After artist Amyas Crale dies from poisoning, his wife is hanged for the murder. Their daughter, sent to live in Canada, is now a young adult. Convinced that her mother was innocent, she persuades Hercule Poirot to re-investigate.

The book adapts very well to a dramatization such as this splendid DVD version. The book's premise calls out for the artistic use of flashbacks which work so well here. Music is also skilfully added and camera work, settings and lavish wardrobe products are superb.

Leading the small cast is David Suchet, presenting a Poirot in somber mode in keeping with the desperately sad circumstances. Gemma Jones and (briefly) Patrick Malahide are players familiar to older viewers and amongst the younger players is Rachel Stirling, the daughter of Diana Rigg, and Toby Stephens, a son of Maggie Smith.

Best Poirot Ever!
Review date: 2004-05-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

Without question, this is the single best Poirot produced since the inception of the series. Every aspect of it is of the highest cinematic quality--from the highly literate script and superlative acting, to the luscious cinematography and haunting muscial score. Surely, the painful depths of emotion generated by the final moments are totally unexpected and a first for the entire series. Most important, the character of Poirot has been elevated to what Christie had intended. The little Belgian is by turns insightful, amusing and devastatingly ruthless. Christie fans can only hope that this is all a good indication of what is to come from the series. And with no offense meant to the superb actors who portrayed them, thank heavens that Miss Lemon and Hastings have been suitably banished, thus destroying the annoying 'family unit' they had formed in previous episodes. HIGHEST RATING!

Superlative Christie Adaptation!
Review date: 2004-05-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

During the past few seasons, the "Poirot" series slipped in both content and quality. Liberties were continually taken, especially the insertion of Captain Hastings in stories in which he does not appear (i.e. "Evil Under the Sun"). I began to worry about whether the clever little Belgian would again see the television screen. But now comes "Five Little Pigs" and it is by far the single best Suchet/Poirot film. Faithful in every respect to Christie's original classic novel, the film is a brilliant whodunit with a literate and suspenseful screenplay, stunning cinematography, beautiful music (including a piece by Satie that will stick in your mind for days) and superlative performances from all involved, with special note taken of Rachael Stirling (Diana Rigg's daughter), Toby Stephens (Maggie Smith's son) and Aimee Mullins. Suchet this time is devastatingly serious, with, of course, that twinkle in his eye. The film is quality through and through, and, by the finale, quite moving. Congratulations to Suchet and producer Margaret Mitchell. I can wait to see the new adaptations of "Sad Cypress", "Death on the Nile" and "The Hollow". Bravo!

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