective. The plot is even worse. I grew up Catholic and know just who's allowed to put on a nun's habit. Take the character of Verity Hunt.....this chick would never have even been allowed to step into the convent. Quicker than she can turn her head the nun's garb hits the floor and she's horizontal with a German who crashed in the English countryside!! Unbelievable!! Just WHO thinks up this stupid stuff?? and who are they trying to kid? The old gal (Marple) looks like she's way over her head with these mysteries. But that's okay because there's enough actors acting more goofy than her. Well, almost.

I've loved the Miss Marple character for many years and have seen many reincarnations. I think this one hits rock bottom. It's worse than the American versions.

Strangely, I always thought that the British were so good at adapting books to film. As a matter of fact they put us to shame. No longer, however,

An Assault on the Eyes, Ears and Brain

[dozatzz47 · 1/10 · 12 August 2007]

This new Miss Marple must be intended for people who are deaf and absolutely clueless of Agatha Christie's books. Every character, every part of the plot, and the wonderful development of the mystery has been changed. What we get is an extremely loud, garishly filmed (in bright reds, yellows, ....eeek!!), MESS. The main characters of Jason Rafiel and Michael Rafiel have been changed of course. In keeping with this new series, their characters have been changed to make them German! Michael Rafiel's relationship as well as how he met Verity Hunt has been changed also to an untasty dish served cold. Enough to turn the stomach. The "sisters" who are pivotal to the plot, are now nuns.....real sisters in the Catholic Church sense. The wonderful Amanda Burton is such a good actress, but she's totally wasted here as one of the new characters of a Nun. Richard Grant, also a good actor, is also wasted as Miss Marple's nephew, Raymond. They now make Miss Marple's nephew into a comical, silly, womanizer. Gee, I almost forgot to talk about Miss Marple and her role in this dreadful crime (I'm talking about the series). Can you really believe Geraldine McEwan when she states, "I am Nemesis," in this mystery? She twitters, twinkles her eyes and dithers around. It's really hard to pick out the worse of the lot in the new Miss Marple series, but this comes real close. I think "Bertram's Hotel" is the one that disappointed me most since it was my favorite book, with "Nemesis" as second. The scriptwriters, directors, set designers, everyone associated with this lousy series must have absolutely no sense of Christie's work. Believe me, you are NOT getting anything near to her impeccable mysteries.

Laughable plot

[pawebster · 2/10 · 2 January 2009]

Thank goodness this was McEwan's last performance as Miss Marple. Of course Julia MacKenzie won't do much better unless they change the scriptwriters.

As others have noted, the plot of the book goes through not the word processor but the food processor and comes out as an unsavoury mess. It also makes little sense. Why anyone would continue on a coach tour after two deaths is perhaps the greatest mystery in the production - especially as this includes one of the victims' husbands (supposedly so, anyway).

As for the cast staying in a semi-ruined building without electricity and the whole case being entrusted to a detective constable, words fail me.

The acting is OK. Dan Stevens stands out as the German, though his role is stupid. Lee Ingleby, normally excellent, is a let down, especially as his accent wanders up and down the country.

Is This A Parody?

[Jima-36-585491 · 2/10 · 31 December 2020]

Any resemblance between this show and the Agatha Christie novel is purely coincidental. The only common character is Miss Marple. As in the Joan Hickson version, they have a superfluous nephew, who doesn't appear in the novel. Makes me wonder if the writer ever read the novel, but saw the Hickson story and used that as his source. Anyway, the acting is over the top, the story silly.

Very disappointing

[TheLittleSongbird · 4/10 · 7 September 2009]

I did think this was a poor adaptation of the book by Agatha Christie, and I did think it is one of the weaker Marple adaptations. Honestly, sorry but the Joan Hickson version was much better. There is some very nice period detail and some lovely camera-work and costumes, there is some nice music and the supporting performances from Amanda Burton, George Cole and Richard E.Grant were fine. And you are left asking questions throughout, like a whodunit expects you to. However, the story was a mess, it bears little resemblance to the original story, and most of the plot changes were unnecessary. Also I have never quite been convinced by Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, she just isn't my idea of the character. Miss Marple is very clever and very wise, not fussy. That is the main reason why I keep saying see the Joan Hickson versions instead, because Hickson was born for Miss Marple, and her interpretation was the truest to the Marple in the book. The script was quite poor, even for an Agatha Christie adaptation,the pacing was off and I am the only one probably who found the final solution confusing, and there was a lot of overacting going on in some parts. Overall, very disappointing, could have been so much better. 4/10 Bethany Cox

Has anyone involved in the ITV Marple series ever heard of Agatha Christie?

[petehazell · 1/10 · 10 August 2009]

For a series which is rivalling Jacques Cousteau's diving abilities, this one plumbs new depths. It's called Nemesis and it's got a coach in it. That's where the similarities with the novel end. As usual, characters are written in a completely unconvincing manner, nobody reacts naturally to any of the unfolding events and the entire cast seems to be treating the whole affair as if the characters know they are cartoon characters in a cardboard world. Agatha Christie tried to present intriguing puzzles with characters one could believe, and this series delivers on neither front. At least Miss Marple is actually present in the novel which the script-writer may have glimpsed in an airport somewhere - he certainly doesn't appear to have found time to read it.