TBT: The Seven Dials Mystery (1981)

I have been putting off watching The Seven Dials Mystery (1981) for months, but just recently news dropped that Netflix has a remake which is set to debut on January 15, 2026, so I figured I should just get it over with so I have something to compare to. Honestly? I think my reluctance was warranted. I’ve watched a lot of Agatha Christie adaptations, many from the 1970s and 1980s, and I know that there’s a bit of a different way of filmic storytelling from 40-50 years ago that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but dear God this one was a slog. It’s 2 hours long for starters and just … dull. But, I stuck it out on the promise of getting to the point where Lady Bundle Brent finally shows up and makes things interesting.

Was expecting Phryne Fisher. Was disappointed.

It didn’t.

So, let’s skip to the part where we talk about the costumes, shall we? This is the one area where I have anything nice to say about the show, because the 1920s clothes are quite good. The costumes were designed by Penny Lowe, who did the costumes in the 1970s Poldark series.

We have our investigative heroine, Bundle. She’s determined to get to the bottom of the murder that occurred in her bedroom while the house was being rented to several frivolous young friends (and a couple of old fuddy-duddies).

The aforementioned frivolity. It’s a lot to take in.

The outfits on the “kids” are really good. Very appropriately summery and fashionable but not over the top. Linen suits and perky hats rule here.

I could see watching this show with the sound off to get ideas for a 1920s-themed picnic. Also, it’s weird to think that the 1920s were a hundred years ago … Christ, I’m old.

Bundle gets some great, presumably vintage, hats.

Loraine, the sister of the murder victim, is also the most consistently fashionable aside from Bundle.

Bundle’s frothy green chiffon evening gown is fun. She wears it paired with a gold lame cocoon coat with fur trim that is utterly fabulous, but impossible to screencap.

This was as good as I could get, as she whips it off before shoving it into the arms of the coatroom girl and tearing off up the stairs where she’s most definitely not supposed to be snooping.

Not gonna lie, I’m a little obsessed with this dress. I really like the way that the skirt is tiered with alternating green layers.

It’s the curse of crappy 1980s BBC film quality. I wish there was a clearer shot of this outfit, but this was as good as I could get.

Another fabulous cloche on Bundle. Peep that ruffled collar peeking out.

I swear the film quality gets worse the longer the show runs. This looks like it could be a really smart little number in burgundy satin, but it’s impossible to get any clear shots of it.

And to add insult to injury, Loraine wears what looks like a really fabulous gold lace/fringe gown but she’s only filmed sitting down or from the shoulders up in the same scene.

At least we are afforded a decent shot of Loraine’s lavender outfit a few scenes later.

And a nice shot of the interesting closure details on her blazer.

Have you watched The Seven Dials Mystery (1981)? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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5 thoughts on “TBT: The Seven Dials Mystery (1981)”

Elizabeth Kerri Mahon says:

January 8, 2026 at 10:03 am

I’m so old that I watched this year’s ago when it first came on. I remember liking it and I think the actors ended up playing Tuppence and Tommy in a series.

1. Fran in NYC says:
  
  January 9, 2026 at 6:45 am
  
  Actually, James Warwick did, but not Cheryl Campbell. Francesca Annis played Tuppence.
  
ED says:

January 27, 2026 at 11:31 am

Having watched SEVEN DIALS (2026) all the way through, please permit me to assure you it is absolitely Not Boring.

1. Kevin Roche says:
  
  January 27, 2026 at 1:03 pm
  
  Came here to say the exact same thing. Thoroughly enjoyed the new version.
  
  1. Trystan L. Bass says:
    
    January 27, 2026 at 1:13 pm
    
    The new one is on our calendar for after Snark Week!