8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Beginning with the two-part "Peril at End House", Agatha Christie's brilliant Belgian detective returns for a second series of mysteries in this television adaptation, which originally aired on ITV in the U.K.
Starring: David Suchet, Hugh Fraser (I), Philip Jackson (II), Pauline Moran, David YellandPeriod | 100% |
Mystery | 95% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Thriller | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1, 1.33:1
English: Dolby Digital 2.0 (256 kbps)
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Acorn Media appears to be in a hurry to please fans of Agatha Christie and her famous creation, Hercule Poirot, because they're releasing the second series of David Suchet's Poirot series on Blu-ray day and date with the first. Rather than repeat the series' history and the background of Suchet's definitive incarnation of the unconventional Belgian sleuth, I direct the reader to the review of Series 1. Reflecting the overwhelming success of Poirot, Series 2 went into production almost immediately and aired in the U.K. exactly one year later, from January 7 through March 4, 1990. As if to demonstrate their growing ambition, the series' creators opened with their first effort to adapt a Christie novel, the two-part dramatization of Peril at End House, a twisty saga with even more characters, schemes and misdeeds than a typical episode of Poirot (which is saying a lot). Still, by splitting End House into two individual episodes that could be broadcast separately, complete with a short recap built into the second part (conveyed in a conversation between Poirot and Captain Hastings), the creators hewed to the one-hour formula with which their audience had grown familiar. It was not until later that year, in September 1990, that they attempted a full-length standalone film, based on the novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, with an entirely new format. Styles is sometimes considered part of Series 2, but it's really a world unto itself, and Acorn has chosen to defer its release until March 6, 2012, when it will be included with the Series 3 set of Poirot. The attentive viewer of Series 2 will spot minor adjustments in make-up, cinematography and, and perhaps most importantly, the shaping of roles for supporting characters. Poirot's moustache sits a bit flatter, Captain Hastings is treated more affectionately by Poirot (and, as a consequence, takes more overt ribbing from his old friend), and the rivalry between Poirot and Chief Inspector Japp becomes more of a friendly competition, with Japp's appraisal of the detective's skills maturing from grudging respect to outright admiration. Indeed, at points in Series 2, one can almost see Poirot, Hastings and Japp as a kind of tweedy Three Musketeers (though obviously without the swords). Hastings and Japp may seem too phlegmatic and English for such a comparison, but Poirot has enough panache for all three. What hasn't changed is the seemingly infinite variety of gestures, expressions and intonations with which David Suchet makes Hercule Poirot the most consistently entertaining detective to appear on any screen. (Poirot, of course, would agree completely.) Series 2 had not yet reached some of the darker material that Poirot would explore later in the series, so that here Suchet can concentrate on the character's light-hearted and jocular side. He takes full advantage of every opportunity.
Poirot continued to be shot on 16mm film in these early years, but the attentive viewer will notice minute differences in the photographic technique of Series 2. I would describe the change as "naturalistic". While Agatha Christie's finicky Belgian connoisseur still inhabits a finely wrought Art Deco world (except, of course, when he ventures into criminal environs), it's no longer lit with the same degree of stylized fluorescence displayed in Series 1. The result is a somewhat more realistic texture in skin tones, clothing and surfaces, and this aptly suits the many episodes in Series 2 that take Poirot far afield from his London abode (or from London altogether). With the lighting less harsh, one is sometimes more aware of the softness of the image that results from the lower resolution of 16mm film, but the 1080p, AVC-encoded Blu-ray remains highly detailed, allowing one to appreciate the meticulously designed sets, carefully chosen costumes and elaborate hairstyles of the period (one can be entertained just by counting the ringlets that line Miss Lemon's forehead). The decor of London's Chinatown in "The Lost Mine" or of the small town houses and shops in "The Cornish Mystery" can be seen in their minutia. Colors are vivid, blacks are deep, contrast is appropriate and grain is natural without being exaggerated except in a very occasional shot (pay attention near the end of "The Kidnapped Prime Minister" for several examples, although they go by quickly). Thankfully, even in the few grainy moments, no effort appears to have been made at artificial grain reduction, nor is there any indication of artificial sharpening. No compression or similar artifacts were observed.
As with Series 1, the audio track for Series 2 is mono presented as Dolby Digital 2.0 at a bit rate of 256kbps. When played through a good set of stereo speakers in "direct" mode, the track should provide a wide soundstage, much like a typical theatrical array. When played through a matrix decoder, the two identical channels should collapse to the center speaker of a typical home theater array. Again as with Series 1, the track sounds excellent, despite the lack of lossless encoding. Dialogue is clear, well-articulated and always intelligible (unless, of course, one has a problem with English or Belgian accents, in which case there are optional subtitles). Christopher Gunning's memorable theme, in its many arrangements and variations, plus the incidental music by a revolving team of composers (primarily Richard Hewson), plays tunefully with a pleasant musicality and excellent bass extension. The track may be monaural, but it has real presence.
Other than introductory trailers on disc 1 for Acorn Media, New Tricks and Garrow's Law, no extras are included.
It's clear in this second series of Poirot that the actors, the writers and the entire creative team have settled in with the assurance that comes of public acceptance and knowing they're on the right track. Aware that darker and more disturbing material lay ahead, they took full advantage of these glittering baubles, making light of them as only experts know how. The parrot in "The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim" is a long, precise setup to one of the greatest exchanges between Poirot and Hastings in the entire series (alas, not quotable out of context), and the scenes between Poirot and his tailor, Fingler (Milo Sperber), in "The Kidnapped Prime Minister" are a comic competition between perfectionists. (Fingler claims to have taught Saville Row everything it knows.) The comedy is often more surprising than the criminals, whose machinations have been stolen from Agatha Christie by later writers so often that contemporary viewers can spot them easily. Who cares? Watching Poirot discover them is more fun. Highly recommended.
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