DVD Review: Agatha Christie's Poirot Fan Favorites Collection

 A collection of Hercule Poirot’s finest investigative moments, Agatha Christie’s Poirot Fan Favorites Collection arrives on DVD on August 5, 2014 from Acorn, an RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) brand. 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 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), Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Barbara Hershey (Black Swan), and Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, The Help). This DVD 3-disc set includes six feature-length mysteries ($39.99, AcornOnline.com). Simultaneously on August 5th, Acorn is releasing a Marple Fan Favorites Collection starring Geraldine McEwan and Julia McKenzie and featuring five of her most popular mysteries ($39.99, AcornOnline.com).

The Poirot Mysteries: 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); and Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Series 1, 1989)

Acorn TV, the premier British TV streaming service in North America, exclusively premieres Agatha Christie’s Poirot’s final episodes in its 25-year run (1989-2014), beginning August 11 at www.Acorn.TV and via its popular Roku channel. Once Curtain: Poirot’s Last Case is added on August 25, Acorn TV will offer all 70 episodes of the iconic series to easily watch anytime.

Street Date: August 5, 2014                         SRP: $39.99  

DVD 3-Disc Set: 6 mysteries on 3 discs; approx. 503 min.; SDH subtitles

UPC 0-54961-8971-9-3          ISBN 978-1-59828-971-8

*This collection was previously released in 2013 as part of a Poirot & Marple Fan Favorites Collection.

RLJ Entertainment owns a 64% share in Agatha Christie Ltd, which manages Christie’s extensive literary works including iconic characters Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. 

My Thoughts

The Poirot Fan Favorites is a must-have for anyone who has followed the series. Though you can find the shows on previously released box sets, it's nice to have some of the best episodes at the tip of your fingers. This set includes six of the all-time best episodes  spanning almost three decades. They include:

Murder on the Orient:  A train gets stuck in a snowstorm and when a murder takes place, only Poirot can find the killer aboard a train filled with rich foreigners and royalty.

Hecule Poirot's Christmas: Even when he goes on holiday Poirot can't get away from murder. While he's away he gets wrapped up in family drama when a son is thought to have murdered in his father.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles: In this feature length episode, Poirot is joined by Hastings.  He's recovering from a war wound when the two team up to solve a murder.

The ABC Murders  : Another episode where Poirot partners with Hastings. A killer taunts Poirot by sending him letters revealing his crimes and  signing them ABC. This serial killer has a plan, and its to get through the whole alphabet before he stops killing.

The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb - One of my personal favorites! An archaeological dig turns deadly and it seems the curse of the pharaoh is coming true. Poirot must look beyond superstition to discover the true villain.
Four & Twenty Blackbrids - Twin brothers quarreling over a model in London both wind up dead in this artistic tale of murder.

With great acting, awesome scenery and mysteries that always keep you guessing, this set of fan favorites in a must-watch. You can order Poirot Fan Favorites on DVD for only $39.99 at Acorn Media or grab a copy of Amazon.