ORDEAL BY INNOCENCE

UK, 2007, 93 minutes, Colour.

Geraldine McEwan, Juliet Stevenson, Dennis Lawson, Alison Steadman, Richard Armitage, Stephanie Leonidas, Lisa Stansfield, Burn Gorman, Jane Seymour, Tom Riley, Rhys Sheereman, Julian Rhiind-Tutt, Bryan Dick, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Andrea Love, Michael Feast, Camille Coduri.

Directed by Moira Armstrong.

Ordeal by Innocence was a stand-alone Agatha Christie novel of 1958, the central character being a scientist, Dr Calgary, who opens up case, giving an alibi to the brother of the family who had been executed.

The film has introduced the family, the matriarch, Jane Seymour, who had fix adopted children manage their lives, Leo, Dennis Lawson, her academic husband whom she despised. And then there is Gwenda, Juliet Stevenson, his secretary.

The focus is on one of the sons, Jacko (Burn Gorman) ambler, confidence man, the death of his mother, his having an alibi but the witness not able to be found. When Dr Calgary comes with the news, it creates all kinds of suspicions within the household, revelations about relationships amongst the children, money issues, and all on the occasion when Leo was to marry Gwenda. Then Gwenda is murdered.

The plot is well worked out, a satisfactory revelation of who the murderer is. There is a strong supporting cast of British character actors led by Alison Steadman as the nanny in the family, and, as the children, Richard Armitage, Burn Gorman, to boo and Bath-Raw. And Julian Rind Type is Dr Calgary.

Effective in its way.

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie novels? The story not originally for miss Marple? Her insertion into it? Working with Dr Calgary? 1050 setting, the mansion and interiors, the countryside, the water? The visit to the town, hotels, shops, garages? The musical score?
2. The introduction to the family, Leo and his writing, historical, wife mocking him? His relationship with Linda, her devotion? Rachel, matriarch, the adoption of the children, management of the house, the confrontation with, refusing him the money, her death?
3. The reactions, the bonds with Jacko, Bobby is his twin, the visit to the prison, is sacrificing himself, Hester the talking with Jacko, his alibi, the police unable to find the witness? Is execution and Mark
4. 2 years later, Gwenda, writing to miss Marple, the background story miss Marple’s visit, the impending wedding, the response of the children, the organisation? The winter setting, the island, the water and boats? The welcome into the house?
5. Gwenda, the possibility for marrying, love Leo, relationship to the children, the antagonism from Kirsten? Calgary, alibi, the repercussions for the family, possible guilt? Gwenda and investigations, in Rachel’s room, financial issues, private Detective information? Drink us a death?
6. Investigation, lies told to the police? Hester, her relationship with Philip, Mary, knowing the truth? Phillip, the polio, his philandering, pressure on Bobby for the money? Tina, relationship with Michael? Leo and his relationship with his children? Kirsten and her denunciations of Gwenda?
7. Dr Calgary, his lecture, absent-minded, chance reading the paper, going to the family, giving them the alibi, is not realising the consequences? Reaction against him? His staying, discussions with miss Marple, the further investigations?
8. Miss Marple, the visit, the reaction to Dr Calgary, the ordeal by innocence all those under suspicion? Her own investigations, watching people, miss Marple’s methods? Blinking with Dr Calgary?
9. Bobby, the money, rowing, stealing the plate, his death?
10. The visit to the woman at the garage, her Frank talking about Jacko and his charm, money?
11. The final confrontation, miss Marple in Dr Calgary, the confrontation with Kerstin, urging her to confess to give reading to the other children?
12. The sad ending, the lives of the other children, and the death of Gwenda, Leo bereft?