Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced

TV Mini Series
1985
53m

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Samantha Bond, John Castle, Paola Dionisotti, Joan Hickson, Elaine Ives-Cameron, Mary Kerridge, Ralph Michael, Simon Shepherd, Joan Sims, Matthew Solon, Sylvia Syms, and Kevin Whately in Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced (1985)

An unusual announcement in the newspaper leads the curious villagers to Miss Blacklock's home, where they become witnesses to a murder.An unusual announcement in the newspaper leads the curious villagers to Miss Blacklock's home, where they become witnesses to a murder.An unusual announcement in the newspaper leads the curious villagers to Miss Blacklock's home, where they become witnesses to a murder.

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See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

2.7K

YOUR RATING

Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Episodes3

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Season 1985

Trivia
Although Inspector Craddock is depicted meeting Miss Marple for the first time, he is identified as her nephew in Miss Marple: The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side (1992).

Goofs
When the corpse of Rudi Scherz is being examined and his mask is pulled off, he shuts his eyes tighter and then relaxes them again.

Quotes
[Mrs Harmon nearly trips over her cat]
Mrs. Harmon: Oh, do be careful, Delilah!
Det. Inspector Craddock: Delilah?
Mrs. Harmon: My husband named her that. I'm afraid her moral standards are rather similar!

Alternate versions
The song Hinch sings while Murgatroyd is murdered varies from version to version. For example, the late-90s US Warner VHS uses "Shall We Dance?" and the 2014 US Blu-ray and DVD use "Got the Sun in the Mornin' (and the Moon at Night)", as now indicated on IMDb. IMDb's and other soundtrack listings mention or used to mention "Sing for Your Supper" and that may be a third alternative. It is unclear so far if this is a localization or copyright issue, or which if any is the "correct" song. (See also goofs.)

Connections
Featured in Arena: Agatha Christie - Unfinished Portrait (1990)

User reviews38

Featured review

10/10

Definitive version

I can understand why many people see this as the best of Joan Hickson's adaptations. The production values are so high, the casting director did a fantastic job and got every characterisation spot on. ITV's remake I did enjoy and compares well with this one, partly because it moves at a pace. This version is far more intricate, more detailed and of course more true to the novel. Joan Hickson was of course born to play Miss Marple, to this day I don't think anyone catch match her, she was incredible. It's funny, I was 5 when this was transmitted, and I have a vivid memory of the scene where Miss Murgatryod is strangled with her washing, think that's why I was so keen to watch them again (and again.) As with all Agatha Christie's it's the endings I enjoy, and this is one of the best, if you've not seen it, you are missing out. Ursula Howells, Renee Asherson and Paola Dionisotti are particularly brilliant. a definite no questions asked 10/10