Death in the Clouds (Agatha Christie's Poirot episode)

Death in the Clouds is the second episode of series 4 of the ITV drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot which featured David Suchet as Hercule Poirot. It was broadcast on 12 January 1992. The feature-length episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name and was directed by Stephen Whittaker with dramatisation by William Humble.

Synopsis
When one of the passangers on Poirot's flight, Madame Giselle, is murdered via a poisoned dart found under the Detective's seat, Poirot decides to help clear his name and aid Chief Inspector Japp in uncovering the true murderer.

Comparison with Original Story
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
 * The characters of Dr Bryant, James Ryder and Armand Dupont are omitted as potential suspects. Mr Dupont's son does appear, and mentions that his father passed away before the opening of the episode.
 * The steward Albert Davis does not appear in the episode, and is replaced by stewardess Jane Grey who in the original novel was a hairdresser's assistant onboard the Prometheus. Due to this, Jane's employer Monsieur Antoine also is not featured. In this adaptation Jane Grey does not pair off with Jean Dupont at the end.
 * Madame Giselle (or Marie Morisot)'s name is slightly changed to Marie Giselle, and Anne Morisot was renamed Anne Giselle. The airline clerk's name is not given in the episode, although the one in the original novel had the name "Jules Perrot".
 * In this adaptation Monsieur Fournier is given the title of "Inspector", and here it is Japp and not him who asks the concierge if she recognised Lady Horbury in a picture. Here the concierge Georges is replaced with an elderly lady.

Cast

 * David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
 * Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
 * Sarah Woodward as Jane Grey
 * Shaun Scott as Norman Gale
 * Cathryn Harrison as Lady Horbury
 * David Firth as Lord Horbury
 * Amanda Royle as Venetia Kerr
 * Richard Ireson as Inspector Fournier
 * Jenny Downham as Anne Giselle
 * Eve Pearce as Madame Giselle
 * Roger Heathcott as Daniel Clancy
 * Guy Manning as Jean Dupont
 * Gabrielle Lloyd as Elise
 * John Bleasdale as Mitchell
 * Harry Audley as Raymond Barraclough
 * Yves Aubert as Airline Clerk
 * George Rossi as Zeropoulos
 * Nick Mercer as Policeman
 * Hilary Waters as Receptionist
 * Hana Maria Pravda as Concierge
 * Raymond Sawyer as Hotel Clerk
 * Russell Richardson as French Registrar

Filming Locations

 * Rue Norvins, Montmartre - at the beginning Poirot passes the Restaurant Le Consulat on his way to the Sacré-Cœur
 * Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre
 * Théâtre des Champs-Élysées - externals and some interior shots of the hotel of Horburys, Venetia Kerr, Poirot. At various places there is a logo comprising a letter H over a C and E, possibly denoting "Hôtel Champs-Élysées".
 * Stade Roland Garros - tennis championship.
 * Peristyle of Joinville, 19 Rue de Beaujolais - Lord Horbury and Venetia Kerr walk back after dinner. They meet Poirot here.
 * Passage de Abbesses - Giselle's residence is on this street.
 * Palais de Tokyo - Art musuem where Poirot meets Jane Grey.
 * Steps from esplanade du Trocadero down to the jardins du Trocadero - Poirot and Jane Grey walk down these steps.
 * Le Bourget Airport terminal, today the Musée de l'air et de l'espace - externals and some internal shots at the airport.
 * Shoreham Airport - external shots and some interior terminal scenes, as a stand in for Croydon.
 * The Green, Richmond, possibly "The Old Court House" - Dental practice of Norman Gale.
 * Gordon Square, London - Poirot and Jane Grey drive back to her home.
 * Rue de l'Université, Paris - Poirot and Japp meet for lunch.
 * Luton Hoo Hotel, Bedfordshire - Horbury country estate.
 * Porte Dauphine Metro station - Dupont and Jane Grey emerge here on the way to the museum.
 * Rue du Commandant Schloesing, Paris - as the police station.
 * Palais de la Porte Dorée - the museum which Dupont takes Jane Grey to.
 * Corner of Rue Jasmin & Rue Raffet, Paris - where Norman Gale acts as a journalist.
 * La Palette cafe, Rue de Seine - Poirot meets Lady Horbury here.
 * Rue des Ursins, Paris - Japp and Poirot rush in a taxi to hotel of Mrs Richards. The taxi makes a cyclist lose his balance on the Rue des Ursins.