Miss Marple: The Moving Finger
by Roy Boulting
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Product details
Actor: Deborah Appleby, Elizabeth Counsell, Joan Hickson, Lucy Gleeson, Michael CulverDirector: Roy Boulting
Cinematographer: Ian Hilton
Editor: Graham Walker
Producer: Guy Slater
Writer: Agatha Christie
Writer: Julia Jones
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, NTSC
Running Time: 102 minutes
Release Date: 1997-09-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: A&E Home Video
Studio: A&E Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Miss Marple: The Moving Finger
Movie Review: The MAID did it!! Or did she??
Summary: 5 Stars
+++++
I watched this movie without reading the 1942 Dame Agatha Christie novel that it was based on. (Christie wrote twelve Miss Marple murder mysteries altogether.) I'm glad I did this! Why? Because it forced me to really watch the movie in order to try and deduce who the murderer was.
A series of poison-pen letters (lurid, wicked, untrue letters) is being circulated in an English village. A resident of this village and a friend of Miss Marple calls Miss Marple (the late Joan Hickson) to her home to try and learn the identity of the author of these letters. Miss Marple gets more than she bargains for since a person is found killed with a suicide note being left. Also, a poison-pen letter is found. Eventually another body is discovered. To rule out murder in both cases, Police Superintendent Nash (Geoffrey Davion) is officially called in to investigate. Unofficially Miss Marple investigates.
Who are the people affected by these letters? They are as follows:
1. Gerry Burton, a renter (Andy Bickhell)
2. Joanna Burton, Gerry's sister (Sabina Franklin)
3. Maud Calthrop, a friend of Miss Marple (Dilys Hamlett)
4. Emily Barton, the owner of the estate Gerry and Joanna are renting (Hilary Mason)
5. Partridge, the cook/housekeeper of this estate (Penelope Lee)
6. Beatrice, the estate's maid (Juliet Waley)
7. Mr. Cleat, the estate's gardener (Gordon Rollings)
8. Edward Symmington, the estate owner's lawyer (Michael Culver)
9. Angela Symmington, Edward's wife (Liz Counsell)
10. Ellise Holland, the Symmington's nurse/maid (Imogen Smith)
11. Dr. Owen Griffith (Martin Fisk)
12. Eryl Griffith, Owen's sister (Sandra Payne)
13. Megan Hunter, Edward Symmington's stepdaughter (Debbie Appleby)
Joan Hickson (whom Agatha Christie herself wanted to play Miss Marple) captures the essence of the heroine super sleuth in her performance. (Hickson was 79 years old in this movie!)
This murder mystery is especially good because it's not obvious who the murderer is.
Finally, the cinematography of this movie is good. All costumes are authentic looking. The background music adds to each scene.
In conclusion, this is a fun movie even if you have read the novel it's based on!
(1985; 100 min; made for T.V.; British drama; full screen; color)
+++++
Movie Review: Mrs. Cleat has a nose for the nasty.
Summary: 5 Stars
Naturally, if they kept the subplots and characterization the same as the book, this movie would be a mini series. However they did do a good job of consolidating characters and sticking to the main points of the story. Even if you have read the book you will enjoy watching the movie.One of the plusses of this movie is the character that plays Edward Symmington (Michael Culver.) He is in several other English films and plays Prior Robert in the Brother Cadfael Series.
One of the minuses of this movie is the Lisa Doolittle scene; it is totally out of character for aunt Jane films.
You have the characteristic mystery and the usual (or unusual) suspects. Aunt Jane is confronted with a problem that may snowball into murder if she does not figure it out in time. But as everyone says, "Ask Miss Marple. She usually has the right answer."
Movie Review: Christie At Her Most Entertaining
Summary: 5 Stars
Bravo to the makers of this film, who faithfully adapted Agatha Christie's story to the screen, keeping the plot and characters true to the novel. Joan Hickson is the quintessential Miss Marple and finds herself with an excellent supporting cast that enhances this classic whodunit. A generous helping of romance and two deadly murders make this a most entertaining way to spend two hours. Mystery lovers will be challenged with the unexpected twists and red herrings that made the book so popular. Was it the overzealous sister? the genteel antiques collector? the timid spinster? the glamorous governess? the unhappy stepdaughter who evolves into Cinderella? All is revealed on location in a picturesque English village. Sit back and enjoy!Movie Review: Classic Agatha Christie!
Summary: 5 Stars
Joan Hickson has come to define Miss Marple. Her performances are flawless, entertaining, and blessed with a beautifully subtle humor. The Moving Finger is no exception to this rule. In this installment of the Miss Marple series, Joan Hickson receives the added assistance of an excellent supporting cast. Even those with minor roles do full justice to their parts. This particular Christie mystery offers something for everyone: classical whodunit twists and turns, the transformation of an 'ugly duckling' into a swan, and a touch of heartwarming romance. The interaction between Miss Marple and Inspector Nash is reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes and Scotland Yard's Lestrade, adding yet another dose of deliciously sly British humor to the mix. Fans of the book will be pleased to note that the film remains quite true to the plot and dialogue with only minor exceptions. The Moving Finger is really a must for any mystery film library.
Summary of Miss Marple: The Moving Finger
Joan Hickson stars as Agatha Christie's most beloved character, the prim and proper Miss Marple, in this classic whodunit. A rash of poison pen letters has been causing quite a stir in the quaint village of Lymston. So much so that Maud Calthrop, the vicar's wife, calls in her old friend Miss Marple for help. Miss Marple quickly discovers that Lymston has a wealth of potential cranky correspondents. When the solicitor's wife turns up dead with one of the letters and a suicide note, our heroine's suspicions are aroused. A second death is unmistakably murder, and still the ominous letters keep coming. It seems only Miss Marple can uncover the identity of THE MOVING FINGER.Television Video
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