The Murder at the Vicarage (Agatha Christie's Marple episode)

The Murder at the Vicarage is the second episode of the first series of Agatha Christie's Marple. It was broadcast on ITV by Granada Television in 2004. The screenplay was written by Stephen Churchett, and the episode was directed by Charles Palmer. It an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name.

Synopsis
Colonel Lucius Protheroe is probably the least-liked individual in St Mary Mead. All resent his superior and demanding attitude. So, when he is found dead in the vicarage study, there is no end of suspects. His wife Ann was having an affair with a local artist, Lawrence Redding. His daughter Lettice bridled under his strict rule. There is also the vicar and his assistant, whom Protheroe suspected of stealing church funds. Finally, there is the mysterious Mrs. Lester with whom he clearly had some previous connection. Jane Marple, recuperating at home from a sprained ankle, had a bird's eye view of all the comings and goings at the vicarage around the time of the murder and she gladly assists Inspector Slack in solving the crime.

Comparison with original novel
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read) This version eliminates the characters of Dr Stone and Gladys Cram, replacing them with Professor Dufosse and his granddaughter Helene, and the reclusive Mrs Lestrange becomes a lavish alcoholic named Mrs Lester. Miss Marple is given an ankle injury during the course of the lead-up to the murder. In this adaptation, Miss Marple is portrayed as a close friend of Anne Protheroe. A major departure for the book is the addition of a series of flashbacks to Miss Marple's youth and her love affair with a married soldier.

Cast

 * Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple
 * Tim McInnerny as Rev. Leonard Clement
 * Siobhan Hayes as Mary Hill
 * Rachael Stirling as Griselda Clement
 * Julian Morris as Dennis Clement
 * Mark Gatiss as Ronald Hawes
 * Robert Powell as Dr Haydock
 * Jane Asher as Mrs Lester
 * Janet McTeer as Anne Protheroe
 * Derek Jacobi as Colonel Protheroe
 * Angela Pleasence as Miss Hartnell
 * Miriam Margolyes as Mrs Price-Ridley
 * Christina Cole as Lettice Protheroe
 * Jason Flemyng as Lawrence Redding
 * Herbert Lom as Augustin Dufosse
 * Emily Bruni as Helene Dufosse
 * Paul Hawkyard as Frank Tarrant
 * Ruth Sheen as Mrs Tarrant
 * Julie Cox as Young Miss Marple
 * Jenny Howe as Maid
 * Stephen Tompkinson as D.I. Slack
 * John Owens as Photographer
 * Jana Carpenter as May Ainsworth
 * Stephen Churchett as Coroner (uncredited)
 * Martin Heathcote as PC Hurst (uncredited)
 * Tricky Nicky as Ticket master (uncredited)
 * Marc Warren as Captain Ainsworth (uncredited)

Tropes and Themes
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
 * A murderous couple.
 * The murderer was cheating on the victim.
 * The murderer makes a false confession early on.
 * Miss Marple is injured.
 * Disguising the time of death.
 * The witnesses are intentionally misled.

Filming Locations

 * Hambleden, Berkshire - street scenes and church