Agatha Christie’s Poirot & Marple: Fan Favorites Collection DVD Review

 Bringing together eleven of Agatha Christie’s most popular mysteries, as voted by the Queen of Crime’s fans, Agatha Christie’s Poirot & Marple: Fan Favorites Collection debuts on DVD from Acorn Media on January 29, 2013 (DVD 6-Disc Set, $99.99, AcornOnline.com). Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple have delighted PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery!  viewers for years with their quick wits and uncanny knack for solving thorny cases. Now, fans can get a double dose of the famous detectives as played by the ever-impressive David Suchet in the role of Poirot, and Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie as the sweet and savvy Miss Marple. When it comes to solving crimes, two heads really are better than one.

Agatha Christie’s beloved Belgian detective is at his very best in this collection of favorite cases chosen by her fans. Resplendent with Art Deco detail, these six episodes from the Masterpiece Mystery! series star David Suchet as Poirot, Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings, Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp, and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon, with guest stars including Eileen Atkins (Doc Martin), Toby Jones (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), David Rintoul (My Week with Marilyn), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Anthony Calf (New Tricks), Barbara Hershey (Black Swan), Donald Sumpter (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), and Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, The Help).

Behind her prim appearance, Miss Marple (played by Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie) hides a sharp mind and keen insight into human nature—all the better to outwit criminals and solve cases that perplex the police. Agatha Christie’s mild-mannered sleuth takes on five complex cases in this collection of favorite episodes from the Masterpiece Mystery! series, chosen by her fans. Guest stars include Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius), Peter Davison (The Last Detective), Francesca Annis (Lillie), Matthew Macfadyen (The Three Musketeers), Rupert Graves (V for Vendetta), Lindsay Duncan (Alice in Wonderland), Hugh Bonneville, and Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous).

Mysteries:

Agatha Christie’s Poirot: Murder on the Orient Express (Series 12, 2010); Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Series 6, 1995); The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Series 3, 1990); The ABC Murders (Series 4, 1992); The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (Series 5, 1993); Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Series 1, 1989)

Agatha Christie’s Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage (Series 1, 2004); A Murder Is Announced (Series 1, 2005); At Bertram’s Hotel (Series 3, 2007); A Pocket Full of Rye (Series 4, 2008); The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (Series 5, 2010)

Street Date: Jan. 29, 2013                            SRP: $99.99

DVD 6-Disc Set: 11 mysteries on 6 discs – Approx. 16 hours – SDH subtitles

Bonus: Booklet with a recipe for “Delicious Death” from A Murder Is Announced 

 My Thoughts

 
I have always been a fan of Agatha Christie. I have read many of her books, even though they would probably be considered "before my time". Most of the copies I have are yellowed with age, but a good story is timeless and Agatha Christie is a writer for all generations. But one thing I didn't know until recently is that Acorn has taken some of her characters and made them into their own television series.  Only the British could find a way to take a classic mystery novel and turn it into an equally entertaining series. And that is exactly what they've done with the Agatha Christie's Poirot and Marple. This DVD set brings you the best of both worlds with the top picks from both series. Its a great way to get familiar or to just enjoy the shows that are already your favorites.

In this box set, the story of the renown  is told in a way that Agatha Christie would be proud off. If you want to take advantage a whole set of great mysteries, this is the series for you. You can order Poirot Series 6 on DVD for only $99.99 at Acorn Media. Series 1-5 are also available for various prices.

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a sample of the product to try in order to write a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***