Reviews

This special was loaded with errors of many kinds - some of which were harped on time and again. There is a Latin word (several actually) for volcano - and the people did indeed know what they had in front of them. Not only was Vesuvius celebrated as a deity for its locally recognized role in having its volcanic byproducts enrich the native soil but in August there was a festival celebrating the god Vulcan and his role in bringing them the volcano. Kind of odd to have a festival for something you don't know what it is, isn't it? While some sources tout this I am surprised the BBC would; and seem to also continue the myth that it did not erupt anytime around AD 79 - which it did, and has over 3 dozen times since. There is a difference also between pyroclastic surges and flows; and it was the latter that caused such a problem - in addition to the accompanying ground surges. Certain events surrounding the Pliny family are incorrect as are a few on the circumstances around Pliny the Elder's planned rescue. The aqueduct project was in 1592, not 1594 - a commonly repeated mistake again, but still. And also - while recent evidence is pretty definitive showing the eruption did not happen in August there were a lot of doubts throughout and none of those are mentioned - people are wearing summer clothing instead of the winter ones many were found with. While the costumes and some photography are well done I expected much more from the BBC.

An absolutely stellar cast (Widmark joined the film solely to meet the other actors)is the perfect complement to a film loaded with old school Hollywood glamour. It follows the book's storyline - spoiler - a series of people impacted by a Lindbergh baby esquire murder and ensuing chaos enact a complicated revenge on the man responsible - very well, two exceptions being in character differences to the literary counterparts of Bianchi and Beddoes("Mr. Beddoes," as he insists), and with a minor tweaking to Mrs. Hubbard, who is actually better in the film as an twice wed natural acerbic instead of a smothering mom. Poirot does one of his rare about faces in this story, concluding that justice was done better through his silence. Agatha Christie liked to leave all her hints in the open before the murder(s) was solved. That is the only, unfortunate real problem here. Clues which were subtle in the book are painfully obvious in the film. Persons cringing at Poirot's presence, the shifty eyes, and the worst -a moment where Poirot is made to think the victim is crying out (thus changing the time of death)by one of his murderers. Its a crucial clue lost by its so obviously not being Widmark's voice. But looking past that it is a fine and fitting adaptation, especially the murder scene itself and a touching ending where a self made family toasts in relief.