Death on the Nile (1978)

Following Albert Finney's quirky and compelling performance as Agatha Christie's Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, in 1974's Murder on the Orient Express, Peter Ustinov capably took over the role in this 1978 adaptation of Christie's river-bound whodunit. While on a pleasure cruise along the Nile with a taciturn companion (David Niven), Poirot slips into action following the murder of a much-despised heiress (Lois Chiles). There's no shortage of suspects... until, that is, they also start dying off, obfuscating the investigation by suggesting that several killers may be at work. With a disciplined screenplay by Anthony Shaffer, the film is solid enough (certainly better than its 1981 follow-up, Evil Under the Sun) and is graced immeasurably by a glittery cast including Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, Olivia Hussey, Jack Warden, and Angela Lansbury. Directed with customary efficiency by John Guillermin (King Kong, The Towering Inferno). --Tom Keogh Amazon.com

Marvellous!

What a beautiful film. The plot, the act, the music, the costumes, the scenery...all artful.
The story by Agatha Christie is gripping and breathtaking.
The act is excellent.
The costumes and scenery (specially night scenes) are almost perfect.
The most unforgettable moment was when Poirot said:
"We almost know all there is to know..."
It's been 4 years since I first saw this classic but I still treasure and really do not know for how long I will go on seeing it.
Definitely recommended.
January 7, 2009

well cast, except for Poirot himself

Death on the Nile (1978)

A good mix of American and European actors.
Older audiences will recognize the cast of the day.

Mia Farrow
Betty Davis
Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote)--> who brings some humor to the story
Olivia Hussey (Romeo and Juliet 1968)
Lois Chiles (James Bond Moonraker)
Peter Ustinov
David Niven

David Suchet, the current Poirot of 2004, is definitely the better Poirot.

Maybe with a little CGI technology and reinacting, Suchet can be included with the 1978 film.
Far fetched? It worked with an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. The cast went back in time to the days of Kirk and Spock in "Trouble with Tribbles" episode.
October 24, 2008

Simply, Superb !

Excellent performance by all the great and so known actors. A masterpiece after the Agatha Christie's novel not only for the technical production, (sets, locations, photography) but also for the music and all the talent of the great stars joined here by the first time like P. Ustinov, B. Davies, M. Farrow, M. Smith, D. Niven and G. Kennedy. We can remebre all of them for all times. I think this film is a treasure and a tribute at the same time. A classic film for a good expert in mystery movies. September 13, 2008

no subtitles , no closed captions , you're excluded from the fun

just like the VHS version of this film , there are no closed captions . that would have been fine if there were subtitles . if you are deaf ? if you have some hearing impairment ? (like me) . if you keep the volume low out of consideration for others in your household ? if you're not british ? (like me) . if you don't wish to fain that you understood all the proceedings (with their endless parade of names) ? (like me) . don't purchase this film . send a message to the powers that be (ANCHOR BAY) , that we like film too . September 12, 2008

Death on the Nile - the movie

Movie came quickly and was as good as advertised. Would order from this seller again. August 31, 2008

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