Hercule Poirot is called upon by the British government after the Prime Minister is kidnapped in France whilst travelling to an important League of Nations disarmament conference. An attempt had already been made on the PMs life following a meeting with the King when he was shot at. Poirot races against time to find the PM before the conference starts. In addition, the Prime Minister's secretary, Commander Daniels (played by David Horovitch), and the chauffer, Egan (played by Jack Elliot), have also disappeared. Sir Bernard Dodge (played by Ronald Hines) is exasperated with Poirot because he focuses his enquiries in England as opposed to France where the kidnapping took place and will not use the destroyer provided by the state to take him there. Egan's address book interests Poirot, although Captain Hastings, Chief Inspector Japp and the government officials cannot for the life of them understand why. Commander Daniels is found bound and gagged in France and is brought back to Britain. To everyone's amazement, Poirot opts to question him when he apparently cannot tell him anything useful since he is suffering from amnesia as a result of a head injury. Yet, the detective, pleased with himself reveals that he has told him everything that he needed to know. On visiting Commander Daniels' estranged wife, Imogen (played by Lisa Harrow), with whom he had gone through a very messy and well-publicised divorce, Poirot instructs Hastings to follow her cautioning his friend that she is dangerous. The case concludes at a country mansion where Poirot uncovers a conspiracy involving people in very high places.
The Kidnapped Prime Minister is a highlight in this splendid series and a joy to watch from start to finish. Poirot's unusual methods of detection both baffle and exasperate officialdom since he appears to be visiting places and questioning people who cannot possibly tell him anything useful, or nothing that they hadn't already done so to the police. This allows for some good laughs like when Sir Bernard (well played by Ronald Hines) says "I haven't so much as seen him take out a magnifying glass" indicating that in his view that is how detectives operate. It also provides a lot of suspense in that we are kept wondering if the patience of the government officials will finally wear thin and have Poirot dismissed from the case. And, all the while, will the head of state come out of it alive? Japp also starts to fear for his job: "Bang goes my pension", he says, as he starts to wonder if his old friend isn't wasting time as well. The climax is good edge-of-seat stuff too involving a car chase between Captain Hastings and Commander Daniels' wife, Imogen, in two divine vintage sports cars through the English countryside. He loses her but Poirot's secretary, Miss Lemon, provides the vital clue with her small talk about the English aristocracy: "You English, you are all experts in the aristocracy", sighs Poirot. Here, we get to see the detective's dislike of the country's class system. Suchet had by now firmly established himself as the definitive Poirot while his regular co-stars: Hugh Fraser as Hastings, Philip Jackson as Japp and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon are on hand to provide the vital chemistry that complements his performance. The acting from the rest of the cast is also excellent with Lisa Harrow, David Horovitch and the aforementioned Ronald Hines being of particular note. The top notch direction is by Andrew Grieve.
The Kidnapped Prime Minister is a highlight in this splendid series and a joy to watch from start to finish. Poirot's unusual methods of detection both baffle and exasperate officialdom since he appears to be visiting places and questioning people who cannot possibly tell him anything useful, or nothing that they hadn't already done so to the police. This allows for some good laughs like when Sir Bernard (well played by Ronald Hines) says "I haven't so much as seen him take out a magnifying glass" indicating that in his view that is how detectives operate. It also provides a lot of suspense in that we are kept wondering if the patience of the government officials will finally wear thin and have Poirot dismissed from the case. And, all the while, will the head of state come out of it alive? Japp also starts to fear for his job: "Bang goes my pension", he says, as he starts to wonder if his old friend isn't wasting time as well. The climax is good edge-of-seat stuff too involving a car chase between Captain Hastings and Commander Daniels' wife, Imogen, in two divine vintage sports cars through the English countryside. He loses her but Poirot's secretary, Miss Lemon, provides the vital clue with her small talk about the English aristocracy: "You English, you are all experts in the aristocracy", sighs Poirot. Here, we get to see the detective's dislike of the country's class system. Suchet had by now firmly established himself as the definitive Poirot while his regular co-stars: Hugh Fraser as Hastings, Philip Jackson as Japp and Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon are on hand to provide the vital chemistry that complements his performance. The acting from the rest of the cast is also excellent with Lisa Harrow, David Horovitch and the aforementioned Ronald Hines being of particular note. The top notch direction is by Andrew Grieve.