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The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb is the first episode of series 5 of the ITV British television drama series Agatha Christie's Poirot featuring David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, first broadcast on 17 January 1993 in the UK. It was directed by Peter Barber-Fleming with dramatisation by Clive Exton. The episode is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie short story of the same name.

Synopsis[]

Poirot and Hastings travel to Egypt to investigate the mystery surrounding a group of archaeologists who have been one after another dropping dead since they opened an allegedly cursed ancient tomb.

Comparison with Original Story[]

(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read)

  • The adaptation is fairly faithful to the original story with a small adjustment in timeline.
  • Hastings is in America when Rupert Bleibner returns and Poirot asks him to call on him. Shortly thereafter Hastings discovers that he has committed suicide. Hastings noted that Rupert was wearing white gloves--a hint not found in the original which proves relevant. Hastings also personally reads the suicide note which is worded along the lines of that in the original.
  • The name Tosswill is changed to Fosswell.
  • The relationship between Mr Bleibner (called Felix here) and Rupert does not seem as strained as in the original story.
  • Poirot is seen reading the Magic of the Egyptians and Chaldeans just as in the original story, but he does not draw symbols in the sand.
  • The rationale behind the figure of the man with the dog's head is changed. Here Poirot surmises as the end that the killer arranged it in order to frighten him. In the original, Poirot asked Hassan to do it.

superstiotious he is.

  • There is an additional scene where Hastings diverts Ames while Poirot searches his tent. What he finds also proves relevant to the solution.
  • In this adaptation, Miss Lemon obtains the details of Rupert's will and passes it on to Poirot by telephone.
  • The attempted poisoning of Poirot with chamomile tea takes place just as in the original. However there follows a denouement unique to the adaptation where he forces the killer Dr Ames out into the open. He explains while searching Ames's tent, he stole a bottle of chamugra oil. This alerts Ames that Poirot is closing in on the truth and this forces him to take drastic measures by trying to poison Poirot. Having been exposed at the denouement, Ames draws a pistol and tries to run off but Hassan has been briefed and stops him.

Cast[]

Filming Locations[]

  • Tabernas, Almiera, Spain
  • White Gables, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire
  • Florin Court, Charterhouse Square, London
  • The Plaza Hotel, 5th Avenue, Central Park South, New York
  • Ocean Terminal, Southampton Docks (since redeveloped)
  • King Rameses Statue, British Museum
  • New River Head (former Metropolitan Water Board Headquarters Building), 173 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London - staircase leading to Rupert Bleidner's New York apartment.

Gallery[]

Promotional Videos[]

See Also[]

References[]

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