Agatha Christie's Spider's Web [DVD]

(No spoilers.) This is a play filmed for TV, so expect it to be static and stagey. It’s for people like me who admire Penelope Keith. She speaks at an incredible rate, always with a chuckle in her voice, even when the situation is serious. She moans several times, ‘Why do people never believe me?’Well one reason would be the hideous ginger wig she wears. Two reviewers have regretted the lack of suspense and the repertory standard of acting. Never mind. The mounting pile of lies told and the ridiculous actions of so-called intelligent people keep it amusing. And of course if you are so inclined, you can mock the gentry who so often figured in Christie’s work. I didn’t guess the solution, so that’s good…..and Penelope finishes it all off as though nothing has happened over the past couple of hours.

Great bunch of great actors and liked the light heartedness of the theme

We had just watched Ordeal by Innocence which was absolutely brilliant, so been a bit spoilt really.

Plot was bit slow but not to bad

I don't recall this film ever being repeated, so I assumed that either there was a 'rights' issue or that it wouldn't be very good. Everything made for film or tv based on Agatha Christie's writings seems to be repeated regularly, but not this (as of June 2021). It turns out this is pretty good, and given the actors involved it should come as no surprise. It does feel like a stage play, but it's still well worth watching.

The DVD from DAZZLER MEDIA is good quality, 4.3 ratio, good sound and Optional English subtitles. No extras. This really is as good as a recording of the stage play. Diverse characters in a Country House, Mysterious comings and goings. Murder of course, and spirited acting from a class cast of British reliables - Thorley Walters, Robert Fleming, Elizabeth Spriggs (you scene stealer you!), and a miscast but wonderful Penelope Keith, in the most frightful wig. Also watch out for a very early performence from Holly Aird (took me by surprise when the end credits came up!). The Christie mystery is all there and tho it does tend to drag just a little towards the end it retained the hold on my attention. For nostalgia/Christie/Keith fans more than the casual viewer, but a pleasure to watch. Recomended

I remember watching this first time round. I recorded it on video and watched it several times but the tape is long since gone. Having enjoyed it then I have been hoping it would be released on video/DVD ever since. Now it has. At long last. From my memory there have been a few minor cuts. Maybe 5 or 6 minutes in total. But this doesn't detract from plot. Indeed if you are watching this for the first time there is only one point where you MIGHT notice it. I'm very happy this has been made available on DVD. The BBC also made six Noel Coward plays around the time Spider's Web was produced. Is there a hope these might shortly follow?

I really enjoyed this adaption of Agatha Christie's play Spider's Web. The play itself is set in one room, and indeed (without giving too much away) it's important to the plot that the action does take place in one room. So this TV adaption has to likewise mostly take place in one room with only a few scene-setters at the beginning and end taking place elsewhere. So if you are expecting a "film" - forget it. If rather you approach viewing this as a night out at the theatre, but in the comfort of your own home, with top-notch performances, then you won't be disappointed.