![]() An all-star theatrical adaptation of this novel was released from 1980, featuring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple, and including a long list of A-list (at the time) actors. The plot is thought to be based on a real-life tragedy involving Gene Tierney, who, in 1943, contracted German measles while pregnant after a young fan with the disease escaped quarantine to get her autograph. "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side" is adapted from the 1962 novel of the same name, the 8th in the Miss Marple series. There are a few light moments, in particular those involving the young sergeant who accompanies the inspector while he questions the witnesses. ![]() All of the actors do a fine job here, and seem appropriately cast. The episode has a good look to it, with most of the scenes filmed in a grand estate with all the trappings of the rich and famous. There are a lot of speaking parts here, so if you haven't read the book or seen any of the other adaptations, it's certainly not obvious "whodunit" until the very end. This is especially true since she has to filter the information she receives: what's important to one person may not be important to another. Part of the appeal of this episode is how she takes disparate bits of data and rearranges them into a logical sequence. Instead, she gets all her information second hand - sometimes third hand - from those in attendance. She isn't present - she's laid up with a sprained ankle - when a local busybody dies at a gala function held at a manor house recently purchased by a glamorous Hollywood star and her English director husband. Miss Marple initially plays a small role in this episode. She's a little "one note" in her portrayal, often displaying the exact same expression from scene to scene and speaking her lines as if she's said them a hundred times before - unlike McEwan, who was far more animated in her performances. As a prelude to my reviews of the individual episodes, I will say McKenzie makes for an agreeable if not terribly memorable Miss Marple. Somehow, someway, I didn't see any of the three episodes last year in which Julie McKenzie first appeared, so this is my first experience watching her. I am a huge fan of Geraldine McEwan, and was very disappointed she was unable to continue in the role. Miss Jane Marple is played by Julia McKenzie, her second season in the role. I confess I find the labeling of episodes and series and seasons endlessly confusing when British shows are brought over the US. though it wouldn't be the first time that an adaptation of a novel was rewritten to change the lead character). This selection differs slightly from the ITV description of Series 5, which also includes "The Pale Horse" (though this isn't a Miss Marple mystery as written by Agatha Christie, but one that features Ariadne Oliver. The "three new thrilling mysteries" (as proclaimed on the box art) are "The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side", "The Secret of Chimneys", and "The Blue Geranium", which aired on Masterpiece Mystery! earlier this year. ![]() Review: Three episodes comprise Series 5 of Agatha Christie's Marple, which are included on this DVD set that also features a bonus disc titled "Agatha Christie's Garden: Murder and Mystery in Devon", an intimate tour of the writer's most private retreat. Note(s): The screenplays for these three adaptations were based on novels or short stories of the same title by Agatha Christie. Running Time: 267 minutes plus 66 minutes of bonus material Recurring character(s): Miss Jane Marple (Julia McKenzie) Home | About / Policies | Directory of Reviews | Search Agatha Christie: Marple Series 5 Review for the Omnimystery Family of Mystery Websites
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