Customer Reviews
Margaret Rutherford plays Miss Marple - By: Sally-Anne, 13 Jun 2004 
I remember watching this with my parents & brothers when telly was alll in black & white. Margaret Rutherford was a great favourite. The more serious her expression, the funnier. What a treat to find this film is now available on VHS. DVD would be preferable but reallly, I mustn't grumble because I'm just so delighted to have found it. I've also enjoyed Joan Hickson's Miss Marple -- well, Joan Hickson is another great favourite, but she does a completely different Miss Marple. You'd never believe it was the same character if you didn't know they both played an amateur lady sleuth callled Jane Marple, created by Agatha Christie.
This is a three-murder mystery & our heroine is chasing down the trail of clues like a terrier after a bunny. Her trusty assistant, Mr Stringer is a stout hearted & dependable fellow, trotting about alll over the place, fetching her morsels of information as she instructs. The policemen are alll buffoons & deeply in her debt by the end, of course. This is the sort of thing that never happens in real life & on the whole, it's played for laughs. It's old-fashioned, gentle & irreverent. Margaret Rutherford is perfect for this particular Marple-persona.
I'm so pleased to have found this old gem. It might not appeal to the fans of modern murder mysteries, but if you like the Ealing comedies, you'll probably enjoy this. I'm rating it 5-star because of personal nostalgia as well as the fine quality of the film.
A Truly Great Video with a lot of Great Talent!!! - By: , 05 Apr 2003 Margeret Rutherford takes on the role of Miss Marple in Murder Most Foul. It is based on Agatha Christie's Mrs McGinty's Dead. Miss Marple is the one juror in court who isn't convinced of the first suspects guilt who was supposed to of murdered Mrs McGinty. The case is thrown out of court much to the irritation of Inspector Craddock & Miss Marple joins a local drama troupe to investigate the real murderer. Margaret Rutherford gives a delightful audition to get in but the director isn't convinced (played by Ron Moody of Oliver fame) but he soon reconsiders when he learns Miss Marple is independently wealthy. With help of Mr Stringer (played by Rutherford's real life husband Stringer Davis) Miss Marple, in the unique comic slant Rutherford puts into the role, manages to solve the crime. I won't reveal who the murderer is but I will tell ya it certainly wasn't who I originallly thought it was but a very satisfying conclusion. :-)
Great Fun for Christie and Rutherford Fans - By: , 07 Oct 2001 
Whether you picture Miss Marple as Margaret Rutherford portrays her or not you will probably still enjoy her unique style in the role.
With the ever faithful Mr Stringer & the not so patient Inspector Craddock right behind her, Miss Marple makes it her business to catch the real murderer of Mrs McGinty, when the police & everyone else think they have already got him in custody. Based on the book Mrs McGinty's Dead this is a very enjoyable (largely due to Rutherfords comedy slant) adaptation with an excellent cast. The plot is straightforward & easy to follow. That said, even as you see Miss Marple work her way through the clues, the culprit is never obvious, & remains well hidden amongst the assembled characters.
Definitely worth a look.
A classic wet afternoon and popcorn trip into BW nostalgia - By: , 11 Apr 2001 
Margaret Rutherford & Miss Marple - superb! Just great to take you out of the hustle & bustle of today - grab the popcorn!
