Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 1 |  | Directors: Andy Wilson, Charles Palmer, John Strickland
Actors: Geraldine McEwan, Ian Richardson, Tara Fitzgerald, Jamie Theakston, Giles Oldershaw
Studio: Acorn Media
Category: DVD
Buy New: $32.99
as of 11/22/2009 06:26 CST details
New (22) Used (9) from $26.79
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  78 reviews
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 376 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.5 x 2.4
MPN: ACRDAMP7648D
ISBN: 1569387648
UPC: 054961764891
EAN: 9781569387641
Theatrical Release Date: January 2, 2005
Release Date: May 24, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Studio: Acorn Media Release Date: 05/24/2005 Run time: 376 minutes
Amazon.com
Miss Marple is back, and what an invigorating, happy experience this quartet of British television productions is for both mystery fans and casual viewers. The luminous Geraldine McEwan (Vanity Fair), following in the footsteps of Helen Hayes, Angela Lansbury, Margaret Rutherford, and others, essays Agatha Christie's aging, amateur sleuth as a discreet observer, knowing friend, and judicious dispenser of wisdom during murder investigations. But what really makes these crisp adaptations a delight is the endless parade of familiar actors playing those numerous suspects, baffled police, and innocent observers who routinely populate Christie's glossy, whodunit landscapes. It's hard not to be dazzled by supporting casts that include Tara Fitzgerald, Robert Powell, Simon Callow, Joanna Lumley, Ian Richardson, Jane Asher, Miriam Margolyes, Tim McInnerny, Herbert Lom, and Jenny Agutter, all nestled into gorgeous, post-World War II backdrops, usually in the English countryside. This boxed set includes "The Murder at the Vicarage," based on Christie's 1930 book about the killing of one hugely unlikable Colonel Protheroe (Derek Jacobi) in Jane Marple's pretty home village of St. Mary Mead. Typically, there is no end of likely suspects, but what makes the investigation unusual is a pair of competing confessions from two illicit lovers (Jason Flemyng, Janet McTeer). Stephen Tompkinson (Ballykissangel) is very good as a police inspector who slowly develops admiration for Miss Marple's keen mind. "The Body in the Library" finds Marple aiding the brassy Dolly Bantry (Lumley) after the latter finds the body of an unknown woman in her library. Callow is wonderful as another cop who initially underestimates the heroine's gifts. "A Murder Is Announced," in which a killing is advertised before it happens, and "4:50 from Paddington," about a murder without a body, round out the set with imaginative plots and memorable performances. Don't miss the special featurette in which McEwan and others talk about the endless appeal of Miss Marple. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 78
 I LOVED this series especially Geraldine McEwan July 22, 2009
Kendall Baum
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I must admit I had never watched any adaptation of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Series. In fact I had never read any of her stories. I just happened to catch one on PBS and I was instantly hooked. I have watched all of them and been inspired to read the books.
I was particularly impressed with Geraldine McEwan's performance. I just adore her interpretation of Miss Marple. I love to curl up on my couch with hot cocoa and watch the different episodes. My only complaint is that I have now seen them all. Fortunately, I still have a couple of books left to read.
I tried watching the earlier series and just did not feel the same connection. I can see how it might be easy to become attached to one's own idea of who one believes Miss Marple to be. It seems that once that initial idea is formed it is hard to accept something different. Maybe that is at least in part responsible for all of the criticism. Since I had not read the books, Miss Marple is Geraldine McEwan to me. And I believe this has definitely made the books so appealing for me.
I am shocked at the number of the negative reviews. I hope the die-hard Christie fans can at least appreciate that Geraldine's performance introduced me to the sharp wit and wondrous world of Miss Jane Marple.
Geraldine McEwan is a superb Marple July 10, 2009
B. Sloane (Los Angeles, CA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I've watched several episodes featuring both Miss Marples (Joan Hickson and Geraldine McEwan). Ms. Hickson might be closer in age and deportment to the book version of Miss Marple, but she is very bland on TV and doesn't give the emotional weight to the story that McEwan does. And while the Hickson versions may be more faithful to the original story, that's not always a plus. In "At Bertram's Hotel", the McEwan version does add a subplot not in the book but it's very well handled and gives a slow story some pizzazz. Also, the production values, directing and editing are superior. The Hickson version features scene after scene of people talking over tea (not very entertainingly) and the casting is frankly second-rate. There's also no contest between the two versions of "The Moving Finger" -- McEwan's version is superior in acting, directing, and dialogue to the slow, uninspired Hickson version.
Normally I'm a stickler for adhering to the source, but there's just no comparison between these two Marples. McEwen is eminently more watchable and her production team is way ahead of Hickson's.
Excellent series! March 3, 2009
Philinda C. Minor
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
I purchased Agatha Christie's Marple: Series 1, 2, and 3, and I couldn't be more pleased! All three were well worth the price, and I would recommend highly each one.
McEwan brings Miss Marple to life! January 24, 2009
Kristin E. Hoeschele
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Geraldine McEwan plays an extremely convincing Miss Marple in this Series 1 collection of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple stories. Her characterization of Marple is a bit more compassionate rather than removed from the characters in the four movies that comprise this collection. Not a one of the films was disappointing! This is a collection that has moved me to purchase the other two sets of McEwan's Miss Marple. Bravo!
 Oh, what "could have been" ! August 3, 2008
Movie fan
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
As a rabid Agatha Christie fan from my youth, I am eager to watch any version of the beloved Miss Marple that I can. Although the BBC version with Joan Hickson is by far the most superior interpretation in keeping the spirit of the books, nonetheless I was eager to see what the new Miss Marple series would bring. I have to say that I am greatly disappointed in these adaptations. Not only does this new Miss Marple have a past that seems inconsistent with the books, the entire storyline is a farce. I was also upset that there is a definite homosexual agenda depicted vividly in several of these movies. Part of the joy of these books and the former movie adaptations for me has been the "whodunit" aspect in the midst of small-town England. The murders themselves were almost secondary to the unfolding of the great insight of Miss Marple unraveling the depths of human iniquity through the prism of her village experience. Regardless of your politics on the matter, to change the stories so completely to reflect violence and homosexuality so vividly is NOT a Marple from Agatha Christie's repertoire. Unfortunately, in spite of some excellent performances, it is a "thumbs down" for me on this series.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 78
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