Poirot (TV Series) The Mystery of the Spanish Chest (1991) User Reviews

"Firstly I am not a bloody little frog, I am a bloody little Belgian"

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 28 October 2010]

While one of the lesser Poirot adaptations it is still memorable. The pacing is a little uneven, Ken Grieve's direction is merely okay and I guessed the identity of the murderer halfway through too. However, it is beautifully filmed with a great background score, complete with a very chilling murder method, atmospheric opening sequence and the duel in the past. And I loved Poirot's indignation at being called a "bloody little frog" hence the review's title. The acting is typically fine with David Suchet outstanding, Hugh Fraser and Phillip Jackson solid and Caroline Langrische breathtakingly beautiful. Overall, good but not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The Mystery of the Spanish Chest

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 14 February 2018]

I think the director should take credit for the pacing and how well constructed the episode is even though the initial story might be a bit slight. From the flashbacks to a duel, trying to keep you guessing who the murderer is by trying to hide scarface, then leaving the viewer to contemplate that this was a really gruesome murder.

Poirot is approached by Lady Chatterton who was a suspect in an earlier case and she tells him that she thinks her friend Marguerite Clayton (Caroline Langrishe) is in danger from her husband. Mrs Clayton is a great beauty who had many admirers and Lady Chatterton could not understand why she married a man like him.

Poirot attends a party so he can observe Mr Clayton but he never shows up. Inspector Japp turns up the next day to inform Poirot that he might had been a witness to his murder. His body was contained in a Spanish chest on the evening of the party.

Major Rich is arrested, a man recently widowed and who has spent a lot of time with Marguerite.

An enjoyable episode even though it is easy to figure who the charmless culprit is. A bonus is that you get to see Poirot doing the Charleston.

One of the darker episodes.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 30 October 2015]

Poirot and Hastings visit the opera, there they meet Lady Chatterton, who explains the danger facing a friend Mrs Clayton, who's husband Edward is a violent man.

Poirot's dancing is to be seen to be believed, it is a hilarious moment. That's the lighter side to what is a very dark episode, the story is quite deep, and the murder itself is one of Christie's nastiest, one worthy of belonging in a horror film.

I think the highlight of the episode must be the opening sequences, very atmospheric, they set the tone of the episode well.

Solidly acted, Pip Torrens is perfectly cast as Major Rich, Caroline Langrishe is incredibly beautiful, she truly looks the part, I understand the infatuation with her.

If this episode tells you anything, it's never climb into people's furniture.

The usual production values apply, it looks good, Major Rich's room in particular looks so smart.

It's a good solid episode, more memorable for the gruesome murder then the story. 7/10

Was the opening sequence necessary?

[hamsa-43622 · 8/10 · 30 June 2016]

This is certainly one of the best episodes of Poirot; the crime is grisly, the music chilling, the cinematography perfect as always, the supporting characters' well-cast, and David Suchet and Hugh Fraser are in top form. I particularly enjoyed the comedy track centered around Poirot's blatant conceit.

The remainder of the episode save the Poirot-Hastings scenes is quite bleak. The murderer is unusually ruthless and cruel as evidenced from his chosen method of crime, and the haunting beauty of the central character lends itself to the somber feel of the story. Caroline Langrishe looks as lovely as a Vermeer portrait in her role as Marguerite Clayton. But although this episode is enjoyable for all the reasons stated above, was the inclusion of the opening fencing sequence really necessary? I agree that the scene was well-shot, but it clearly reveals the identity of the murderer. He is instantly recognizable as one of the participants when he appears later on in the story, and what would be the point of the opening sequence if not connected with a very important character (the murderer)? It's at least a little difficult to guess the identity of the murderer when reading the actual story, and this episode makes it all too easy. Also, the fencing sequence at the end is equally needless and seems almost cartoonish - totally not in keeping with the tone of the rest of the episode. Poirot is dealing with a dangerous murderer here and instead of calling the cops, he chooses to let the killer fence out his differences to his heart's content with the other chap vying for his girl. More than a tad ludicrous.

an awful murder, but an excellent episode

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 26 September 2014]

"The Mystery of the Spanish Chest" is from 1991 and is a wonderful entry into the Poirot series.

Someone Poirot has previously met, Lady Chatterton, approaches Poirot and requests his help - she believes a friend of hers, Marguerite Clayton (Caroline Langrishe) is in danger of being murdered by her husband Edward (Malcolm Sinclair). Apparently he has quite a temper.

Poirot is invited to a party so that he can meet Clayton. Clayton never arrives. The next day, Inspector Japp shows up and informs Poirot that he was the unknowing witness to a murder. Edward Clayton's body was found in a Spanish chest, which was in the same room as the party.

A Major Rich is arrested -- he is a friend of Marguerite's and a suspected love interest of hers. Poirot believes in Rich's innocent, and ultimately figures out who did it and how it was done.

This was a particularly gruesome murder in a story that has an atmosphere of sophistication, as so many of the Poirot episodes do, and a real feeling of the '30s. Poirot, immaculately portrayed by David Suchet, is in rare form, admitting to Hastings that he cannot act when complimented by blushing, muttering thank you, or dropping his eyes. He is the best! Why pretend? Hastings thinks he could dial it back a little.

It was a joy to see the lovely Caroline Langrishe as Marguerite. I remember her so fondly from Lovejoy and Clive Owen's big break, Chancer.

Interesting but rather obvious

[grantss · 7/10 · 5 August 2016]

Lady Chatterton approaches Hercule Poirot with a case. She believes that a friend, Marguerite Clayton, is in danger of being murdered by her husband. To observe the Claytons, Poirot attends a party of theirs, though Mr Clayton has been called away on business. Nothing eventful appears to happen but the next day Poirot is informed by Chief Inspector Japp that Mr Clayton was murdered that night, his body being found in a large Spanish chest. The chest was in the middle of the party the whole time.

Reasonably interesting, especially as to the murder method. The culprit is fairly obvious from even before the murder is committed. No twists, no red herrings - quite straightforward.

As always, Hastings provides the naivety and humour and sub-plots. This time he's filling in as Poirot's PA while Miss Lemon is away and is not particularly good his duties.

Gruesome murder that perplexed Poirot

[SimonJack · 8/10 · 5 February 2018]

The title gives a good hint about the murder in this Agatha Christie mystery. And, the master sleuth, Hercule Poirot, seems perplexed for some time about the murder that he investigates. "The Mystery of the Spanish Chest" is a plot of much intrigue.

For the longest time, Poirot assumes, as does Chief Inspector Japp, that Edward Clayton was murdered and then his body placed in the chest. And, even after Poirot sees the hole in the chest and then finds sawdust on an inside lip below the hole, he doesn't make the connection. Only later, after finding the drill among the dead man's belongings, does he realize how the murder must have happened.

For all of its build-up to add to the intrigue, this Christie story also has some weak aspects that aren't mentioned or that are glossed over. The carpet has been removed for cleaning because it had been soaked with blood. But what about the wood chest itself? To have sat over night, the blood would surely have left a stain on some of the wood. At the very least, there would have been dried blood inside and on the outside of the chest. And what about the sawdust inside the chest? It wasn't dispersed or spread by contact with the body when it was removed. Nor did the police see it in their inspection of the crime scene.

Then, there's the fact about how Clayton was killed. Surely the police and Poirot would have seen that a sword, knife or other tool had run through his eye and into his brain. His eye socket would have been quite gruesome. And, that would lead back to the chest and the hole. But, there's not even any discussion of that most unusual method of murder.

So, this story scores well for its intrigue, but weak for too many things missing that most surely would have been seen in a true thorough investigation of the crime scene. The film has some of the usual clever and funny situations with dialog. Here are some favorites.

Captain Hastings, "I didn't know you were so keen on opera, Poirot. Hercule Poirot, "Generally, mon ami, I am not. But Rigoletto..."

Lady Chatterton, "And I must say, you were wonderful." Hercule Poirot, "Yes." Hastings frowns at Poirot.

Hercule Poirot, "Do you think it wrong Hastings, to enjoy the compliments, or the buttering as you say? Captain Hastings, "No, but uh, do you have to show it quite so much?" Poirot, "Perhaps it is Belgian. Hastings, why should I be the hypocrite? The blush when I am praised, and to say, like you, 'It is nothing?' No! I have the order, the method and the psychology. There, I admit it. I am the best. I am Hercule Poirot."

Lady Chatterton, "You're not dancing, Monsieur Poirot." Hercule Poirot, "Oh, no, no, no, Lady Chatterton. This music is for the young people with the limbs that are supple."

Hercule Poirot, "Did you mark about his scar, Hastings?" Captain Hastings, "Yes. You probably need one to be a member here."

Chief Inspector Japp, "I don't know why I bother sometimes. I may as well stay home and do my garden. Who do you want me to arrest now?"

Hercule Poirot, "Two things, Colonel Curtis. Firstly, I am not a bloody little frog. I am a bloody little Belgian."

Captain Hastings, responding to Poirot's humble reply to praise from Marguerite Clayton, "Nothing? Lucky?" Hercule Poirot, "I am learning, Hastings. It is more English, yes, the humbleness? Hah, I am learning. I shall be the most humble person in the world. No one shall match Hercule Poirot for his humbility (sic)."

Poirot dances the Charleston

[kaberi-893-642316 · 7/10 · 12 June 2016]

This episode was amusing but not remarkable. The overall outline is quite similar to the original story: a man is found hidden in a large chest,stabbed to death, and the man who is suspected of having an affair with his beautiful wife is arrested. It seems the suspect, Major Rich, killed the man, stuffed him into a chest, and then later that evening hosted a party at his home, with the man still dead lying in the chest in the same room all along. In the original story, Poirot is brought in afterwards to investigate, but for the purposes of this episode, Poirot actually attends the party, and at one point very reluctantly agrees to dance with the lady he escorted to the party. Who knew Poirot could dance the Charleston? I would have pegged him as more of a waltz man myself.

At any rate, the rest of the plot line is what you would expect: he questions, he discovers clues, he asks Inspector Japp to arrest someone, strictly for the purpose of drawing the real murderer out of hiding. There are a few good lines here, but the best is reserved for the great man himself: when he is called, by a typical xenophobic Englishman, "a bloody little Frog", Poirot summons all his dignity and cries, "I am not a bloody little Frog! I am a bloody little Belgian!" And, as usual, the bloody little Belgian gets his man.

Disturbingly entertaining

[mirkobozic · 6 January 2016]

Hercule Poirot is invited to a party where a man's body is later found in a Spanish chest in the very room where the party took place. He uncovers a background story of jealousy, back-stabbing (or eye-stabbing in this case) and utter cruelty that leads him to the murderer. This particular installment of the Poirot series has all the usual qualities we're used to- Suchet's faultless performance, the period- correct production design, wonderful costumes and a twisted killer. What particularly stands out in this episode is the beautiful Mrs Clayton, who strangely resembles the Princess of Wales, as someone had already pointed out. Also, we get a pause from the usual stabbings, poisonings and shootings with maybe the most creative murder method in the older episodes, which involves the victim's eyes.

Hypnotically glamorous

[martin-intercultural · 10/10 · 24 May 2019]

The story is intriguing yet easy to follow, the reveal quite unexpected. But what truly steals the show is the sheer elegance of the lovingly recreated 1930s interiors. Even by the series' already high standards of authenticity, this episode feels like a slice of life, just as the smart Belgravia set once lived it. Vintage Poirot.

"I shall be the most humble person in the world. No one will match Hercule Poirot for his humbility."

[bensonmum2 · 7/10 · 5 August 2015]

Poirot is asked to help Marguerite Clayton whose husband has a reputation for a bad temper. Friends fear that Edward Clayton may one day murder his wife. Poirot agrees to attend a party so that he might meet the husband, but unfortunately, Clayton never arrives. More unfortunately, however, is that Clayton's violently murdered body is found the next morning in a large chest. The murder appears to have been committed right under Poirot's nose as the chest is in the same room where the party was held.

While the Mystery of the Spanish Chest is an awfully interesting and compelling episode, the mystery isn't overly difficult to solve. Once Poirot finds the hole in the chest, it's fairly easy to see where things are headed. Still, this is Poirot so there still a lot to like. The murder here is as gruesome as you'll find in a Poirot episode. When you think about the method of murder, the ocular trauma, it's like something out of a 70s Italian horror movie. It's so Argento-esque. I love it. I could go through the usual laundry list of positives, but I'll stick to the acting. I was particularly excited to see the beautiful Caroline Langrishe as Marguerite Clayton. I probably first saw Langrishe in the final season of Lovejoy. While I hated the character, I've loved the actress ever since.

Another excellent adaptation, well acted and directed with drive.

[jamesraeburn2003 · 9/10 · 5 September 2023]

Hercule Poirot meets Lady Chatterton (played by Antonia Pemberton) whilst at the opera. She tells him that she believes her friend, the glamorous Marguerite Clayton (played by Caroline Langrishe) will be murdered by her husband Edward (played by Malcolm Sinclair). Clayton buys a knife and confides in his friend, Colonel Curtiss (played by John McEnery), that he believes his wife is having an affair with Major Rich (played by Pip Torrens). Poirot is invited to a party at the home of the latter through Lady Chatterton. Clayton had appeared there earlier to see Major Rich, but disappeared soon after. On the morning after the party, the butler Burgoyne (played by Peter Copley) discovers Clayton's body concealed in a huge Spanish chest, which sits in the very room that the party occurred hidden behind a screen after blood had seeped through onto the carpet. Chief Inspector Japp visits Poirot and tells him that Clayton had been stabbed through the eye with a sword and, chillingly, his body must have sat in that chest whilst the party was in full swing with the revellers being none the wiser. He also reveals that he has Major Rich in custody for the murder. Poirot believes him to be innocent, however, and discovers that there was nothing between Major Rich and Marguerite other than friendship. On examining the Spanish chest, Poirot discovers a tiny hole that appears to have been made with a hand drill. Meanwhile, Poirot and Captain Hastings only just prevent Marguerite from committing suicide. With the co-operation of Japp, Poirot stages a plan to force the killer to show his or her hand.

All in all, The Mystery Of The Spanish Chest is another excellent dramatization of one of Agatha Christie's short stories. Performances are first rate all round with John McEnery particularly good as the arrogant Colonel Curtis. Caroline Langrishe and Pip Torrens also score in their roles as Marguerite Clayton and Major Rich while veteran character actor Peter Copley is also good in a minor role as the accused man's butler Burgoyne. David Suchet is as good as ever as Poirot and, by now, he had firmly established himself as the best actor to have played the role. Hugh Fraser and Philip Jackson offer their usual excellent support as Captain Hastings and the Yard man, Chief Inspector Japp. Directed with drive by series stalwart Andrew Grieve, the final confrontation between Poirot and the murderer is a good one and there is a spirited swordfight between the latter and the framed man who comes to the detective's aid.

Agatha spoons another horror from the stock of nightmares.

[Autlan · 7/10 · 6 September 2006]

As I recall this episode it pulls shivers up my spine. The episodes in the television adaptation of Poirot were a bit hit-and-miss, but the particularly brutal murder method in this episode found solid anchor in my brain and still lies tethered thirteen years later. It's so memorable that the mere mention of the series or a even just a glance at another episode brings back this horrid mish mash of Nyctophobia, Claustrophobia and ghoulish ocular trauma.

Imagine yourself trapped inside a trunk -- though matchbox coffin might be more apt. You know the lid isn't locked in place. You could leave if you really wanted, but to escape would reveal yourself to a room that would find you so socially abhorrent that you can just about ignore the nagging compulsion. Light intrudes through a keyhole and those cramps in your constricted limbs, begging for the closest release, persuade you to peer into the glaring stream. As your eye adjusts at a distance that allows unobstructed survey of the room, a long thin object blocks your vision; it punctures your cornea, pushes swiftly through your retina and follows the optic nerve deep into your brain. Here you will remain, undiscovered until the morning, in what you correctly identified as your coffin.

Fanfiction from Anthony Horowitz.

[user-17224 · 1/10 · 25 October 2019]

Writer Anthony Horowitz added Colonel Curtiss's dialog about Porirot being a fenchfrog and that the music at the party was from inferor races. And there is much more

Right in the Eye of the Beholder.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 27 May 2014]

Diverting, as usual. It begins in sepia with an old-fashioned saber duel in which one swordsman has his face slashed Fencers are now thoroughly protected by face masks and head gear. I'd always wondered how those students at Heidelberg managed to acquire so many scars on their cheeks. The episode shows us. The swordsman's bodies are fully protected except for the head and face above a stiff leather collar, where the only protection consists of mesh goggles.

It's a complicated story. A man loves a woman and eggs her jealous husband on until the husband commits a stupid act and is murdered by another man who also loves the wife. If you can believe a husband would climb into an old Spanish chest in a room where a party is being held, just in order to spy on his wife, you can believe anything.

Three men love Marguerite Clayton. All this adoration is understandable. The series had a tendency to introduce toothsome blonds in prominent roles and Caroline Langrishe is a fine example of the species, with her flawless features and cool green eyes. Yum.

I thought the murderer was more or less obvious. He's always hanging around in the background, showing up from time to time to natter some people and threaten others. He seems to have no other function. Yet I felt sorry for the poor fellow. He's no Ronald Coleman. He's older, scarred, abrasive, and strikes me as rather ugly.

It would have been nice if the fencing scenes (there are two of them) had been extended and better choreographed but you can't have everything. In each case, the weapons are sabers, which are awesome and serious devices.

Penelope Cruz has nothing to do with it

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 10 January 2008]

Hercule Poirot is approached by an old lady who asks him to keep an eye on her young friend; she is afraid that her husband might be planning to kill her. Poirot goes to a party to meet this man, but he does not come. What's more, the following day his body is discovered inside a big Spanish chest that was in the same room where the party took place. And the house belongs to a man who may have had more than a friendly affection for the young woman....

A lesser episode in the "Poirot" series. For one thing, I was able to guess the murderer correctly (though admittedly not his entire plan and method) about halfway through - to avoid explicit spoilers, let's just say after the phrase "Did you notice the scar?". But it does have some atmospheric touches (like the opening sequence, a sword duel in the past), and Caroline Langrishe is quite possibly the second most beautiful actress to appear in the series up to this point, after Polly Walker of "Peril at End House". (**1/2)

Very Interesting and unusual

[ctyankee1 · 16 June 2011]

A man who is in love with his friend Mr Clayton's wife plants thought's into Mr Clayton's head that his wife is unfaithful. He taunts him for months and convinces Mr Clayton to catch his wife by planting himself in a Spanish Chest at the house of the man she supposed to be cheating with a Colonel Curtiss'. Mr Curtiss is having a house party Clayton's wife is attending. The following day Mr Clayton turns up dead in the Spanish Chest in Colonel Curtiss' house. Hard to believe. Who would get in a casket like chest to catch their wife.

The lady that plays Mrs Clayton, Caroline Langrishe looks so much like Princess Diana of Wales, very beautiful, same kind of eyes. She probably could play the part of the Princess in a movie or play.

Anyway, I love the Poirot series and his side kicks, Inspector Japp and Hastings are always fun to watch. Miss Lemon was not in this episode