Agatha Christie is one of the most renowned and influential authors of suspense and mystery literature. Her work features detective plots with thought-provoking mysteries and investigations into crimes and murders marked by surprising twists.
In addition to success, Christie’s stories have everything to do with the audiovisual. For this reason, some of her works have come to life on cinema and television screens. Below, we list 10 adaptations of her works in films and series to make you discover or become even more interested in the world of mystery of this great author.
Agatha Christie: films and series
A three-episode British miniseries, “And There Was None” is based on the famous mystery novel of the same name, which is one of the best-selling literary works of all time.
The plot follows a group of ten people who receive an invitation to spend a weekend on an island. However, they are mysteriously murdered one by one, following the lines of a poem. This triggers a growing climate of tension and suspicion, as whoever is present could be the killer.
The brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot is one of Christie’s most famous characters and stars in many of her works. And the most famous and considered definitive version of the character is the one played by actor David Suchet in the British series “Agatha Christie’s Poirot”.
The series aired from 1989 to 2013 and had 13 seasons, for a total of 70 episodes. In each episode, the plot adapts a novel or short story by Christie that introduces the character Poirot.
Available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
The famous director Sidney Lumet directed this adaptation of “Murder on the Orient Express” with a cast of famous film actors: Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York. Actress Ingrid Bergman won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this film.
Detective Poirot (played by Finney), who was aboard the luxury Orient Express train as a passenger, investigates a murder that occurred on board. During his investigation, he discovers that many passengers had reasons for wanting the victim’s death.
Available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
Directed by John Guillermin, this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name was directed by John Guillermin and features a stellar cast that includes Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, as well as Mia Farrow, Simon MacCorkindale, Maggie Smith, Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis et al.
In the plot, detective Poirot, who is on holiday in Egypt aboard a luxury Nile cruise, investigates the murder of a rich heiress which occurred on board. During his investigations, he stumbles upon a web of lies and new murders.
The actor, director and screenwriter Kenneth Branagh adapted Christie’s Poirot works for the cinema, and he himself starred in his films as the detective. One of his highlights is “A Noite das Bruxas”, an adaptation of the novel “Hallowe’en Party” (which in Brazil is called A Noite das Bruxas).
In the plot, a retired Poirot attends a Halloween seance in Venice and begins an investigation after the murder of one of the participants.
British actor Hugh Laurie, best known for his acclaimed and award-winning role as Dr. Gregory House in the television series “Dr. House,” directs and writes the miniseries “Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?”
The work is an adaptation of Christie’s detective novel of the same name (in Brazil: “Why didn’t they ask Evans?”) and is divided into three parts. The story follows two young people who become involved in an investigation after discovering a man dying.
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The film “The Crooked House” is based on the novel of the same name and features a cast with names such as Max Irons, Glenn Close, Gillian Anderson, Christina Hendricks, Terence Stamp, among others.
In the story, private detective Charles Hayward is called to investigate the murder of the father of Leonides, a rich and troubled family. The crime took place in the Leonides mansion and Hayward finds himself embroiled in an investigation involving dark secrets and family rivalries.
Available for rental on Amazon Prime Video.
This mystery and comedy film is based on the novel “4.50 from Paddington” (“The Eyewitness to the Crime” in Brazil) by Agatha Christie. This story features another of Christie’s famous characters, the amateur detective Miss Jane Marple, who appears in many of the writer’s novels and short stories.
In the film, actress Margaret Rutherford plays Miss Marple and the plot revolves around her. Miss Marple, an elderly spinster with a passion for mystery books, experiences her first detective adventure when she witnesses a murder on a train and decides to investigate the mystery on her own. From this film came a series of films starring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple.
Curse of the Mirror (1980)
Another story featuring Miss Marple was adapted into a film. “The Curse of the Mirror” is a film directed by Guy Hamilton and this time stars actress Angela Lansbury in the role of the amateur detective. The film is adapted from the novel “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” (“The Curse of the Mirror”, in Brazil).
In her home, the English village of St Mary Mead, Miss Marple investigates a murder by poisoning while a film is being produced there. The film also features an all-star cast, including Tony Curtis, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, Rock Hudson and Geraldine Chaplin.
Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
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This courtroom classic, directed by famed director Billy Wilder, is based on Agatha Christie’s play of the same name. The film features a stellar cast: Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester.
In the plot, Leonard Vole (Power) is accused of killing an elderly woman to obtain her inheritance. At the trial, the main prosecution witness is his wife (Dietrich), who initially testifies against him. However, Vole’s defense lawyer is the wily Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Laughton).
The post Top 10 Films and Series Adapted from Agatha Christie’s Works appeared first on Olhar Digital.
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
