Great mystery novelist Agatha Christie would probably have been rather disappointed in this barely above average 'made for TV' treatment of her murder-mystery, "13 At Dinner". Lou Antonio directs this relatively routine whodunit which holds very few shocks or surprises. The material is handled poorly by our director, who gives the production a very bland, superficial once-over, perhaps because he felt it was not worthy of more. Thank goodness for veteran actor Peter Ustinov, who, along with the script's sharp sense of humour, saves the entire film.
Unfortunately the whole cast are extremely mediocre outside of Ustinov. Faye Dunaway manages to both underplay and overplay her movie star heiress, Lee Horsley makes a rather drippy sidekick and David Suchet is an ordinary Scotland Yard Inspector (he would later assume the role of Poirot). Of course the part of Hercule Poirot is played by Mr Ustinov this time, and he creates Agatha Christie' great Belgian detective with real style and assuredness. He obviously thoroughly enjoys the character, always making the most of his dry wit and his brilliant acumen.
"13 At Dinner" does manage to be interesting enough to hold your attention to the very end, even though it won't take any genius to unravel the plot, which gives itself away early on. Most fans will see it through just to see what happens, if only to confirm their own deductions. Too bad the script is not altogether clear on some of Poirot's conclusions, or how he came to them.
Sunday, July 30, 1995 - Video
Unfortunately the whole cast are extremely mediocre outside of Ustinov. Faye Dunaway manages to both underplay and overplay her movie star heiress, Lee Horsley makes a rather drippy sidekick and David Suchet is an ordinary Scotland Yard Inspector (he would later assume the role of Poirot). Of course the part of Hercule Poirot is played by Mr Ustinov this time, and he creates Agatha Christie' great Belgian detective with real style and assuredness. He obviously thoroughly enjoys the character, always making the most of his dry wit and his brilliant acumen.
"13 At Dinner" does manage to be interesting enough to hold your attention to the very end, even though it won't take any genius to unravel the plot, which gives itself away early on. Most fans will see it through just to see what happens, if only to confirm their own deductions. Too bad the script is not altogether clear on some of Poirot's conclusions, or how he came to them.
Sunday, July 30, 1995 - Video