SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.
First broadcast on March 19, 1989, Edward Bennett directed this early episode that Clive Exton adapted from Agatha Christie’s 1937-38 short story. Poirot is cryptically summoned by reclusive London manufacturing tycoon Benedict Farley as a consultant for a strange recurring dream Farley experiences. Specifically, this ominous dream compels him to violently commit suicide in his locked office.
Failing to appease an irritable Farley, Poirot is soon alerted that Farley’s dream was indeed a grim premonition. Considering others in Farley’s proximity would gladly benefit from his sudden death, Poirot senses that all isn’t what it seems.
Hercule Poirot: David Suchet
Capt. Arthur Hastings: Hugh Fraser
Chief Inspector James Japp: Philip Jackson
Felicity Lemon: Pauline Moran
Joanna Farley: Joely Richardson
Benedict Farley / Hugo Cornworthy: Alan Howard
Mrs. Farley: Mary Tamm
Dr. Stillingfleet: Paul Lacoux
Herbert Chudley: Martin Wenner
Mr. Tremlett: Christopher Saul
Newsreel Voice: Neville Phillips
Workmen: Fred Bryant & Tommy Wright
Bandmaster: Christopher Gunning
Mayor: Donald Bisset
Fencing Instructor: Arthur Howell
Note: Series composer Christopher Gunning makes a cameo appearance in an appropriate role.
REVIEW:
Effectively expanding upon Christie’s source material, padding this adaptation of “The Dream” with a youthful romance proves well-played. Like the original short stories, “The Dream” surpasses “Four and Twenty Blackbirds” (also adapted in this same season), in terms of relying upon the same plot device. This episode is very watchable!
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
