I have seen two of them now. Christie is not a favorite of mine. I love mysteries, but I like character development and not just puzzles. However, I do like Miss Marple, both this one and the one who played the part last summer.

Nope, Nope, don't like this Miss Marple at all. Too subtle a characterization - strikes me as lifeless.

This was the third-the first two were Poirots.
I liked this Miss Marple better than the few with Geraldine McEwan-who I usually love-but she's not Miss Marple. For me, Joan Hickson was the real Miss Marple. Julia MacKenzie has the physical features for the character-McEwan is too tall, too angular-but it was Miss Marple light. Too much sweet old lady, not enough tough old bird. Hickson would have played this with more "avenging angel", as it is written in the book. She didn't go to grieve for Gladys-she went because she was angry. That did not come through.

I haven't watched this one but know Julia McKenzie from other productions, and have to agree with cece that Joan Hickson is Miss Marple to me. I thought she nailed the idea of the inquisitive old lady who fools everyone with her soft exterior.
David Suchet couldn't be surpassed as Poirot, IMHO, although I quite liked Peter Ustinov.

I am an Agatha Christie fan--have read all of them twice. Just saw both the latest Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple TV movies, definitely not in a class with the PBS versions of some years ago.

The character of Miss Marple played a minor role, compared to the books. The producers just don't believe an older woman can attract an audience or is believable as an intelligent, strong protagonist. They are wrong, of course.

They watered down the story and threw in some offensive language in a cheap attempt to be current. Very disappointing.

I enjoyed Julia McKenzie in the role, though I agree that her characterization was a little light. I would imagine we can contribute that to the director. Joan Hickson was the Miss Marple I loved best, sharp and subtle.

I'm really finding myself keenly disappointed in the pandering quality of many of the recent Masterpiece interpretations. It really is too bad. Here in the US we used to hope that American television would someday grow up and be more like the best of British television. It seems to me that sadly, just the reverse is happening.

Rosefolly

While I have not seen these latest Miss Marple programs I have to join the chorus that "Joan Hickson is Miss Marple" and David Suchet is Poirot.

gbg

Excellent point, Rosefolly, and I agree with the Joan Hickson-David Suchet opinion.

Now I am beyond annoyed. Why Didn't They Ask Evans was not in the Marple set-it was a stand-alone by Christie. She did not belong in the story at all. This last and the previous, which I just had a chance to watch on DVR, were so over-the-top I expected to see Vincent Price come through a secret door.