Murder with Mirrors (1985)

Film Introduction
"Murder with Mirrors" is a 1985 television adjustment of the popular Agatha Christie novel "They Do It With Mirrors", directed by Cock Lowry. It stars Helen Hayes as Jane Marple, Bette Davis as Carrie Louise Serrocold, John Mills as Lewis Serrocold, and Leo McKern as Inspector Curry.

Plot Summary
Helen Hayes plays the well-known amateur detective Miss Jane Marple in this film. The story begins when Jane finds herself invited by her friend, benefactor Carrie Louise Serrocold, to her estate called Stonygates. Carrie Louise reveals looming apprehensions about her family members. The extended household shares strained relations and Stonygates, which operates as a home for juvenile lawbreakers, includes a non-traditional aspect to the situation.

Serrocold's recent marital relationship to Lewis, an individual enthusiastic about restoring incarcerated teenagers, seems affecting Carrie Louise and her family members negatively. The tension escalates when a shot is fired at Lewis while Christian Gulbrandsen, a trustee of the charity and Carrie Louise's stepson, visits them.

The Murder
A plot twist greets viewers when Christian Gulbrandsen, who went to Stonygates to talk about issues about charity pilferage, is found dead. Gulbrandsen, who was planning to meet Lewis to go through some accounting documentation, was not assassinated in the shooting event. Rather, his life was taken in his space where he was composing a letter, showing an imminent danger.

Examination
Despite the fact that her stay was social, Miss Marple takes it upon herself to examine the murder. Inspector Curry, local constable, at the same time proceeds with his query. Marple uses her natural propensity to observe minutiae and links the dotted lines before the authorities do.

The plot thickens when Miss Marple understands the killer's real target was not Christian but Lewis all along. It is revealed that the mirror in Christian's room had redirected the bullet meant for Lewis, thus the title 'Murder with Mirrors'.

Resolution
As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that Edgar Lawson, who claims to be Lewis's illegitimate child, was the actual shooter who was manipulated by Stephen Restarick, Carrie Louise's stepson and homeowner of Stonygates. Stephen's motive was to exploit the charities for his gain, and eliminating Lewis from his course was part of his ultimate plan.

Conclusion
Through smart, subtle observations and deductive reasoning, Miss Marple deciphers the objective behind the murder. She has the ability to dismantle Stephen's strategy, save Lewis's life from imminent danger, and bring back peace at Stonygates. In the end, despite the difficult conditions and complex relationships, reality and justice triumph.

General Review
The movie "Murder with Mirrors" stays reasonably faithful to Agatha Christie's initial novel, providing audiences with a suspenseful mystery that gradually unfolds. Hayes' representation of Miss Marple is good, all aged warmth, fast wit and incisive impulses. The location, set in a vast mansion with a dark atmosphere, highlights the mystical components of the plot, keeping the audience intrigued throughout the movie.

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