The Plymouth Express (Agatha Christie's Poirot episode)

The Plymouth Express is the fourth episode of series 3 of the ITV British television drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot featuring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, first broadcast on 20 January 1991 in the UK. The episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story of the same name and was directed by Andrew Piddington with dramatisation by Rod Beacham.

Synopsis
Australian mining entrepreneur Gordon Halliday hires Poirot to look into the activities of one of his daughter's suitors. His daughter is later found brutally murdered aboard the express train to Plymouth, some valuable jewels of hers missing.

The TV adaptation is fairly faithful to main premise of the original story.

Comparison with Original Novel
(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
 * John Stone as Halliday
 * Kenneth Haigh as McKenzie
 * Julian Wadham as Rupert Carrington
 * Alfredo Michelson as Comte de la Rochefour
 * Marion Bailey as Jane Mason
 * Shelagh McLeod as Florence Carrington
 * Steven Mackintosh as Newsboy
 * Leon Eagles as Bank Manager
 * John Abbott as Detective
 * Stephen Riddle as Barman (as Steven Riddle)
 * Adrian McLoughlin as Station Official
 * Nigel Makin as Reception Clerk
 * Richard Vanstone as Sergeant
 * Robert Locke as Naval Officer (see Lieutenant Alec Simpson)
 * Duncan Faber as Porter
 * Reg Thomason as Doorman (uncredited)

Filming Locations

 * Du Cane Court, Balham, London - Halliday's residence
 * Paragon Train Station, Hull, East Yorkshire
 * Adelphi Building, 1-10 John Adam Street, London - hotel of Comte de la Rochefour
 * Bluebell Railway - (Horsted Keynes Station), Haywards Heath - Poirot & Hastings speak to the paper boy at the train station