The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd

By William Tynan

In the canon of classic whodunits, Agatha Christie's Ackroyd holds a revered but controversial place. A unique work (for reasons that can't be revealed without spoiling the fun), its very nature resists adaptation. Alas, A&E--whose mystery series has an uneven track record in capturing the tart Christie flavor--has obliterated Ackroyd's outrageous ingenuity. Though David Suchet, as always, nicely embodies sleuth Hercule Poirot, the movie will disappoint those who've read the book. Those who haven't will wonder what the fuss has always been about. Skip the movie, read the book.

--By William Tynan