I can't remember a more entertaining boozehound than Tuppence in this film.  Her performance could be the definition of British understatement.  But it's the vicar who steals every scene he's in, and his furtive tippling in the churchyard brings back memories of my adolescence.

As soon as I see Charles Dance in something I start to suspect him of crime. He just plays criminals so well.

I agree with you. It's a good adaptation if you just pretend that's some other middle-aged, uppercrust British couple and not our beloved Tommy and Tuppence. They did an excellent job of fitting Miss Marple in.

I loved the Francesca Annis/James Warwick versions of the Beresfords.

Mrs Lancaster dressed as Little Red Riding Hood is an interesting metaphor and twist of the classic tale. Like the wolf who dresses like grandma to trick the girl, here is a very dangerous old woman dressed as an inoccent kid from a story.

Late to this, but it's lovely that the Radio 'Miss Marple' (June Whitfield) was cast as Mrs Lancaster.

I have long wanted to shelve By the Pricking of my Thumbs just before Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes.

I thought what they did to Tommy and Tuppence was horrible in this adaptation. But giving children sweets was not regarded as sinister in the 50s.

Sir Philip Stark is played by the lovely  Leslie Philips. One of my all-time favourite actors.  I just loved that wonderful voice of his.  He was always fun  in the comedy films he was in and very  attractive.  
In real life he was such a nice man,  a gentleman. He  lived to the age of 98.

When I first saw this I was shocked...This was not Tommy & Tuppence I had seen before on film.

This version of Tommy and Tuppence may not be accurate, but they are quite fun in their own way. That’s a lot more than I can say for the recent series of Partners in Crime!

I really liked this adaptation even if it was very liberal with plot adaptations in order to incorporate Miss Marple into the proceedings.
June Whitfield as Mrs Lancaster / Julia Stark is a particular delight, playing such a dark role when we are far more used to hearing her play Miss Marple herself in all the BBC radio adaptations of the books.
Quite a role reversal for her!

I love Tommy and Tuppence. I love how you related them to Nick and Nora. So true but with respect for one another.

I loved this episode of Miss Marple. Charles Dance and Greta Sacchi are wonderful. And the ending was so creepy.

It was interesting to see Greta Scacchi and Charles Dance in the same film again.  They certainly set the screen on fire in WHITE MISCHIEF (1982).

It's funny because I was irritated with the intense age difference between Tommy and Tuppence here.  They look more like father and daughter.  Until I find out Greta Scacchi and Anthony Andrews were only 11 years apart.  I guess Scacchi just looked 30 when she was 46.

They managed to turn this mystery about a religiously maniacal and psychotic old biddy into a real bummer.

Another has been restored to us. Hoorah!

I haven't been able to watch this film as I start screaming*🤯 at the first sight of Miss Marple!
But maybe I will give it another try...

* - "she's not in this book!!!"

Despite the beresford blasphemy, this adaptation really cleaned up an overdone plot nicely