Julia McKenzieAgatha Christie’s Marple: Series 5

I'm starting in reverse with this series, buying the AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE SEASON 5 BLU-RAY first. I've seen some of the series that starred Joan Hickson  Miss Marple - 3 Feature Length Mysteries (The Body in the Library / A Murder Is Announced / A Pocketful of Rye) , which I enjoyed, and so I figured I give the newer series a try.The reason I started with Season 5 is because I read that Joanna Lumley ( Absolutely Fabulous: Complete Series 1 ) was in one of the episodes and I adore her, so I figured I'd start here. Also, Seasons 1-4 are not available on Blu-Ray. And there was an actress change from Geraldine McEwan to Julia McKenzie in the role of Miss Jane Marple, but I don't know why.Anyway, I enjoyed watching Season 5 and since I really haven't read any of the books, except for "The Blue Geranium," which I thought was from Sherlock Holmes -- I read it in high school -- and it was another reason I started with this season, I can't really say whether or not substantial changes have been made to characters or story-lines.I can say that each episode, they're actually like feature length movies, are fun, riveting, and the scenery is exquisite. The cinematography is fantastic and each mystery will have you guessing up until the last minute.Julia McKenzie does a great job in the role of "Miss Jane Marple," as she's a little more sprightlier than Joan Hickson (whom many believe to be the definitive "Marple"), and has slightly more elegance than the disheveled (but endearing) portrayal by Geraldine McEwan. Joanna Lumley is fabulous as "Dolly Bantry" and she's also featured in Season 1 (I just got the Season 1-3 McEwan MARPLE on DVD) as the same character.I'm not sure why but the DVD version of MARPLE SERIES (SEASON) 5 doesn't include "The Pale Horse." I almost bought it accidentally when I was ordering the previous seasons since it's available as a separate DVD  Agatha Christie's Marple: The Pale Horse , but luckily I checked because the MARPLE SERIES 5 BLU-RAY includes The Pale Horse!Here's the specials on the Blu-Rays:*** SPECIAL FEATURES ****** THE MIRROR CRACK'D FROM SIDE TO SIDE ***"Agatha Christie's Garden" - 01-hour:09-secondsThis hour long featurette hosted by Pam Ferris shows the wonderful garden that was Christie's sanctuary."Greenway Garden" - 03-minutes:06-secondsThe history of the Greenway Garden, which is on the property that Christie and her husband lived on the "Greenway Estate.""Remembering Agatha" - 03-minutes:18-secondsGrandson Mathew Prichard talks about his famous grandmother."Agatha's Writing" - 02-minutes:56-secondsVarious writers discuss Christie's writing style and why it was so beloved by many.*** THE PALE HORSE (this has the new version with McKenzie too)***"The Pale Horse" - 1996 Version - 01-hour:41-minutes:27-secondsThis earlier adaptation has a different plot twist and Miss Marple isn't the crime solver (in fact, she's not in it at all). In this version, a friend of one of the victims, a suspect, and a budding investigator/police aide come together to solve the crime. I'm not sure why this was not included on the DVD set, but it is here on the Blu-Ray.Picture and sound quality is outstanding. If you enjoy mysteries than I would definitely recommend MARPLE SERIES (SEASON) 5 BLURAY, since you get "The Pale Horse" movie as well.

Entertaining

I think we have watched all the Miss Marple shows. Great rider and well casted.

Any Agatha Christie fan should watch. I wonder when Prime will get the most recent ones and the most recent Midsomer Murders....

Over the years, I have read all of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries and watched all of the modern film iterations of Miss Marple, played by everyone from the marvelous Joan Hickson to the latest grand dame, Julia McKenzie. Not surprisingly, my enjoyment of the series varied somewhat as each actress brought a different interpretation to the lead character and each production had its own atmosphere and style. The quality of the acting has never faltered, however, and many of Britain's finest actors have appeared in these mysteries. Series 5 with Julia McKenzie is a special delight. I was surprised at how lavish and rich the production quality is, how perfect the period details are -- especially in "The Mirror Crack'd." Joanna Lumley figured prominently in this episode and she is picture-perfect as Miss Marple's slightly ditsy and delightfully nosy friend, Dolly. Just to watch these two marvelous actresses interact is a joy. Lindsay Duncan also gives a first-rate performance. As the series moves on, the style and feel of each episode changes a bit and real injections of menace, tension, and fear are palpable. These are contrasted with the down-to-earth, determined and practical calm of McKenzie's Miss Marple. In essence, then, Series 5 is a wonderful collection -- rich, nuanced, and rather splendid.

As always, Amazon Instant Video is wonderfully clear and fast-streaming. We use the PC & Roku for Amazon's services... and I'm never disappointed. Regarding Marple Season 5, the episodes were really great. This series is my favorite of all the productions of Miss Marple stories... even above the Joan Hickson classics from the 1980's. The best of British actors seem to pop up in every episode, and the production captures the early 1950's in such a beautiful way. The Pale Horse is the best I think of the 4 episodes in this group. It has some great twisting & turning. The Mirror Crack'd From Side to Side has always been one of my favorite stories, and this version didn't disappoint me at all. Lindsay Duncan does justice to the part of Marina Gregg, and Joanna Lumley is great in anything she does. For those of you that want episodes that adhere strictly to the original stories, this series may not be for you. Some liberty has been taken here and there with characters and some plotlines. I'm not bothered by this so I found them to be wonderful adaptations.

Since the Miss Marple series with Joan Hickson was the absolute "perfect" Marple in voice, bearing and appearance, no other series will ever measure up for me. However, since the series with Julia McKenzie stirs the stories themselves up a bit, you dont have to compare apples and apples. This series strays from the original story lines giving Christie fans a jolt since they will see Tommmy and Tuppence along side Miss Marple and the character you KNOW did it will end up innocent after all!I have watched the Joan Hickson series in VHS and in DVD and now from online libraries and can still recommend this series to those who are devoted fans.Very entertaining rewrites of Agatha Christie's mysteries with a comfortable and charming, if not "perfect", Miss Marple by Julia McKenzie.

Super Serie

Llego en perfecto estado y antes de lo esperado. Buena definicion. Estoy encantada. Viene con todos los dvds. Recomendadisimo sibretodo para los amantes de Miss Marple

This series 5 continues an excellent presentation of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple in all its forms. A superb presentation, by an excellent actress. Well worth the price.- and closed captioned for those of us who need that bonus.

Proprio per questo motivo a volte si discostano dall'originale( ne "Il geranio blu" ad esempio sono stati aggiunti personaggi e situazioni trattandosi di un racconto breve). Nulla da segnalare per quanto riguarda puntualità e integrità del pacco: tutto perfettamente a posto! Per chi non lo sapesse non sono presenti nè la lingua italiana nè i sottotitoli in italiano.

J'avais eu l'occasion de signaler mon manque d'enthousiasme pour une Miss Marple, après la prestation de Joan Hickson, qui restela meilleure, à ce jour, mais, il faut avouer que cette Julia Mckenzie campe à nouveau une Miss Marple très crédible.De plus, l'ambiance rendue est telle que dans les romans.Et même si la fidélité au roman, de par l'histoire n'est pas aussi complète qu'on le voudrait, l'adaptation permetd'apprécier à nouveau tout le talent de notre chère Agatha Christie pour les intrigues, sa connaissance de la nature humainesi importante dans le déroulement de l'écheveau que Jane Marple déroule pour nous.Vraiment une série qui relance à nouveau le charme de ces adaptations, et de ces décors so british !!!! A apprécier, c'est sûr !!