The Dream (Agatha Christie's Poirot episode)

The Dream is the tenth episode of series 1 of the ITV British television drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot featuring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, first broadcast on 19 March 1989 in the UK. The episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story of the same name and was directed by Edward Bennett with dramatisation by Clive Exton.

Synopsis
Benedict Farley, the rich and eccentric owner of a pie factory, consults Poirot about a troubling dream he keeps having in which he commits suicide. Later, he is indeed found dead, precisely in the fashion he had described.

Comparison with Original Story
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)

Cast

 * David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
 * Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings
 * Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
 * Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
 * Alan Howard as Benedict Farley / Hugo Cornworthy
 * Joely Richardson as Joanna Farley
 * Mary Tamm as Mrs Farley
 * Martin Wenner as Herbert Chudley
 * Christopher Saul as Mr Tremlett
 * Paul Lacoux as Dr. Stillingfleet
 * Neville Phillips as Holmes
 * Tommy Wright as Workman
 * Fred Bryant as Workman
 * Donald Bisset as Mayor (as Donald Bissett)
 * Arthur Howell as Fencing Instructor
 * George Little as Dicker
 * Christopher Gunning as Bandmaster
 * Richard Bebb as Newsreel Voice (voice)

Tropes and Themes

 * The Art Deco 1930s - Hoover building, Perivale. Used for Farley's factory. Built in 1933, it is an example of Art Deco architecture and a Grade II listed buidling.
 * Lavish scenes
 * Newsreel about Farley's pies
 * Opening ceremony of new section of the works, including a brass band, pies on conveyor belts
 * Poirot calls on Joanna Farley while she is at a fencing class
 * The chase sequence - the final chase of Cornworthy by Hubert

Filming Locations

 * Hoover Building, Perivale - external shots of Farley's Pies