'The Pale Horse' Review: Rufus Sewell shines in Sarah Phelps' dull adaptation of Agatha Christie classic
Does not contain any spoilers for 'The Pale Horse'
In 1961, the Metropolitan Police launch a murder investigation into the death of a woman who breathes her last at their doorstep. Police discover a very mysterious list of names in her shoe. How was this woman killed? What does this list mean?
One of the names on the list is that of Mark Easterbrook, our protagonist in Rufus Sewell. A rich antique dealer, Mark is charming, plush, handsome (obviously, because Sewell) who cannot understand what, how and why he is on the list.
Mark had also recently remarried having lost his wife Delphine Easterbrook (Georgina Campbell) a year ago. But Mark doesn't love his new wife Hermia (Kaya Scodelario), with the two quickly becoming resentful of each other.
People on the list are dying and Mark is getting restless by the day - his name is closing in and he doesn't wish to die. In the meanwhile, omens keep showing up in his path, and he is riddled with nightmares of his dead wife, yet he cannot piece anything together.
In order to save himself, he must find out how and why his name came to appear on the list. This investigation forms the major part of the first episode of the two-episodic miniseries. This investigation brings him to the quiet, picturesque village of Much Deeping, specifically to The Pale Horse - the peculiar home of a trio of witches Sybil Stamfordis, Thyrza Grey and Bella Webb portrayed by Kathy Kiera Clarke, Sheila Atim and Rita Tushingham, respectively.
Mark must find out what brought his dead wife Delphine to the witches. By now, his fear and paranoia have started to get the better of him and no matter how many times he tells himself, "I don't believe in magic, I believe in science," he cannot help but be consumed by the increasingly eerie things around him.
Who is trying to kill Mark? Is this the work of the witches of The Pale Horse, and does this mean he is next on their list?
Sarah Phelps' adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic goes at a lethargic pace. Even with an astonishingly sinister soundtrack, the screenplay makes more noise than intrigue. The slow pace actually keeps the marvellous Sewell back. Fresh off the victories of Amazon Prime's 'The Man in the High Castle', Sewell is the only part of Phelps' adaptation that will not disappoint you.
Despite Phelps' questionable adaptation of one of Christie's beloved works across ages, the show scores high on its production value, which is simply remarkable. 'The Pale Horse' feels right out of the '60s complete with a precise costume and set design. It is interesting to note how even after his second marriage, Mark's house has very little room for his new wife only reflecting his own personality.
"The show is set to release on Amazon Prime Video on March 13.
