Photo credit: movieweb.com
Agatha Christie is a legendary figure in the realm of mystery literature. With over 60 detective novels to her name, she introduced readers to unforgettable characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Christie’s mastery lies in crafting intricate plots filled with unexpected twists, leaving audiences guessing until the very last moment. Since the release of her inaugural novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, in 1916, over 30 adaptations of her work have graced the screens, showcasing her continued influence on the genre.
While Christie’s novels are celebrated for their clever narratives, one of the appealing aspects of her work is the challenge of predicting the outcomes. Given the numerous adaptations, it becomes progressively harder to astonish viewers. To reinvigorate interest, some filmmakers have opted to alter endings, offering fans a fresh chance to deduce the identity of the culprit.
7 ‘And Then There Were None’ (1945)
A group of eight individuals receives strange invitations to a secluded island. Upon arrival, they are confronted by a butler who plays a recording that accuses each guest of murder. As the story unfolds, the guests begin to perish one by one. This adaptation of the 1939 novel, And Then There Were None, is one of the most frequently revisited works of Christie’s. The first film version, produced in 1945 and directed by René Clair, built on an earlier stage adaptation made by Christie herself in 1943.
Making The Ending Less Grim
While the film retains much of the book’s plot, it diverges by adopting the ending from Christie’s stage play. In the original narrative, the character Judge Wargrave engineers a deadly game as a form of vigilante justice against those he perceives to have escaped punishment. In the film, however, the judge assumes the alias Armstrong and shares his sinister plans with Vera Claythorne before taking his own life. Unlike the original storyline, where no characters survive, both Vera and Philip Lombard are left alive in the film’s conclusion.
6 ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ (1957)
This story, initially titled “Traitor’s Hands,” saw life as both a short story and a stage play in 1953, highlighting its enduring intrigue. The core narrative revolves around Leonard Vole, accused of murder, which is complicated further by his wife, Romaine, testifying against him. Intriguingly, her motivations are layered, framed as part of an elaborate scheme to secure her husband’s freedom.
Introducing a Secret Mistress
In the short story, Romaine ultimately realizes Leonard’s guilt, while the stage adaptation reveals his affair with another woman, which leads to a tragic betrayal. The 1957 film rendition modifies Romaine’s character to Christine, portrayed by Marlene Dietrich. The dramatic climax mirrors the play: Christine kills Leonard after uncovering his intentions to abandon her for his mistress, leaving both the play and film exploring themes of loyalty and betrayal.
5 ‘Murder at the Gallop’ (1963)
Murder at the Gallop is part of the series of MGM Miss Marple films starring Margaret Rutherford. Based on the 1953 novel After the Funeral, the original plot centers on Hercule Poirot investigating a murder following a wealthy man’s funeral. The film adaptation transforms this story by introducing Miss Marple as the leading detective instead.
Changing the Motive
Replacing Poirot with Miss Marple creates a different tonal landscape. The film also renames the deceased character to Mr. Enderby, and it expands Miss Marple’s role to play a more active part from the outset, enhancing her involvement in the investigation. While the identity of the murderer remains consistent across both mediums, the motivations diverge significantly, reflecting contemporary values within the adaptation.
4 ‘The Mirror Crack’d’ (1980)
Published in the UK as The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side in 1962, this narrative positions Miss Marple in her picturesque village of St. Mary Mead. Here, a Hollywood actress, Marina Gregg, hosts a party, but the celebration is marred when a guest falls victim to poisoning. The police suspect Marina may have been targeted, leading to a classic whodunit scenario.
Poisoned Hot Chocolate
The adaptation retains the essence of the story but adds layers through its Hollywood backdrop. Both the book and film disclose Marina as the murderer, seeking vengeance for a past incident involving her guest, Heather. However, the movie presents an altered conclusion. Unlike the book’s ambiguity regarding Marina’s death, the film shows her husband confessing to poisoning her hot cocoa, a detail that shifts the focus onto themes of desperation and domestic betrayal.
3 ‘The Secret of Chimneys’ (2010)
First published in 1925, The Secret of Chimneys remains a cherished novel among Christie aficionados. The plot unfolds at the Chimneys estate during a party that culminates in murder. Although a stand-alone narrative, it features characters like Superintendent Battle and Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent, who recur in later works.
Changing the Framework of the Entire Mystery
This story was adapted for the Agatha Christie’s Marple series, marking a significant shift with the introduction of Julia McKenzie as the detective. While retaining elements of the original plot, the adaptation fabricates a new killer and motive, indicative of modern storytelling approaches that prioritize character-driven narratives.
2 ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ (2006)
The Sittaford Mystery, based on the 1931 novel The Murder at Hazelmoor, presents a gripping tale of a séance predicting the murder of Captain Trevelyan. The protagonist, Emily Trefusis, steps in to unravel the mystery. The adaptation, however, introduces Miss Marple as a crucial ally in the investigation.
Name Swaps and A New Killer
The film adaptation makes significant modifications, including swapping character names and altering the murderer’s identity. In the book, the killer is Major Burnaby, while in the adaptation, a character named Charles Burnaby is revealed to be Trevelyan’s illegitimate son, who seeks revenge. The narrative culminates with Emily diverging from her expected path, seeking independence rather than submitting to societal conventions.
1 ‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023)
Hallowe’en Party, the source material for this recent adaptation, introduces Hercule Poirot alongside friend Ariadne Oliver as they navigate a Halloween gathering that takes a deadly turn. The narrative is reimagined, shifting from England to Italy, with a séance taking center stage instead of a traditional party.
Turning an English Halloween Into an Italian Ghost Story
This contemporary adaptation of the classic story accentuates supernatural elements, enriching the plot’s psychological depth. While Joyce is depicted as a more complex adult character rather than a child, some narrative elements, including motives and the nature of the victims, have evolved significantly to align with modern sensibilities.
Source
movieweb.com