Here we go again! The screenwriters in this "Marple" series just cannot resist trying to improve the non-improvable and failing utterly. When are they going to pay attention to the original Christie plots?
I can accept the replacement of Adriane Oliver by Jane Marple, but the original tale is narrated by Mark Easterbrook an historian (not an artist...that was the Colin Buchanan character in the movie version), and as sarahmarquis has observed Mark plays little part in this TV production.
Once again we are treated to additional characters (and deletion of others), additional subplots (which are either supplied as added and unnecessary red herrings, or for the producers to get the most out of their screenwriter for their money), and a different denouement. Thankfully the original culprit was retained. Notwithstanding, unlike some episodes of this unfortunately dreadful and seemingly endless "Marple" series, the overall plot of this tediously slow paced version of The Pale Horse is actually recognisable to the original Christie novel...but only barely. It's still pretty awful, but I give it an extra star in admiration of those poor suffering actors who managed to stay awake during the making of it. I fell asleep twice in the watching of it.
I can accept the replacement of Adriane Oliver by Jane Marple, but the original tale is narrated by Mark Easterbrook an historian (not an artist...that was the Colin Buchanan character in the movie version), and as sarahmarquis has observed Mark plays little part in this TV production.
Once again we are treated to additional characters (and deletion of others), additional subplots (which are either supplied as added and unnecessary red herrings, or for the producers to get the most out of their screenwriter for their money), and a different denouement. Thankfully the original culprit was retained. Notwithstanding, unlike some episodes of this unfortunately dreadful and seemingly endless "Marple" series, the overall plot of this tediously slow paced version of The Pale Horse is actually recognisable to the original Christie novel...but only barely. It's still pretty awful, but I give it an extra star in admiration of those poor suffering actors who managed to stay awake during the making of it. I fell asleep twice in the watching of it.
