Watch Murder Most Foul

Murder Most Foul is a British comedy crime film from 1964, directed by George Pollock, and starring Margaret Rutherford, Ron Moody and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell. It is the third installment of four in the Miss Marple film series, based on Agatha Christie's fictional character of the same name, played by Rutherford. The film begins with Miss Marple in court, serving on a jury for a murder case. She disagrees with the guilty verdict and argues with the other jurors, which leads to her getting dismissed from the jury. Soon after, she is approached by her friend and amateur detective, Mr. Stringer (played by Tingwell). He shows her a newspaper article about a murder at the London theatre, saying that he believes it was not just a tragic accident, but a deliberate murder.

Miss Marple takes on the case, and she is soon hired as an understudy for the theatre production. She is convinced that the lead actress, who was killed when she fell from a trapdoor, was not the actual target of the murderer, but someone else in the cast. She poses as a member of the theatre company and investigates the people around her, including the eccentric director, the stage manager, and all the other performers.

Through her detective work, she discovers that many people are connected to the victim in a strange way, including a former cellmate who knew her from the days when she was a criminal. She also gets to know several members of the theatre company and found out that there are several motives for killing the victim. As she digs deeper into the case, she realizes that not only is anyone a suspect, but the case may be more complicated than she thought.

Despite the danger and the risks involved, Miss Marple keeps pursuing the truth, and as she gathers more clues and information, she makes connections that help her unravel the mystery of the murder. Along the way, she entertains her friend and accomplice Mr. Stringer with her wit and unique ways of problem-solving, which keep the audience laughing while rooting for her to solve the case.

The acting in Murder Most Foul is superb, especially Margaret Rutherford, who delivers a commanding performance as the witty and sharp Miss Marple. Her portrayal of the character is both convincing and entertaining, and she effortlessly captures the spirit of Agatha Christie's beloved character. Ron Moody is also excellent as the director, and Tingwell is charming as the loyal friend and sidekick.

The film's screenplay is well-written, with a good mix of humor and suspense, which keeps the audience engaged throughout the film. The twist ending is unexpected and successfully ties together all the loose ends of the story. The costumes and sets reflect the era of the 1960s, and they add to the overall charm of the film.

In conclusion, Murder Most Foul is a hilarious and thrilling murder mystery, filled with engaging characters, a clever plot, and great acting. It is one of the best Miss Marple films and a must-see for all mystery lovers who enjoy a good laugh.

Murder Most Foul is a 1964 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.