A new Poirot trailer has just been released by ITV, to mark the beginning of the end.It's an incredibly moving trailer, with the voice-over from the final part of Curtain (anyone who has read the book will recognise it), accompanied by clips from several of the episodes, all the way from The Adventure of the Clapham Cook (1989) to what I assume must be Dead Man's Folly (2013) (he's walking between some hedges in a garden, and I don't recognise it from any of the earlier episodes - correct me if I'm wrong).
I particularly enjoy the collage of portrait close-ups of Poirot/Suchet towards the end. It's a beautiful to show the evolution, the aging and the development of the character. Top marks to whoever put this thing together.
See the trailer here: Poirot: The End is Near (trailer) | presscentre
Now, let's speculate. First, we know that The Big Four will air 23rd of October. Here's the press pack, which also includes interviews with David Suchet, Philip Jackson and Sarah Parish (Flossie Monro), and the episode trailer. Second, we are told in the trailer that 'the final four cases of Poirot start with The Big Four'. Third, we know that there will be a preview of Dead Man's Folly at the BFI on the 29th of October. The conclusion to be drawn from this (and from certain rumours I've heard the last couple of days) is that we can probably look forward to Dead Man's Folly on the 30th of October, and possibly even The Labours of Hercules on the 6th of November and Curtain on the 13th. If so, we are only a couple of weeks away from The End. In the words of the trailer:
UPDATE 15/10: ITV have just announced that 'Dead Man's Folly will be broadcast on Wednesday 30th October 2013! Here's the press pack. Thanks to the anonymous commenter who alerted me.
After an incredible journey, the end is near.
I'm speechless! Incredible trailer, quite shivvering right now and melancholic. I do believe that ITV is gonna send off Poirot magnificently. However, though with the pre-order for the Complete collection announced in November, I still think they're gonna try to 'mark' 25 years of anniversary, thus Christmas- New year' Curtain!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Thanks for you great blog!
Ev vie Evgre
P.S. Are you going to try to catch up with the episode-by episode by the time The Big 4 is on, thus giving it a 'live', right after feeling? :)
Hi Ev vie Evgre! I completely agree. It seems they are building up to a great send-off. I thought they would save it for January 2014 (1989-2014) too, but I've heard some rumours that might suggest otherwise. We'll see :) Nothing to thank for, I'm doing the blog for all of us Poirot fans ;)
DeleteP.S. I'm working on it! Dictated by work and other commitments. But I'm almost done with MOTOE, "Clocks" and "Elephants" next. Also, I probably won't review The Big Four 'live', as it were, because it takes some time for me to get hold of the episodes (since I'm not in the UK). But hopefully fairly soon after the broadcast!
The hedges you mentioned are definitely at Greenway House. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's what I thought :)
DeleteAmazing trailer - I teared up a bit watching it, indeed kudos to whoever put it together! I also enjoyed the montage of close-ups (and seeing the slight changes in the moustache!) This is a lovely send off to such a iconic character, and a magnificent series.
ReplyDeleteI do hope the air date for Curtain is as close to the 25th anniversary of the initial airing, which would bring the series to full circle (though I'm guessing that the air date in the US will probably be late 2014).
I should also echo my thanks and appreciation for this blog for its in-depth look at each episode, and news updates.
It is, isn't it? The moustache has changed quite significantly since the first episode, but then so did the descriptions in the books. 'luxurious', 'giantic' and 'military' are just three of the descriptions ;)
DeleteIn a way, I hope so too. That would be the sort of symmetry that Poirot would approve of! Rumours (if they are to be believed) suggest otherwise, though. But I agree that a US air date would definitely be later in 2014.
Thank you for those kind words! I intend to continue even when we run out of episodes. There's still a lot to explore.
It's so sad that it has to end :(
ReplyDeleteIt's very sad. But it's also such an achievement! A very bittersweet moment...
DeleteThis is an great site and a wonderful moment in TV history - the sort I could only dream of when I first saw one of the first 90 minute Suchet Poirots as a ten year old. I'm so glad ITV started to look back to drama and make profits at the time the last pushwas needed towards completing filming the books.
ReplyDeleteI may be in the minority but I've enjoyed the later series more - the moral darkness and the foreboding of the coming war and the 30s are a wonderful setting plus the comedic episodes are up there with anything Horowitz produced. I don't see the argument that the plots/characters have been changed - that was always the case in the early days especially dashing Arthur Hastings being fleshed out to fill the early short stories!
I worked in the Adelphi building in London for several years and it always put a spring in my step when I remembered an early Poirot had been filmed there.
I have to say I agree with you on all accounts. A truly significant moment in television history. 25 years is incredibly long for a television series that consists exclusively of literary adaptations, and I don't think anyone could have imagined that Suchet would actually get to complete the Christie Poirot canon back in 1988 when they started filming. As fans, we have been on a rollercoaster ride, with the threat of cancellation constantly hanging over this series. It was, after all, effectively cancelled in the mid-90s, and we have to thank the Americans for reviving it. And then there's the renewed interest in drama in the last couple of years that certainly saved the final five. I think we have a lot to thank the success of Downton Abbey for in that respect.
DeleteAs to the early vs later years debate, I try to remain neutral. But I think it shines through in my episode-by-episode posts that I quite enjoy the darkness of the later adaptations. I would also argue that this is in keeping with the novels. Poirot ages and develops, just as the series has aged and developed. Poirot as portrayed by Suchet is a complex character with several traits that have been explored over the years. Still, I'm delighted to see the return of Hastings, Japp and Miss Lemon for these final stories. That is absolutely fitting for a series with such a long backstory.
The Adelphi building featured in a couple of episodes, and it's a truly magnificent example of the era they have captured so brilliantly over the years. Must have been a great place to work!
Actually, in the screen cap posted here, David looks much skinnier and older, won't be surprised if the voice over and these shot is from Curtain and Poirot writing /thus reading/ the letter himself, rather than Hastings doing it. Especially since it ends with Hercule Poirot. Of course just a speculation.
ReplyDeleteEvgre
I had the same thought, actually. I'm not sure if the screen cap is actually from "Curtain", but Suchet is clearly going to read the letter himself. Also, he does look particularly frail, and he isn't wearing the bow tie (possibly the collar though). Still, I always expected that he would read the letter. It will make a much more emotional scene than if Fraser had simply read it in Hastings' voice.
DeleteEspecially looking forward to Dead Man's Folly after viewing this trailer. Zoe Wanamaker is brilliant as Ariadne Oliver and it will be sad to say goodbye to her also. Hopefully there will be more Miss Marple, as I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to both series!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Zoë Wanamaker was the perfect choice for Ariadne. I hear her voice when I read the books now, which is always a sign that the actor is right for the part. I think "Folly" will be particularly poignant because it's been filmed at Greenway (and we know it was the last episode to be filmed). As for Marple, it seems ITV are still considering their options, since they decided to hold "Endless Night" back (they don't have to make a decision about recommissioning before they've broadcast all the episodes they ordered). It would be nice to see them tackle some more of the Marple short stories. And we will certainly need something to ease the Poirot mourning.
DeleteThe Big Four - ITV's trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfCq1giTg00
ReplyDeleteThank you ueetba!
DeleteI've been a casual fan of the series for decades, but on rewatching the series a few times in the last few years, I can honestly say I'm going to be gutted when it's finally over. Still, it's looking like it will be a fabulous sendoff.
ReplyDeleteI think many casual viewers/fans will feel the same! ITV certainly appear to be giving it a worthy sendoff, and I think these final four episodes deserve all the attention they can get. It's a remarkable achievement.
DeleteThe clip is great, indeed ! Thank for posting the link and your passionate and bright comments.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thanks for reading them :)
DeleteThe ITV trailer for "Dead Man's Folly"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/agatha-christies-poirot-dead-mans-folly-video#.UmksFBD86ZQ
Evgre
Thanks, Evgre!
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