The Adventure of Johnnie Waverly is the third episode of series 1 of the ITV British television drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot featuring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, first broadcast on 22 January 1989 in the UK. The episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story of the same name and was directed by Renny Rye with dramatisation by Clive Exton.
Synopsis[]
Country squire Marcus Waverly and his wife Ada ask Poirot to help before their son Johnnie is kidnapped. Surprisingly, the kidnappers had sent a note beforehand stating the exact time the kidnapping was to take place.
The TV adaptation is very faithful to the original story but with the addition of Miss Lemon, Captain Hastings and Chief Inspector Japp as characters. Poirot is brought into the case earlier, before the kidnapping has taken place.
Comparison with Original Story[]
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)
- In the original, it was both Mr. and Mrs. Waverley came to Poirot. When they came to Poirot the case had already happened and they are seeking for Poirot's help.
- In the adaptation however, only Mr. Waverley came and showed Poirot the blackmail letter hoping Poirot can help to avert the kidnap.
- Because the case already happened in the original, therefore most of the first part of the episode (from beginning until Johnnie's kidnap) are told to Poirot and Hastings at their office instead of they went to spend a night over like the adaptation.
- One major difference is the tunnel. In the adaptation, it's a secret tunnel for priest to escape. In the original however, it is called a 'priest hole'.
- In the adaptation, it is said that the person abduct Johnnie and leave through the tunnel. In the original, the person simply snuck Johnnie into the hole and gave him a toy to play with in order to shut him up. After the fuss are over, only then they snuck Johnnie out of the house.
Cast[]
- David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
- Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings
- Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
- Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
- Geoffrey Bateman as Marcus Waverly
- Julia Chambers as Ada Waverly
- Dominic Rougier as Johnnie Waverly
- Patrick Jordan as Tredwell
- Carol Frazer as Jessie Withers
- Sandra Freeman as Miss Collins
- Robert Putt as Rogers
- Patrick Connor as Hughes
- Phillip Manikum as Sergeant
- Jona Jones as Constable
- Jonathan Magnanti as Policeman
- Samantha Beckinsale as Barmaid
Tropes and themes[]
- Poirot's enjoyment of good food. He is disappointed with the meagre breakfast at Waverly Court, goes to a pub and orders a full English breakfast with great relish. In Yellow Iris he seems to dislike the idea of a full English breakfast.
- Hasting's hobbys
- Cars - he has been accepted for the 24 Hours for Le Mans race. He excitedly tells Ada Waverly about this. Later, his car runs out of petrol at the worst possible moment. Poirot prefers to use the train to return to London at the end.
Filming Locations[]
- Wrotham Park, Barnet, Hertfordshire[1] - Waverly Court
- The Bull and Butcher, Turville, Henley on Thames[2] - where Hastings and Poirot have breakfast
- The Bluebell Railway, Horsted Keynes Station[3] - Poirot decides to return to London by train