The only real fear that watching "Murder With Mirrors" generates is wondering whether the principal cast will make it through the film. At a sprightly 85, Helen Hayes' role as Miss Marple was her last, and Bette Davis was gravely ill both before and during the shooting of this TV movie. Nevertheless they both emerge in better shape than the viewer will from this thoroughly dreary film.

Clearly never allowed a moment's peace, Miss Marple is summoned to the palatial country house of her old friend Carrie Louise Serrocold (Davis). Her stepson has been murdered and now her life seems to be under threat. As always this is a house filled with suspects, all of whom stand to gain from rubbing Serrocold out. Chief suspect is a juvenile delinquent played by none other than a young and gangly Tim Roth!

Obviously Miss Marple is not perhaps as sharp as she used to be, for while the characters in the script might be under threat, it would appear that the lighting director has been shot dead for this murky film. Nevertheless she soldiers on through a pick 'n' mix of English actors, all of whom indulge in the type of hammy performances that wouldn't make the grade at the village play in St Mary Mead.

It's fair to say though that none of the performers should be expected to work with the film's hackneyed script and lazy direction that would drive anyone to murder. A far better job was done with Hayes again playing Miss Marple in an earlier film "A Caribbean Mystery".

"Murder With Mirrors" and "A Caribbean Mystery" are now available on Warner Home Video along with all the other Helen Hayes Agatha Christie films, and "Murder is Easy" (not a Miss Marple story).