Friday, May 7, 2021

The Mirror Crack'd (1980)

An excellent Agatha Christie adaptation packed full of stars. Hollywood has invaded a quiet English village to make a film being directed by Jason Rudd (Rock Hudson) and starring wife Marina (Elizabeth Taylor). However, at a reception local girl Heather (Maureen Bennett) dies of poisoning. Was the poison really intended for Marina?

Miss Marple (Angela Lansbury) and her nephew Inspector Craddock (Edward Fox) investigate the murder in their own separate ways. There are a number of suspects including the shifty producer Martin (Tony Curtis) and Marina's unstable rival Lola (Kim Novak). But was the crime not quite as it appears?

A delightful film that really plays up the contrast between the hysteria and exaggeration of Hollywood and the staid conservatism of a 1950s English village. The film doesn't move very quickly but it certainly is highly enjoyable.