Film "Poirot. Sad cypress": actors, roles, plot

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The works of the detective genre master Agatha Christie have been repeatedly filmed by various directors in many countries of the world. And the main characters of these amazing stories have long been loved by the viewer precisely in the images that the actors managed to create. So, Hercule Poirot from the cycle of detective novels of the same name is associated with the English actor David Suchet, who perfectly embodied this extraordinary character 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 the most intricate Poirot investigations called "The Sad Cypress". The action partially takes place in the courtroom, which is different from most stories about a talented detective. On the plot, production and cast of this filmwill be discussed in this article.

The novel and its adaptation

Agatha Christie's novel The Sad Cypress was first published in March 1940 by the Collins Crime Club in the UK. The book received excellent reviews even from regular critics of the writer's work. It was noted that a more emotional narrative than is typical for the author, coupled with ingenuity and an excellent understanding of the genre, bring the novel to the level of a classic.

In 1992, The Sad Cypress was adapted as a five-part radio play for BBC Radio. The broadcast took place weekly on Thursdays and was a great success with listeners. The role of Poirot was played by 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 television project Agatha Christie's Poirot. "Sad Cypress" is part of the ninth season of the series.

Meet the main character

The action begins to unfold in court. Eleanor Carlisle is being charged with the murder of Mary Gerrard. During the process, Elinor begins to remember the circumstances that led to this situation. Thus the film "The 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 over her aunt Laura Welman in order to obtain a large part of the fortune in a will.

At first, Elinor does not attach much importance to the letter, becauseLaura, who has no children, has always referred to her as her sole heir. However, Miss Eleanor Carlisle is concerned about the deteriorating he alth of her beloved aunt. Therefore, together with her fiancé Roddy Winter, who is also Mrs. Welman's nephew, he leaves London and goes to visit his aunt in Maidensford.

Love triangle

Upon arrival, the young people discovered that Aunt Laura really had a special affection for the gardener's daughter, Mary Gerrad, who had been visiting her house for quite some time. Elinor remembers the letter and turns to her aunt's doctor for advice. He, in turn, introduces her to Hercule Poirot. The detective is in these parts on vacation and is bored, so he undertakes to find out the identity of the anonymous person and his motives.

Ms. Welman's he alth is rapidly deteriorating, and she asks Eleanor, as the main heir to her fortune, to worry about the fate of Miss Gerrad. Meanwhile, Roddy is infatuated with Mary, a fact that does not escape Eleanor's attention. The emotional intensity described in the novel and recreated by the actors in the film "The Sad Cypress" is a hallmark of this detective story. In the relationship between Elinor and Roddy, tension and understatement reign. Young people cannot explain themselves, this is prevented by a sharp deterioration in the aunt's well-being, and then death. After the funeral, Roddy and Eleanor break off their engagement as Roddy confesses that he is in love with Mary and would like to marry her.

It's not as easy as it seems

Eleanor Carlisle inherits all of Laura's fortune andtrying to be honest with them. Nurses and servants receive their share. Elinor does not forget the request of the deceased regarding Mary. It is very difficult to restrain emotions, despite all her nobility, Elinor, in a private conversation with Poirot, says that she hates Mary and wishes her death. However, probate orders require communication with a rival.

During one of Elinor's meetings, Nurse Hopkins and Mary drink tea, which turns out to be fatal for the latter. The motive and possibilities indicate that Elinor was responsible for Mary's poisoning. However, in the novel "The Sad Cypress" everything is not as obvious as in other works of Agatha Christie, the solution does not lie on the surface. Dr. Peter Lord, who is in love with her, believes in Elinor's innocence. And the famous detective Poirot intends to prove it.

The main character of the TV series

The role of Hercule Poirot in the TV project was played by British actor David Suchet. He was nominated by series producer 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 the image of the character, Suchet not only read the entire series of novels about a talented detective. He carefully studied the history of Belgium, because he believed that the environment in which Poirot grew up and was brought up influenced his character and manners. Also, David spent many hours with the teacher to achieve that unique accent that became the hallmark of his character.

The main character of the film "Sad Cypress"

ActorsThe creators of the television project have always been selected with great care, 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 English dramatic actress Elizabeth Dermot-Walsh was invited to play the role of Eleanor Carlisle. Critics found this choice very successful, because she managed to cope with complex psychological scenes in which there was not even dialogue. In addition, the passionate nature of the main character is hidden under the mask of restraint and stiffness, which were characteristic of the upbringing 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 Elinor's fiancé was played by 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 as Adam Custer. The actor is known for his reverent attitude to the English classics and is very critical of the British television film industry, so he does not take on all roles. However, the offer to play the character of Roddy Winter accepted with joy. Critics noted that the actor did an excellent job with the task that the creators of the Poirot series set for him.

"Sad Cypress": supporting actors

The role of Mary Gerrad went to the famous English actress Kelly Reilly. wideShe is well known to the audience from such sensational films as Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes. Shadow Play, where her partners in the frame were actors Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr.

Dr. Peter Lord was played by popular actor Paul McGann. The viewer remembered him for his work in the films "Queen of the Damned", "Paper Mask" and "Doctor Who".

The role of Nurse Hopkins was played by Scottish actress Phyllisa Logan. She gained her popularity thanks to the roles of Lady Jane in the television project Lovejoy and Mrs. Hughes in the TV series Downton Abbey.