Movies

7 Agatha Christie Movie Endings That Differ From the Books

BBG News

Agatha Christie is a towering figure in the world of mystery writing, having authored more than 60 detective novels during her career. Among her notable creations are the renowned detectives Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. Known for their intricate plots, Christie’s whodunnits often leave readers puzzled until the very last page, with unexpected twists and turns that keep them guessing right up to the climax. Since her debut novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, was published in 1916, over 30 film adaptations of her work have been produced.

Christie’s novels are skillfully structured and eloquently penned, yet a significant aspect of enjoying her stories lies in attempting to predict the conclusion. Given the numerous movie versions that retell her tales, it has grown challenging to keep audiences guessing. Consequently, some film adaptations have subtly modified endings to generate more curiosity. This allows fans of Christie’s books to embark on a fresh quest to unmask the villain.

7
‘And Then There Were None’ (1945)

On an isolated island, eight individuals receive enigmatic invitations. Upon their arrival, they are greeted by a butler who plays them a pre-recorded message, implicating each guest in a murder case. One by one, the guests meet untimely deaths. The question arises: who is the culprit behind these murders, and why? Agatha Christie’s 1939 novel, And Then There Were None, has been more adapted than any other of her works. In 1943, Christie herself transformed the story into a stage play, but the first screen adaptation was the 1945 film directed by René Clair and penned by Dudley Nichols.

Making The Ending Less Grim

The film adaptation retains the core idea from the book, but instead of concluding as the book does, it opts for an ending more similar to a stage play. In the novel, a character named Lawrence John Wargrave, who is actually a former criminal judge and has infiltrated the guests, spends his final moments meting out justice to individuals he feels were unjustly acquitted by the legal system. In the movie, this character is called Armstrong, played by Walter Huston, and confides his plan to a guest named Vera Claythorne (portrayed by June Duprez) before taking his own life. Unlike in the book, both Vera and Philip Lombard (played by Louis Hayward), who had pretended to be a friend’s ally with the intention of solving his death mystery, survive at the end of the film.

6
‘Witness for the Prosecution’ (1957)

Originally titled “Traitor’s Hands” and later known as “The Witness for the Prosecution,” this short story was penned by Agatha Christie. Over three decades after its initial publication in 1953, Christie herself transformed it into a stage play that debuted in London and New York. The central plot remains consistent across all versions: Leonard Vole stands accused of murder, and his wife, Romaine, surprisingly chooses to testify for the prosecution instead of defending her husband. This unexpected move is part of an intricate plan she had conceived to exonerate her spouse.

Introducing a Secret Mistress

In the short story, Romaine manages to rescue her husband but later finds out he was indeed culpable of the crime. In the play, Romaine learns about her husband’s secret mistress, which leaves her feeling betrayed. Following his acquittal, she takes matters into her own hands and stabs Leonard, ultimately leading to both their lives being at stake in a new trial due to his death.

1957 film version alters Romaine’s character name to Christine (portrayed by Marlene Dietrich), mirroring the play’s conclusion where Christine slays her husband upon learning he plans to abandon her for his mistress, despite her efforts to save him in court. Interestingly, in both the stage play and the crime-focused movie, Leonard’s attorney decides to represent Romaine/Christine after she takes Leonard’s life.

5
‘Murder at the Gallop’ (1963)

Murder at the Gallop is the fourth film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s works by MGM, featuring Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple in the 1960s. Contrary to the movie, the storyline is derived from the 1953 novel After the Funeral, where Miss Marple isn’t the protagonist but rather Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The book unfolds in the aftermath of a wealthy man named Richard Abernethie’s funeral, during which his sister, Cora Lansquenet, expresses her belief that her brother was murdered. As doubts swirl and Cora herself meets an untimely end, Poirot is compelled to delve into the mystery.

Changing the Motive

Initially, swapping Poirot for Miss Marple gives a distinct feel to the 1963 movie adaptation. Moreover, instead of the deceased being referred to as Mr. X, he’s named Mr. Enderby in this version. It isn’t just Cora who senses something fishy about his demise; Miss Marple shares her suspicions as well.

In both the book and the movie, Cora meets her tragic end, with Miss Gilchrist being revealed as the killer. However, the motive for the murder differs between the two versions. In the book, it’s disclosed that Miss Gilchrist aimed to acquire one of Cora’s expensive paintings to restore a tea shop she had lost in the war. In contrast, the film keeps Miss Gilchrist’s quest for the painting but omits the tea shop motive from the storyline. At the climax of the movie, Miss Marple is offered a marriage proposal, which she declines, as she remains resolutely Miss Marple.

4
‘The Mirror Crack’d’ (1980)

1962 saw the publication of “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” in the United Kingdom, while American publishers opted for the abbreviated title “The Mirror Crack’d” when releasing the novel a year later in the U.S. The story revolves around the quaint village of St Mary Mead and its resident sleuth, Miss Marple. A newcomer to the area, American actress Marina Gregg, has moved into the home of one of Miss Marple’s old friends. She hosts a party, but tragedy strikes when one of her guests is poisoned. Initially suspected, Marina seems to have been the intended target as Heather drank a cocktail meant for her. However, it’s Miss Marple who ultimately solves the mystery.

Poisoned Hot Chocolate

1980 saw a film adaptation set in a peaceful village, where events unfolded much like those in the original story. Both the novel and movie eventually disclose that it was Marina (played by Elizabeth Taylor) who ended Heather’s (Maureen Bennett) life after recognizing that Heather had caused Marina’s pregnancy difficulties years prior. In the end, Marina’s body is discovered, but here’s where the narratives differ:

In the novel, Miss Marple suspects that Marina’s husband, Jason, murdered her to silence other potential witnesses, though he never admits to it. However, in this film adaption, the story takes a different turn and the culprit’s identity remains unclear at the end of the movie.

In the movie, I found myself confronting Miss Marple, played by Angela Lansbury, with a shocking confession: I had contaminated my wife’s hot cocoa the previous night, intending to set her up for arrest. Yet, it appears that Marina never consumed the tainted drink, suggesting an unexpected turn of events – she may have taken her own life before I could enact my plan.

3
‘The Secret of Chimneys’ (2010)

Originally published as “The Bodley Head” in the UK, Agatha Christie’s “The Secret of Chimneys,” released in 1925, continues to be a beloved novel among her fans. The story unfolds on a lord’s estate named Chimneys, where a gathering and a murder occur. This is a one-off tale, although characters such as Superintendent Battle and Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent make appearances in some of Christie’s later works.

Changing the Framework of the Entire Mystery

For Season 5, Episode 2 of ITV’s Agatha Christie’s Marple series, the story “The Secret of Chimneys” is chosen. In this episode, Julia McKenzie (portraying Julia McKenzie) takes center stage as the main detective, altering the overall structure of the mystery. The novel revolves around a stolen gem and has a royal plotline that the movie alters to introduce a new suspect and a fresh motive.

2
‘The Sittaford Mystery’ (2006)

In “The Sittaford Mystery,” the storyline closely follows that of Christie’s 1931 novel, “The Murder at Hazelmoor.” Both tales revolve around a seance on a snowy night which foretells the death of Captain Trevelyan. As the prediction proves true, it is up to Emily Trefusis, engaged to James Pearson (Trevelyan’s nephew), to unravel the mystery. Notably, in ITV’s “Agatha Christie’s Marple” (Season 2, Episode 4), Emily is not working alone; she is joined by Agatha Christie’s beloved detective character, Miss Marple.

Name Swaps and A New Killer

Right from the beginning, this particular adaptation introduced significant modifications. The addition of Miss Marple, portrayed brilliantly by Geraldine McEwan, contributed to certain adjustments, but others were unrelated to the introduction of an additional character. Among the most striking changes is the reworked ending. In the original story, it was Major Burnaby, Captain Trevelyan’s close associate, who committed the murder for financial purposes. However, in this adaptation, it’s Emily who solves the mystery and declines journalist Charles Enderby’s proposal to remain with her partner, James.

In the movie, it is revealed that the characters named Major Enderby (James Murray) and Charles Burnaby are actually each other. Charles Burnaby, disguised as a journalist, turns out to be the antagonist. He was secretly the illegitimate son of Trevelyan (Timothy Dalton), abandoned by his father in Egypt years ago. Driven by revenge, he eventually commits suicide when his deceit is exposed. In an unexpected turn of events, Emily (Zoe Telford) chooses to part ways with James and embark on her own journey.

1
‘A Haunting in Venice’ (2023)

The story “Hallowe’en Party,” which later served as inspiration for “A Haunting in Venice,” was penned in 1969 and starred Agatha Christie’s renowned detective, Hercule Poirot, alongside recurring character Ariadne Oliver, who is also a detective novelist. During preparations for a Halloween gathering with friends, Ariadne crosses paths with 13-year-old Joyce, who claims to possess knowledge about a murder. Tragically, Joyce turns up dead the following day.

Turning an English Halloween Into an Italian Ghost Story

20th Century Studios’ movie reimagines the story with Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) and Ariadne (Tina Fey) as the main characters, but instead of taking place in England, it unfolds in Italy. In this adaptation, Ariadne doesn’t invite Poirot to a Halloween party, but to a séance. The character of Joyce (Michelle Yeoh) is not portrayed as a young girl anymore; instead, she’s a former army nurse who now works as a medium.

The film features a strong emphasis on supernatural elements, and Joyce’s death scene is particularly gruesome. Although the killer’s identity stays consistent throughout, their reasons for committing the crimes alter. In contrast to the book, most of the victims portrayed in the movie are adults rather than children.

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2025-04-26 21:37

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