Following the conclusion of the sixth series, BBC acquired the rights for the production of Agatha Christie adaptations, suggesting that ITV would be unable to make a seventh series of Marple.
Unlike the counterpart TV series Agatha Christie’s Poirot, the show took many liberties with Christie’s works, most notably adding Miss Marple’s character to the adaptations of novels in which she never appeared. The title character was played by Geraldine McEwan from the first to the third series, until her retirement from the role, and by Julia McKenzie from the fourth series onwards. ( Chorion/RLJ Entertainment)Īgatha Christie's Marple (or simply Marple) is a British ITV television programme loosely based on the books and short stories by British crime novelist Agatha Christie. Bravo! The only question now is.having loved ITV Marple.Agatha Christie Ltd. Superb performances and a great adaptation. Endless Night - a horribly bleak and disturbing one, but then that's not out of keeping with the book. Not the most memorable or the best though. Greenshaw's Folly - massively convoluted but still good. I think this story works a bit better as a book, but it's certainly a decent film. The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side - one of the very best episodes a true and emotionally heartfelt adaptation of the novel. The Blue Geranium - an effective and highly enjoyable embellishment of the short story. The Secret of Chimneys - despite bearing no resemblance to the novel whatsoever, a truly phenomenal film which ranks very highly. Feild are superb, as well as pretty much every other actor. (That final scene, ridiculous.) The Pale Horse - fantastic! Julia McKenzie and J.J. Why Didn't They Ask Evans? - indefensible. They Do It With Mirrors - not one of the best, although it's not one of the best books either.
Very atmospheric and gripping, just not a standout.
A Pocket Full of Rye - Julia McKenzie shines in her debut, one that translates the novel almost verbatim. (Yes I've read the book.) Ordeal By Innocence - good film, with a brilliant performance from Juliet Stevenson. At Bertram's Hotel - my favourite episode in the whole series. Again, don't care about accuracy, just as a film in its own way it's so weird.maybe this is another I need to watch again. Surprisingly faithful to the source material, even with the addition of Miss Marple. The Moving Finger - brilliant production, one that improves upon the book. Regardless of novelistic accuracy, the film itself is just not great.
The Sittaford Mystery - not the best by a long way. By The Pricking of my Thumbs - Miss Marple meets Tommy and Tuppence! Fantastic, perfect for Halloween, and very funny. A bit of a weird production, with a bizarre addition of a band called the "Funnybones"? Maybe I'll like it on a rewatch. Sleeping Murder - hmm.not one of the best. A Murder is Announced - another wonderful one, with Zoe Wanamaker (or Ariadne Oliver, as I know her) playing Letitia Blacklock. It retains the novel's atmosphere superbly (even after they changed a killer). As I have now finished every single episode, here's a very brief breakdown: The Body in the Library - amazing. Whenever I watch one of them, I think, "no, THIS is the best Marple," and then I change my mind when I watch the other. Geraldine McEwan is our pixie-like, eccentric, but oh-so-loveable Miss Marple (probably the closest to the books) and Julia McKenzie is like your lovely grandma down the road. Every actress brings something different. I loved it when the character was played by Margaret Rutherford in the '60s, as I did when she was played by Angela Lansbury in 'The Mirror Crack'd' (although they are incredibly different interpretations!). Miss Marple generally has been very well-served by performers over the years. Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie are both phenomenal as Miss Marple. They nailed it with David Suchet's Poirot and they nailed it with Miss Marple too. I think it's something of a shame that BBC have regained the rights to her work because ITV and Agatha Christie are a match made in heaven. She is one of the best authors to have ever lived. As Joanna Lumley says in the 'Behind the Scenes on Series 5', as long as people will read and enjoy things, they will read Agatha Christie, and as long as people watch things, they will enjoy productions of her work. 'Agatha Christie's Marple' is a fantastically directed, wonderfully filmed, all-round SUPERB TV series that retains both the atmosphere and irresistible charm of the author's source material, even when it deviates from the strict plots.