It's fairly safe to state that the best entries in the "Agatha Christie's Marple" series are the ones that are also based on actual Miss Marple novels. The series exists of 23 feature films, whereas the amazing Mrs. Christie only ever wrote 12 novels with Miss Marple as protagonist. These 12 were all adapted into screenplays, evidently, as well as 2 short stories merged into one, but for the remaining ten others, the creators of the show based themselves on non-Marple murder whodunits, and then processed Miss Marple into them. Although always enjoyable, and sometimes even downright good movies, the actual Marple adaptations are slightly better, simply because they come across as more natural. "They do it with Mirrors" is such a Marple-original, and easily one of the best - say, top five - films of the series.
What else contributes to this being a great effort? Agatha Christie's marvelously twisted and imaginative plot, of course! The setting is terrific, with murder and attempted murder in an aristocratic family that also runs a reform-institution for delinquent young men, jealousy, adultery, former lovers and theatrical red herrings. The performances are also stellar, with as most astounding names Brian Cox and Joan Collins. The latter sadly only has a minor role, but - the diva she is - steals the show in every sequence she appears. After three installments, I also finally accepted Julia McKenzie as the replacement of the - in my humble opinion - far superior Geraldine McEwan.
What else contributes to this being a great effort? Agatha Christie's marvelously twisted and imaginative plot, of course! The setting is terrific, with murder and attempted murder in an aristocratic family that also runs a reform-institution for delinquent young men, jealousy, adultery, former lovers and theatrical red herrings. The performances are also stellar, with as most astounding names Brian Cox and Joan Collins. The latter sadly only has a minor role, but - the diva she is - steals the show in every sequence she appears. After three installments, I also finally accepted Julia McKenzie as the replacement of the - in my humble opinion - far superior Geraldine McEwan.