The ominously named End House is the setting for deadly deception in this feature-length adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel. As so often happens, supersleuth Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is charmed by a woman--in this ... more »case, Magdala "Nick" Buckley (Polly Walker, who later starred in Enchanted April and Restoration). Nick jokingly mentions three recent close calls with death, piquing Poirot's investigative instincts. A murder does occur; however, the murderer isn't the only criminal in this multilayered mystery. The path to the truth takes several unexpected twists before reaching its conclusion. In fact, this is one case Poirot's little gray cells may not have solved but for the help of his assistants. Although Poirot teases Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) about his crime-solving abilities, it is Hastings's childish word-association game that provides the crucial piece to the puzzle. And Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran), who in previous episodes has resorted to tarot cards and hypnotism to aid her employer, holds an impromptu séance during the final scene. A highly enjoyable (if somewhat improbable) addition to the Agatha Christie's Poirot series.The DVD transfer has excellent picture and sound quality. Special features include an interactive trivia game, biographies of David Suchet and Agatha Christie, and a link to the official Agatha Christie Web site. --Larisa Lomacky Moore« less
Really great plotline, acting, sets and costumes. A must watch!
Movie Reviews
Puzzling. Suspenseful. Twisting. Delicious.
Jeffrey E Ellis | Naperville, IL USA | 06/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hercule Poirot, the internationally-known, legendary sleuth has his hands full in "Peril at End House". Trying to foil a murder plot, Poirot finds no motive or perpetrator or crime, yet! Indeed, there are many suspects but none fit the puzzle perfectly.
Situated in the French Riviera, the beautiful setting and extravagent lavishness of the idle rich provide an interesting backdrop to murder. Hastings is charming in his stiff British sort of way and Poirot (David Suchet) is irresistably full of himself, as usual.
Magdela "Nick" Buckley is a charming, intriguing lead. She reports three mysterious "accidents" at End House, piquing Poirot's curiosity and his instincts to the imminent danger facing her. THemystery takes an unexpected turn as she confides to being secretly engaged to an adventurous, world-renowned Britsh aviator who himself is the sudden heir to a fortune.
This is one of the best of the Poirot series and is quite confounding with many clues, intrigues, and twists in the plot. Especially well-done."
Brilliant....
Dianne Foster | USA | 06/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been purchasing the AcornMedia Poirot mysteries--feature-length DVD as well as 3-pack 50 minute episodes--and was quite pleased to discover PERIL AT END HOUSE (an extended DVD of 103 minutes) is excellent. The resolution and clarity of this DVD is quite good and better than THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR AT STYLES, though I like these mysteries so much I did not find the quality of the latter offputting. This is not a Criterion restoration by any means, but then we are not paying Criterion prices.The End House of this story is a magnificent old home sitting on a point of rocks that juts out into the sea in the West Country, said to be Cornwall in the film. The owner of End House, a young woman named Nick Buckley, is played by Polly Walker (ENCHANTED APRIL, RESTORATION), a beautiful and talented young actress. As usual with these masterful BBC productions, the film is brimming over with all sorts of period touches including the 20s-30s architecture, planes, trains, automobiles, boats, and fashionable clothing including the fabulous resort-wear Poirot sports. The BBC doesn't miss a beat. The dance band with lead tenor singer is pure Rudy Vallee, the golf clubs, victrola, and wristwatches are the sort one might find in Aunt Louise's attic. Even the poisoned chocolates are pure art deco. Oops...did I say poisoned chocolates..don't want to give away the plot. Speaking of the plot, I thought it was pretty clever. At least it fooled me the first time I saw it. As always, it's fun to watch the second or third time and study the behavior of the killer..oh yes, there is a killing, a murder if you will, and of course, Japp, Hastings, and Poirot are together on the case. Even Miss Lemon, or should we call her Madame Lemoine, joins in the chase. My husband commented over and over about the old cars and planes--he could identify them all by name and year. He said he enjoyed looking at them, but I noticed it was Polly Walker's name he looked for in the credits. As usual, the BBC provides entertainment for everyone at our house."
Wow!
Philip Kahn | San Diego, CA United States | 01/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Really Suspenseful, you dont know who it is until the very end"
Poirot - Peril at End House DVD
Philip Kahn | 07/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow! What a great DVD. I just happened to finish reading this book when I found the DVD for sale at amazon. It's a fantastic story. You'll never guess, "who done it." And Suchet is the finest Poirot an avid Agatha Christie fan could ask for!"
Wonderfully Intriguing!
face-garak | 06/26/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not as good as ABC, Lord Edgware, and 1,2,Shoe, but still a 5-star show! It's nice to see Hastings and Lemon in a two-hour feature! The show has a nice twist at the end, and a great feeling of surealness all through-out. Some plot aspects reminded me a little too much of Miss Marple's "The Mirror Cracked From Side to Side""