The works of the master of the detective genre Agatha Christie have been repeatedly filmed by various directors in many countries of the world. And the main characters of these stunning stories have long been loved by the viewer precisely in those images that the actors managed to create. So, Hercule Poirot from the eponymous series of detective novels, many associate with the English actor David Suchet, who perfectly embodied this extraordinary hero in the series Poirot.
The British television project about the Belgian detective was filmed from 1989 to 2013 and has thirteen seasons. In the ninth season, the viewer has the opportunity to get acquainted with one of Poirot's most intricate investigations called "Sad Cypress". Actions partially take place in the courtroom, which differs from most stories about a talented detective. The plot, production and cast of this film will be discussed in this article.
The novel and its adaptation
Agatha Christie’s first novel, Sad Cypress, was published in March 1940 by the Collins Crime Club in the UK. The book received excellent reviews even from constant critics of the writer's work. It was noted that a more emotional narrative than that characteristic of the author, coupled with ingenuity and an excellent understanding of the genre, takes the novel to the level of classics.
In 1992, Sad Cypress was adapted as a five-part radio play for BBC Radio. The broadcast took place weekly on Thursdays and was very popular among listeners. The role of Poirot was played by the English actor and playwright John Moffat. This work brought him wide popularity and is considered one of the best.
In 2003, the novel was filmed as part of the TV show Poirot Agatha Christie. "Sad Cypress" is part of the ninth season of the series.
Acquaintance with the main character
The action begins to unfold in court. A case is being heard on charges of Elinor Carlisle in the murder of Mary Gerrard. During the process, Elinor begins to recall the circumstances that led to this situation. Thus, the film “Sad Cypress” takes the viewer in time to the beginning of events when Elinor received an anonymous letter. It said that a certain young lady was fawning with her aunt Laura Welman in order to obtain a significant portion of her will by will.
At first, Elinor does not attach special importance to the letter, because Laura, who has no children, always called her her sole heiress. However, Miss Elinor Carlisle is concerned about the deteriorating health of her beloved aunt. Therefore, together with his fiancée Roddy Winter, who is also Mrs. Wellman’s nephew, leaves London and goes to visit his aunt in Medensford.
Love triangle
Upon arrival, young people discovered that Aunt Laura really has a special affection for the gardener's daughter Mary Gerrad, who has been visiting her house for quite some time. Elinor recalls the letter and seeks advice from her aunt's doctor. He, in turn, introduces her to Hercule Poirot. The detective is in these parts on vacation and is bored, so it is taken to find out the identity of the anonymous person and his motives.
Mrs. Wellman's health is rapidly deteriorating, and she asks Eleanor, as the main heiress of her condition, to worry about the fate of Miss Gerrad. Meanwhile, Roddy is keen on Mary, this fact does not escape the attention of Elinor. The emotional intensity described in the novel and recreated by the actors in the film “Sad Cypress” is a hallmark of this detective story. In the relationship, Elinor and Roddy reigns tension and understatement. Young people cannot explain, this is hindered by a sharp deterioration in the health of the aunt, and then death. After the funeral, Roddy and Elinor break off the engagement, as Roddy admitted that he was in love with Mary and would like to marry her.
It's not as simple as it sounds
Eleanor Carlisle inherits all of Laura’s fortunes and tries to honestly dispose of them. Nurses and servants receive their part. Elinor does not forget the deceased's request for Mary. It is very difficult to restrain emotions, in spite of all his nobility, Elinor in a private conversation with Poirot says that he hates Mary and wishes her death. However, inheritance orders require communication with a rival.
During one of the meetings, Elinor, nurse Hopkins and Mary drink tea, which is fatal for the latter. Motive and opportunity indicate that Elinor is guilty of poisoning Mary. However, in the novel “Sad Cypress” everything is not so obvious, as in other works of Agatha Christie, the clue does not lie on the surface. Elinor believes in innocence Dr. Peter Lord in love with her. And the famous detective Poirot intends to prove it.
The main character of the television series
The role of Hercule Poirot in the television project was performed by the British actor David Suchet. His candidacy was proposed by the producer of the series Brian Eastman. Since he already had experience with the actor and knew about his abilities, he did not see anyone else in this role. To more accurately create an image of the character, Suchet not only read the entire series of novels about a talented detective. He carefully studied the history of Belgium, since he believed that the environment in which Poirot grew and was brought up influenced his character and manners. And David spent many hours with the teacher to achieve that unique accent, which became the hallmark of his character.
The main character of the film "Sad Cypress"
Actors were always selected with particular care by the creators of the television project, since it was necessary to convey not only the character of the characters, but also the spirit of the time in which they lived. So, the role of Elinor Carlisle was invited to the English dramatic actress Elizabeth Dermot-Walsh. Critics found this choice very successful, because she managed to cope with complex psychological scenes in which there was not even a dialogue. In addition, the passionate nature of the main character is hiding under the guise of restraint and stiffness, which were characteristic of the education of the English aristocracy of that time. Therefore, the depth of emotions and emotional intensity that the actress managed to convey caused rave reviews from critics.
Character Roddy Winter
The role of the groom Elinor was performed by the English theater actor Rupert Penry-Jones. He gained wide popularity thanks to his participation in such popular television projects as Whitechapel, Shtam and Silk. In the sensational spy drama "Ghosts" Penry-Jones was remembered by the audience for the role of Adam Custer. The actor is known for his reverent attitude to English classics and is very critical of the British television film industry, so not all roles are taken. However, Roddy Winter accepted the offer to play the character with joy. Critics noted that the actor did an excellent job with the task set by the creators of the series Poirot.
Sad Cypress: Supporting Actors
The role of Mary Gerrad went to the famous English actress Kelly Reilly. She is well known to a wide audience by such sensational films as “Sherlock Holmes” and “Sherlock Holmes. Game of Shadows ”, where her partners in the frame were actors Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr.
Dr. Peter Lord was played by popular actor Paul Mack Gunn. He remembered the viewer's work in the films Queen of the Damned, Paper Mask and Doctor Who.
The role of the nurse Hopkins was performed by the Scottish actress Phyllis Logan. She gained her popularity thanks to the roles of Lady Jane in the TV show Lovejoy and Mrs. Hughes in the series Downton Abbey.