The Agatha Christie Code (2005/Region Zero PAL Import/Madman DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: D     Episodes: B-

 

 

PLEASE NOTE: This DVD can only be operated on machines capable of playing back DVDs that can handle Region Free/Zero PAL format software and can be ordered from our friends at Madman Entertainment at the website address provided at the end of the review.  Cover image © 2005 3DD Productions.

 

 

Agatha Christie remains the most successful female writer of all time, one of the most published of all time, one of the most influential and her contributions to the Mystery genre and detective work (fact and fiction) are still with us today.  So why was she so successful and what is the appeal to her readers over the decades?  The Agatha Christie Code is a great examination of her life, work and success.

 

Narrated by Joanna Lumley (The New Avengers, Absolutely Fabulous, Sapphire & Steel), a team of researchers study the books, do charts, listings, analysis and put all of her works into a supercomputer to find out what makes her books work and what makes readers not want to stop reading.  The revelations are fascinating, will shock many Christie fans and give us more of an insight into the woman than ever before.  A very scholarly study of the sometimes mysterious author, we get interviews with experts, as well as actors who have appeared in film and TV adaptations of her work.  It is a must-see for Christie fans and others should seek it out.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is shot in what looks like 1080i HD and is just fine, though it can be soft and has some motion blur throughout.  Film clips are a plus and this is fine for a documentary.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is simple and well-recorded.  The combination is good and easy for its length.  There are no extras.

 

 

As noted above, you can order this PAL DVD import exclusively from Madman at:

 

https://www.madman.com.au/actions/channel.do?method=view

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo