Murder on the Links is the third episode of series six of Agatha Christie's Poirot. It was broadcast on 11 February 1996. The feature-length episode was based on the Agatha Christie novel by the same name and it was dramatized by Anthony Horowitz and directed by Andrew Grieve.
Synopsis
While Poirot and Hastings are enjoying their holiday in France, they are approached by Paul Renauld who fears for his life. The next day, his wife is found gagged and bound and the businessman himself lies dead on a nearby golf course. Poirot wagers the arrogant Giraud who is in charge of the case that he shall be the first to solve the crime.
Comparison with Original Novel
Spoiler warning: A spoiler is announced! The following section contains details about the plot of Murder on the Links and its adaptation.
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
- The setting is changed from Merlinville-sur-mer in the twenties to Deauville in 1936.
- In the book, Hercule Poirot is invited by Paul Renauld while in the adaptation Poirot is on holiday with Hastings in Deauville and the hotel they are staying is owned by Paul. It is in the hotel that Paul and Poirot meet.
- Paul Renauld's murder takes place only 10 years after the Beroldy murder (instead of 20 in the book) and as a result the character of Jack Renauld is changed to a stepson, with a strong motive to kill him. Arnold Beroldy’s profession changes slightly, and Georges Conneau changes to George Connor.
- The characters of Dulcie and Bella Duveen were merged. In this adaptation, Hastings does not meet Bella on the train. Rather he meets her in France. The final scene shows them kissing by the beach.
- Because Dulcie Duveen is not in the adaptation Marthe is killed by Renauld's secretary. Hastings does not couple with Dulcie at the end.
Spoilers end here.
Cast
- David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
- Hugh Fraser as Arthur Hastings
- Bill Moody as Giraud
- Damien Thomas as Paul Renauld
- Sophie Linfield as Marthe Daubreuil
- Katherine Fahey as Bernadette Daubreuil
- Jacinta Mulcahy as Bella Duveen
- Bernard Latham as Lucien Bex
- Ben Pullen as Jack Renauld
- Diane Fletcher as Eloise Renauld
- Terence Beesley as Stonor
- Andrew Melville as Dr Hautet
- Henrietta Voigts as Leonie
- James Vaughan as Adam Letts
- Ray Gatenby as a Station Master
- Randal Herley as the Judge
- Peter Yapp as a Lawyer
- Terry Raven as a Tramp
- Margaret Clifton as a Concierge
- Tim Berrington as a Golfer
- Howard Lee as a Golfer
- Joseph Morton as a Policeman
- Christopher Hammond as a Policeman
- Belinda Stewart-Wilson as a Dubbing Secretary
- Richard Bebb as a Newsreader
- Laurence Richardson as a Golfer
Tropes and themes
Filming Locations
- Deauville Train Station, 14800 Deauville, France
- Bd Léon et Robert Morane, Trouville-sur-Mer, Normandie, France
- Hotel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville, 38 Rue Jean Mermoz, 14800 Deauville, France - as Hotel du Golf
- Les Planches & promenade, 14800 Deauville, France
- La Villa Mauresque Et L'Escalier Du Serpent, Trouville-sur-Mer, Calvados, Normandie, France
