“No Agatha Christie story has ever been made into a better movie than this one. The movie has the altered ending from the book (which I’m told was changed by Christie for the stage version because let’s face it. The book’s ending would never *ever* work in a dramatized setting, film or stage) and the character of Tony Marston has become a Russian prince to accommodate the casting of Mischa Auer, but apart from that Christie’s book has been flawlessly translated right down to the last detail.

The look, the settings, the characters, all of it is just right. There are also some wonderfully comedic performances that veer into some delicious black comedy at times (my favorite being Louis Hayward’s bemused response to Roland Young’s bumbling deductions: “And then he takes the chopper and splits open his own cranium. Fact. I’d like to see you do that yourself.”) About the only casting flaw is June Duprez, who is woefully bland and dull as Vera Claythorne, the lead female character.”

I liked this review until the bit about June Duprez … she played the slightly dazed but not incompetent female protagonist and was excellent imho … and I really liked the ending.

Which was the best version of the story? Including the book? Frankly, this was the most atmospheric to my mind, loved the way they dressed, it had that 40s “niceness” to it, despite the macabre story … my vote’s for this one.

Ladies and gentlemen, there’ll now be a short hiatus until early evening. Enjoy.