some less than inspired opening string music notwithstanding and we somehow know that from the word go this be head straight for the big fun drawer . by the time we observe monica dolan ( in a truly genius bit of cast ) delightfully goof it up a cora early on be already hook and but it be only later on when she reveal herself in her marvellous screen creation and that derange and scheme and maleficent queen of murder and deceit posing in the guise of the uptight miss gilchrist and that she not only effortlessly steal the entire telemovie for herself but quite simply blow off screen anyone who come near her and include the ever well measure david suchet who himself seem to be somewhat bedazzled by her acting talent and and very gentlemanly and allow her to take centre stage . dolan be the true engine of the film and her miss gilchrist a genuinely well rounded character in this christie rendition and help by a zesty script and the sprightly pace direction and also by the rest of the cast lead by geraldine james and dominic jephcott and who all display sign of sympathy for the give material and play with relish accordingly . the production value be spot on a usual and and if there be any weak link they might be locate in the comparatively substandard music score to the majority of late poirots and and also perhaps in the lacking of a genuine italian bear actor for the role of cora husband . other than that and this be an hour and a half of pure televisual delight which be a self indulgent and entertaining a it be lovingly put together .