Agatha Christie's Poirot (TV series 1989– )Dumb Witness (#6.4)
An elderly woman confides to Poirot that she fears one of her relatives is trying to kill her for her money. He persuades her to disinherit her heirs, but she is murdered anyway. Director:Edward BennettOriginal Air Date:31 October 1996 |
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Cast
Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
David Suchet | ... | ||
Hugh Fraser | ... | ||
Ann Morrish | ... |
Emily Arundel
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Patrick Ryecart | ... |
Charles
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Kate Buffery | ... |
Theresa
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Paul Herzberg | ... |
Jacob
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Julia St. John | ... |
Bella
(as Julia St John)
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Norma West | ... |
Wilhemina
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Jonathan Newth | ... |
Dr Grainger
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Pauline Jameson | ... |
Isabel Tripp
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Muriel Pavlow | ... |
Julia Tripp
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Pat O'Toole | ... | ||
Geoffrey Freshwater | ... |
Sgt Keeley
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Jestyn Phillips | ... |
Steward
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Tobias Saunders | ... |
Alexis
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Storyline
Hastings is invited by his friend Charles Arundell to be at hand when he tries to break a water speed record on a Berkshire country lake, but his boat's engine fails him. At a subsequent reception at the estate of Charles' well-to-do aunt, Poirot and the other guests witness her refusal to continue to underwrite Charles' expensive hobby, and he threatens her. Later, when she is almost killed in a freak accident involving her pet fox terrier Bob, she confides to Poirot that she suspects a family member of trying to kill her to gain part of her estate. The detective advises her to disinherit her grasping relatives and name a friend as beneficiary. Despite this precaution, she dies abruptly under questionable circumstances, but the local authorities refuse to authorize an autopsy. Suspecting foul play, Poirot looks to his wits as well as the Arundell dog, who remains a silent witness to murder. Written by G. Taverney (DUKE1029@AOL.COM)
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Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
31 October 1996 (USA) See more »Company Credits
Fun Facts
Trivia
The portrait painting of General John Laverton Arundell also features in The Mystery of the Spanish Chest in two scenes within the Military Club. See more »Quotes
Hercule Poirot: You forgot the Sisters Tripp.Captain Arthur Hastings: Oh those two? They're batty, yes, but not murderers surely?
Hercule Poirot: What is murder but a kind of madness, mon ami?
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While I haven't read the book in a long time, I will agree that it is not among Miss Christie's best. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it, but I just prefer other books that she wrote namely Death on the Nile and Murder of Roger Ackroyd. This adaptation, while taking some major liberties such as the omission of the suicide of the murderer and the murder of Dr Grainger, is still very absorbing with a huge amount to like. One was that the Lake District scenery was absolutely splendid, and the costumes was just as good. The music was stunning, and the acting was very good indeed. David Suchet is impeccable as Poirot, as you would expect(though I must find some other positive to describe Suchet's performance, perhaps outstanding would do), Hugh Fraser is entertaining as Hastings and Ann Morrish is effective as Emily Arrundel, her character's death was wonderfully eerie. Julia St. John is good as Bella, and Pauline Jameson and Muriel Pavlow do a great job as the batty Tripp sisters. But my favourite of all was the fox terrier Bob. Not only was he very cute but very well trained, and I must say if there was an award for animals Bob should've got one. All in all, very well done. 8/10 Bethany Cox