'Towards Zero' is a favourite Christie book of many but not me! I'm not sure why...perhaps it's the rather chilly cast of characters or the (often) rather unlikely plot. That said, this is a good adaptation of the book and generally very faithful. Miss Marple does not appear in the book and in this outing she seems more out of place than she did in 'Ordeal By Innocence' - I'm not convinced that her presence adds anything.
The film is beautifully shot and there is some good acting, particularly from Eileen Atkins as the acerbic Lady Tressilian, Greg Wise as Neville Strange and Julie Graham as a perfect Mary Aldin. Some are not so convincing (Zoe Tapper, Alan Davies) but no-one is really bad though Tom Baker is inclined to go rather over the top as usual.
I felt that bits of the narrative were too rushed and Miss Marple's arrival at the identity of the murderer none too clear. Indeed the end denouement is the weakest part of the film ('if it hadn't been for you Miss Marple, you old busybody' complains the murderer, sounding like the baddie in Scooby Doo!) Overall though, this is an enjoyable film and one I will certainly watch again.
The film is beautifully shot and there is some good acting, particularly from Eileen Atkins as the acerbic Lady Tressilian, Greg Wise as Neville Strange and Julie Graham as a perfect Mary Aldin. Some are not so convincing (Zoe Tapper, Alan Davies) but no-one is really bad though Tom Baker is inclined to go rather over the top as usual.
I felt that bits of the narrative were too rushed and Miss Marple's arrival at the identity of the murderer none too clear. Indeed the end denouement is the weakest part of the film ('if it hadn't been for you Miss Marple, you old busybody' complains the murderer, sounding like the baddie in Scooby Doo!) Overall though, this is an enjoyable film and one I will certainly watch again.