Poirot "The Million Dollar Bond Robbery" #3.3 (1991) (TV)

"Hastings, it is twenty years ago that I came to this country in a boat across the channel. And still I am not recovered.", 31 July 2015

The London & Scottish Bank is set to transfer $1 million in bonds to their offices in New York (on the maiden voyage of the Queen Mary no less). But after the planned courier, Mr. Shaw, has two brushes with death and is left bed-ridden, young Mr. Ridgeway takes his place. As insurance, the bank hires Poirot to accompany Mr. Ridgeway and the bonds. Mr. Ridgeway has something of a gambling problem, so when the bonds go missing, he quickly becomes suspect number one for everyone - well, everyone except Poirot.

Another excellent episode. The Million Dollar Bond Robbery has several things going for it. The cast is superb. David Suchet and Hugh Fraser are in fine form. They're work together is so natural. The sets, costumes, lighting, and cinematography are as good as you'll find in any of the Poirot mysteries. I really appreciated the mix of newsreel footage in this episode. It gave the whole thing an air of authenticity. The plot here is fantastic. I was stumped right up to the end. The pacing is good. The 50 minutes just flies by. Overall a wonderful episode.

BIG SPOILERS - One thing that really worked in this episode that usually falls flat is an actor playing two different parts. For example, in the episode The Dream, Alan Howard plays both Benedict Farley and Hugo Cornworthy. but it's obvious it's the same actor playing both roles. But in The Million Dollar Bond Robbery, it actually works. Until Poirot pointed it out, I had not noticed that Nurse Long and Miranda Brooks were being played by the same actress, Lizzy McInnerny. It's a fine piece of acting and a fine piece of directing. I only wish IMDb would quit putting both character names in the cast list. Fortunately, I didn't notice it until after I watched the episode. - END BIG SPOILERS

8/10