Poirot Set 3: Classic Collecti

... and get everyone like it that you can (all of three sets only). If you are the lover of David Suchet's Poirot, as I am, this dvd collection is the one to start off with - accept no others.

An annoying habit of the market is to put out a "dvd collection" that is a few paltry episodes or bits of a series. Later ... WHAM!! ... the whole series or a newly configured set comes out, and you're angrier than a monkey with its tail burned off.

This dvd set is not like that. It is packed with episodes, among them the elusive "Chocolate Box", one of my most favorite Poirot adventures of all. Sadly, at present only two other of these boxed sets are available:

"Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Classic Collection" - Set 1, Set 2, Set 3 and alas, no more - plus, each set is sold separately. Try not to go out on a limb with other collections unless you know them well, or unless the collection contains a film you particularly love, as this set contains one I particularly love.

These sets are not the only collections that have the original hour-long A&E Channel Poirot series, and there are other sets containing the two-hour specials. Not to mention the collection of the newer films from circa 1999 to 2010 (I have yet to see DEATH ON THE NILE which was promised back in 2010, but has never been shown on TV; I have enjoyed EVIL UNDER THE SUN which was as dark as can be, vid. my review).

So be very careful choosing sets - though this particular set is in a silver box, one clue to help you besides using the full, correct titles of these sets is that they come in metallic, brightly-hued boxes. Set 1 is copper/dark orange, Set 2 is gold/yellow and Set 3 is, as you see, silver/grey. (If they ever do a Set 4 my guess is the box will be platinum/white.)

Best thing to do here at Amazon is enter the FULL TITLE as shown on box and in this review - use the color as a guide also, but select these sets carefully.

There is a very fine (but even more paltry) collection of Suchet-Poirot films, but it very nearly copies these Sets in its trade dress. Not a bad set - it is the "Movie Collection" as opposed to this Set of "Classic Collection" - but it's NOT THIS SET. You'd be disappointed if you are an original series fan and want to start collecting the original A&E hour-long series. This other set consists of the 2-hour movie classics, and believe me, they are as confusing and horrifying as the open sea - to those who do not know how to navigate!

One thing is certain: at this price and with this set which I think totals over 1,500 minutes of pure Poirot pleasure, you'll feel tres bien ... et tres jolie! A good organized set and good bargain, when you consider the not-so-complete DVD set retails around $250 or so ....

David Suchet never disappoints, and Hugh Frasier and Philip Jackson are excellent as Hastings and Inspector Japp, respectively. The episodes are about an hour long and are adapted from Agatha Christie's short stories, I assume. They are great! Anyone enjoying British period mysteries will be happy with this set of Hercule Poirot stories.

Poirot fans, who wish to have a complete collection, will find navigating through all the sets offered somewhat of a maze, specifically due to the lack of episode/movie titles, on the box front or in the seller's description. Some diligent viewers have been kind enough to provide titles, in their reviews. However, I found it particularly difficult, when shopping, to figure out the contents of The Classic Collection Set 3, which is in a silver box.
Here are the titles:
1. The Adventure of The Egyptian Tomb
2. The Underdog
3. Yellow Iris
4. The Case of The Missing Will
5. The Adventure of The Italian Nobleman
6. The Chocolate Box
7. Dead Man's Mirror
8. Jewel Robbery At The Grand Metropolitan
9. The Case Of The Clapham Cook
Purchasing The Classic Collection Set 1(orange box), Set 2(yellow box), Set 3(silver Box - this set), and Set 4(platinum/pale pink box), individually is the best bargain. The Classic Collection Sets 1, 2, 3, and 4, completely cover all of the Agatha Christie's Poirot: Collector Sets 1 through 12, a total of 36 episodes, which are the boxes with different colored bands, on the left side. Each of the Classic Collections has 9, of those Collector Set episodes.
For example, this Classic Collection 3, covers the Collector Sets 7, 8, and 9. Later The Classic Collection, Vol. 2 was produced, which covers nine movie length features, originally produced by Grenada Films and are different movies, from the 36 episodes, offered in the four Classic Collections. See the very professional review, on The Classic Collection, Vol.2, by Themis Athena. It is confusing, because the titles, of each collection, have only subtle differences. Now the more recent films, which are new stories, are being marketed under Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Movie Collection Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, Set 5, and Set 6. Each of those sets has a different colored band across the top, of the box. The first three, of The Movie Collection Sets, is offered in Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Definitive Collection, which is the most economical purchase. The Movie Collection Sets 4, 5, and 6, are only offered individually.
Hopeully, the above information will help you, with your Poirot movie selections.