Agatha Christie's Marple, Series 4

Each actress who takes on the mantle of 'Miss Marple' brings something of herself and her unique qualities to the role, and Julia McKenzie is no exception. She is definitely prettier than Margaret Rutherford, softer and more grandmotherly than Joan Hickson, less crochety than Helen Hayes, and more introverted than Geraldine McEwan. With every fictional character (even Shakespeare's), an actor is left to bring their own interpretation to the part, no matter what anyone else thinks. So I applaud Julia McKenzie's courage in tackling a character so well beloved. When these later series arrived, I never thought I would switch my allegiance from Joan Hickson, but I was soon won over by Geraldine McEwan - it's the humor and the twinkle in McEwan's eye that makes her such a good Marple. However, I have liked Julia McKenzie in other things and I must admit I like her Marple too. McKenzie plays Marple as the type of wonderful listener that all the suspects reveal themselves to, precisely because she lets them talk until they say something important.I bought this series without even knowing which books they were doing and I am not disappointed. The sets and the care with which these productions are done is worth the price of the set. I was glad to see that they were trying to be a little more faithful to Agatha Christie. They went totally off the rails in 'At Bertram's Hotel' in the last series, you almost needed a flow-chart to keep track of everyone (but the sets were gorgeous).As far as the two 'non-Marple' episodes go, I like 'Murder is Easy' better with Marple in it - I don't think that anyone is going to argue that the last production (with Bill Bixby)is more faithful to the original. And you have to admit that if you want to see "Evans" as originally written, you have the opportunity as it has already been wonderfully done by James Warwick and Francesca Annis. Another plus is seeing all the great British actors (a la 'Murder She Wrote') in all the episodes.Being a forty-year fan of Agatha Christie and having read all of her mysteries, I think she would have had a problem with the 'sex scenes' and some of the 'creative direction'. But I think she would have liked Julia McKenzie, and I do too.

Entertaining

I loved Geraldine McEwan as Jane Marple and couldn't see anyone taking over the role. But I have to admit that I like Julia McKenzie every bit as much. I think she does a splendid job (even if her Jane is sturdier than most). The four stories presented in this set range from great (A Pocket Full of Rye) to fair (a confusing mishmash of hysteria in Why Didn't They Ask Evans? which isn't even a Jane Marple story originally). Since I like mysteries and I like Jane Marple I tend to overlook all the tampering that's been done to Christie's work. It's shameful, this obvious lack of faithfulness to her books, but I find myself obliged to like them anyway (and not feel disloyal). Best guest star of the bunch has to be the fabulous Joan Collins, full of bite and backbone. I'm looking forward to buying series 5.

Julia McKenzie is a fantastic Marple! The directing in this season is really good. It gives more of a big budget movie feel without losing the charm of Mrs. Marple. Also, the orchestra does a phenomenal job! Great score! Matthew McFayden ( of Pride & Prejudice & Ripper Street) & Benedict Cumberbatch (of Sherlock & Dr. Strange) are both guest stars in different mysteries along with many other beloved British stars so that's huge plus for this season as well. But the best selling point is...It's Agatha Christie!! With Agatha Christie you are always gifted an amazing mystery with an inventive solution that stands out from other mystery series'.

If you read my other AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MARPLE reviews, you'll know that I started with  Agatha Christie's Marple: Complete Series 5 [Blu-ray ], and then went back to the beginning of the series ( Agatha Christie's Marple: Geraldine McEwan Collection ) that initially starred Geraldine McEwan.I've enjoyed both and Julia McKenzie's portrayal of Miss Marple is a bit different than McEwan's, but both actresses do a fine job.If you're like me, you don't necessarily have to start in series order, unless the change in actress is too disruptive for your suspension of disbelief, because each episode in the series is like a stand-alone movie.This set features great guest spots featuring Joan Collins and Benedict Cumberbatch, who is starring in his own series as the new incarnation of Sherlock Holmes ( Sherlock: Season One [Blu-ray ]), among others, and it takes place in the time period shortly after WW2.I think the scenery and the cinematography, as well as wardrobe, is gorgeously done and never once looks anachronistic or faked. Also, I really wanted to get this series 4 on Blu-Ray, but I hardly notice the difference, meaning that resolution is just fine on DVD.The only thing that this set is lacking is extras but they do provide text bios on Agatha Christie and Julia McKenzie, and each DVD contains photo gallery and features some of the cast members' filmograhies. There's also subtitles for the hearing impaired.Not being very familiar with the Christie novels these movies are based on, I can't speak to whether or not they've been rewritten or butchered. I can say that I found each one very entertaining and wasn't bothered in the least with the camera techniques which seemed to put off another reviewer. When I read that review, I was expecting lightning fast editing like in the drug scenes in  Requiem for a Dream (Director's Cut) , but they weren't like that at all.And even though I know whodunnit, I'll be watching this series over and over again.

I do like Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple. I watched a lot of this series in London, Eng. while staying with my nephew. She is very similar to Joan Hixon. The acting is great, so many familiar British actor and actresses

Julia McKenzie gives her unique take on Miss Marple, it is fun and worth the watch. Agatha Christie would approve.

Love them

I bought this DVD set not too long ago because I really like Agatha Christie. I find that Julia McKenzie does the role well but I still prefer Geraldine MacEwan as she played the role better, I thought. Anyway, because I like Agatha Christie mysteries, and that I have all the Geraldine MacEwan series, and even a couple of Joan Hickson playing the Miss Marple role, I will still enjoy watching it with Julia McKenzie in it, now. I am sure that if Geraldine MacEwan was able to continue playing the role, she would have, but everyone gets to that stage in life that they want to quit or have to quit doing it. I am glad I have Geraldine MacEwan to enjoy now that she doesn't play the role, and also glad that I have the "new blood" playing the role, so I can enjoy any other possible stories of Agatha Christie's that might come out!

A wonderful addition to my collection.