Given the negative comments a number of reviewers made about this remake, I went back and re-watched the Hickson version. I very much prefer the McEwan version. The bright, crisp cinematography is more appealing to me than the dark, muted, overly soft cinematography in the Hickson version. Also, the supporting cast is so vivid and engaging in the remake; especially Simon Callow and Joanna Lumley - their performances were an absolute delight. This story was one of my favorite Christie stories and this rendition did it justice even though there was a significant change that understandably many found unnecessary. As often with Christie there is an overly elaborate murder plot but all the clues are there for the viewer. One thing that caught my eye was that there was a poster in Josie's room from the movie Gun Crazy. Although it now has somewhat of a following (and quite small, I'm sure) it was never an A picture and It seems unlikely that it was shown much, if at all, in Britain. This show was a winner.
Review of The Body in the Library
