Agatha Christie's Death On The Nile (DVD)

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Agatha Christie is the most popular crime writer in history, her books selling more than two billion copies worldwide- she is undoubtedly the 'queen of crime.' It has been estimated that she has been outsold only by the Bible and William Shakespeare. Written in 1937, 'Death on the Nile' is as popular today as it has ever been. Set in Egypt primarily, Christie took much of her African inspiration from her interest in archaeology, ...
...was always a fan of Agatha Christie novels, having read 'Death on the Nile' when I was around eleven. I was immediately interested when I saw a copy of the 1978 classic 'Death on the Nile' in a sale recently for £5.99. Usually you pay around £9.99 for a copy. Previously you had only been able to buy the film as part of the Agatha Christie collection, but now it is available to buy as a single, which is handy if you don't want to splash out for the ... more

BACKGROUND

Agatha Christie is the most popular crime writer in history, her books selling more than two billion copies worldwide- she is undoubtedly the 'queen of crime.' It has been estimated that she has been outsold only by the Bible and William Shakespeare. Written in 1937, 'Death on the Nile' is as popular today as it has ever been. Set in Egypt primarily, Christie took much of her African inspiration from her interest in archaeology, as she travelled with her husband, the eminent archaeologist Max Mallowan on many field trips. It is this actual knowledge of the Egyptian area that makes the book so readable, and easy to translate onto the big screen.

I was always a fan of Agatha Christie novels, having read 'Death on the Nile' when I was around eleven. I was immediately interested when I saw a copy of the 1978 classic 'Death on the Nile' in a sale recently for £5.99. Usually you pay around £9.99 for a copy. Previously you had only been able to buy the film as part of the Agatha Christie collection, but now it is available to buy as a single, which is handy if you don't want to splash out for the box set!

With the approval of Christie, the film is a perfect adaptation of one of the most perfect murder mysteries in history. It is the classic 'who done it' with all the guests on the liner the 'Karnak' being suspects in the eyes of Christie's famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

This is the second of the four famous Christie adaptations for film. Originally Albert Finney was proposed to reprise his role as the famous detective, but the pressures of wearing so much make-up, and the heat of filming on location in Egypt put him off the idea. Therefore the role went to the superb character actor Peter Ustinov. He adds something different to the role of Poirot that Finney does not do in 'Murder on the Orient Express.'

CAST

Just as in 'Murder on the Orient Express', the studio strove to get a superb ensemble cast together, and they did just that. There is Peter Ustinov playing the Belgian sleuth, Bette Davis playing Mrs Van Schuyler, an old lady obsessed with pearls, and Maggie Smith playing her maid. Clearly this was to be a cast of incredibly famous people.

David Niven adds his name to the list playing Colonel Race, Poirot's friend, and Angela Lansbury plays the eccentric authoress Salome Otterbourne. Her daughter is played by the beautiful Olivia Hussey, Simon MacCorkindale of Casualty fame plays the romantic lead to perfection! Mia Farrow plays the jealous ex-girlfriend and Lois Chiles rounds off the famous cast, oozing glamour into her role.

PLOT

The screenplay does not really stray too far from the Christie novel. Clearly due to the constraints of time a few roles are made smaller, so that the plot can focus on the main murders rather than being side tracked by the numerous red herrings Christie always has in her work.

The film begins in England, with a brief history of how heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles) met the penniless Simon Doyle (Simon MacCorkindale). When Linnet comes home to her English mansion, she finds that her good friend Jacqueline De Bellefort (Mia Farrow) is waiting inside with exciting news. Jacqueline enthusiastically tells Linnet of her engagement to the love of her life, Simon Doyle. As he is currently flat broke, Jacqueline pleads with Linnet to give Simon a job at her estate. After meeting Simon in person, Linnet agrees with Jacqueline's opinion of Simon, and winds up marrying Simon herself, having no qualms about taking what she wants. Simon readily dumps Jacqueline, crushing her emotionally, filling her with resentment and rage.

The pair decide to honeymoon on the Nile, but to their astonishment and anger find that Jacqueline is there, seemingly following them. They all board the cruiser 'Karnak' and meet up with the other guests, such as Davis and Lansbury. As it turns out Linnet knows a good few of them. She is suing Salome Otterbourne, and believes Mrs Van Schuyler wants to steal her pearls. But hey, at least she is out of the way of Jacqueline, who does not appeal to have booked on the cruise.

Night falls and Jacqueline turns up, drunk and causing a scene. In a drunken state she hurls abuse at the other passengers and gradually people begin to leave the saloon. Linnet leaves, Simon remains and tries to talk to her, but she shoots him in the leg. The following morning Linnet is found dead by her maid, Jacqueline has a watertight alibi because of the happenings of the night before, and so Poirot takes charge of the investigation to see who committed murder on the Nile. Due to their location on the river it becomes clear to Poirot that only the twelve people cruising could have possibly committed the murder. So it is now down to him to check people's alibis, as it seems like almost everyone had a reason for wanting Linnet dead!

In true Poirot fashion, he does indeed find who the murderer is….but I don't want o give any more away than I already have. I wouldn't want to spoil it for those of you who are yet to see the film!

CONCLUSION

The script is so strong that the film could hardly fail to please. Anthony Schafer did some of his best work on the Christie movies, his words keeping the audiences interested and the movie moving at a fast pace. The direction is good and the movie is stunning to look at, all courtesy of John Guillermin's vision. Not only this, but each member of the cast has a way of showcasing their own talents, while not outshining any other member.

Peter Ustinov is utterly convincing as the Belgian sleuth, Angels Lansbury is wonderful as the ill fated Salome Otterbourne, earning a best supporting actress nomination for her performance at the British Academy Awards. Maggie Smith also had a nomination in the same category for her role as Mrs Bowers, Bette Davis's maid. Davis herself can be said to be entertaining, not her best, but then again she is not required to carry the film. It has been commented on that a lot of the cast were unhappy while filming occurred in Egypt. The temperature and conditions simply did not suit them. However, this unhappiness is not evident upon the screen, as I found all the performances thoroughly enjoyable.

The DVD offers a making of documentary which I found very interesting. It tells how they filmed many of the indoor scenes, which it turns out were filmed on a boat in dry dock in England. This documentary also includes intervews with the cast and crew. A trailor is also included under the extras menu.

Overall, 'Death on the Nile' is one of the most entertaining films I have ever seen. There is no dull moments or lulls in the film where your mind would begin to wonder. John Guillermin keeps the audiences attention perfectly through out the 140 minute running time. Plus, you will never guess who did it…..or at least I didn't!
 

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