Poirot Set 12 - Suchet IS Poirot!

The Agatha Christie Poirot series was fatefully put to film by the BBC by screenwriter Clive Exton with David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. As anyone who has seen Suchet as Poirot can attest; he was born to play the great Belgian detective! His superb use of his voice, mannerisms and even his "egg shaped head" are nearly exactly as Christie had written the part.

While the series has played out over the years via PBS broadcast and even was shown on A&E channel’s "Mysteries to Die For", it is sadly quite seldom seen on television. Thankfully the entire series has been released on DVD by Acorn Media and A&E. I have found that the A&E DVD versions to be superior to the Acorn DVD releases in terms of sound quality and depth of focus. Sadly, A&E placed its own A&E advertisement at the beginning of its DVD's, which is in my opinion an abomination. Poirot I am sure would find this to be "quite unsatisfactory." It is so sad that after one has purchased a DVD, one must sit through these teaser commercials.

DVD set 12 includes "The King of Clubs", "The Dream", and "The Incredible Theft". The later two of this series are among the best of Poirot.

"The King of Clubs" involves the death of a movie producer. Poirot is on hand to reason the way to a solution with his "little grey cells". I find this episode a little on the dark side, however the solution to the case is a bit unexpected!

"The Dream" is a particularly well done and quite intriguing. It involves the death of a wealthy manufacturer of meat pies. Was it is wife, his daughter? Poirot ultimately gets to the bottom of the case by looking to the unpleasant view of the victims window.

"The Incredible Theft" is a pre world war two tale of secret plane plans and their theft possibly to the Germans. Poirot's ever patient and amiable assistant, Captain Hastings aids Poirot by providing the transportation during a car chase to locate the missing plans.

Overall this is a fine example of the Poirot series. If you have not viewed these small screen gems, this set may be considered an excellent choice for your first look at David Suchet as Poirot!