Version

ref. 71488 — Sydney: Burbank Films 1987. Film material Vintage original script for the unmade film adaptation based on the best-selling novel by Agatha Christie. Octavo 28 x 22cm pp.93 mimeograph in textured orange card wrappers with die-cut title window bound internally with two clasps. Studio details to title page redacted with Tippex title inked to lower edge of text block. A fine clean copy with a folder of associated paperwork location notes contacts etc. Plans for this film adaptation of Murder in Mesopotamia were very far advanced when the project collapsed. The screenplay was written by Julian Bond fresh from his recent success with The Whistle Blower 1986 starring Michael Caine; Christopher Miles whose project this was was in place to direct; and Peter Ustinov who by then had already played Hercule Poirot five times on screen was to be the film's star. However relations between Australian studio executives and the project's Japanese backers soured just as the project was about to be green lit and the film was never made. This copy has had the Australian studio details Burbank Films Paddington Sydney Tippexed from the title page presumably in anticipation of submitting the screenplay to other studios in the hope of reviving the vehicle. But no such salvation was found. Murder in Mesopotamia finally reached the screen in 2002 in a version by Clive Exton and starring David Suchet as Poirot. A very scarce piece of Christie arcana and a well preserved copy. Sydney: Burbank Films, 1987 unknown