3 Agatha Christie Books That Must Be Turned Into Movies
These Agatha Christie books have all the twist and suspense that would make for unforgettable films.
By Nina Sterle
The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd
Fans of this book are already desperate to see it turned into a movie, because it automatically becomes one of everyone’s favorite Agatha Christie novels after reading it for the first time. Initially unassuming, the book is recognized by many to be one of Christie’s best-ever works – so to see it on the big screen would be a dream come true for murder mystery lovers and Poirot fans alike. There are some directorial challenges that come with the film – namely, that it uniquely takes place from a first person perspective, which is both essential to the plot and impossible to replicate exactly in movie format. Regardless, it would be thrilling to see this tale told again in live action.
Peril at End House
With a rich cast of characters and unique, thrilling plot, Peril at End House is a highly underrated Poirot novel that would be perfect for adapting to the big screen. It has the same seemingly supernatural elements that made A Haunting in Venice so successful, with a gloomy yet charming main character and a perfectly terrifying setting. The plot is also set up well to play out on screen, though it admittedly takes place over a smaller area than some other Christie novels that have been made into movies.
Cards On the Table
This novel sees an incredibly intriguing setup – a man is murdered during a party practically in plain sight, yet no one was able to determine who the killer was. In book form, this novel is brilliant yet slightly convoluted, as it relies on the reader understanding the (now outdated) game of Bridge. Christie uses the game to explain the psychology of each suspect, which Poirot learns to help him find the killer. In a movie format, the murder is both dramatic and intense, and there’s a lot of opportunity to better explore the complicated moves of the game, return to the psychology behind each character, and explain the plot more thoroughly to the audience. This well-rated novel could likely benefit even more from a movie adaptation.
