Review of Death on the Nile (1978) by Ian B — 13 Sep 2009

Death on the Nile is always overshadowed by Murder on the Orient Express, but I feel it's every bit as good and offers even more twists and surprises. As with Orient Express, we're given one of the best ensemble casts ever put to film; Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, David Niven, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, Olivia Hussey....the list goes on. Peter Ustinov does seem a little miscast as Poirot (then again so was Albert Finney) but is enjoyable none-the-less and holds the film together very well. Unlike Bond or Doctor Who, it's just hard for me to get used to anyone but David Suchet as Poirot.

The story holds up extremely well, the locations are amazing, the performances are top-notch, and at a running time of well over two hours the film moves along surprisingly fast. And, of course, the twist ending completely delivers. That's why Agatha Christie is the best, once you've seen the film you can go back and all the clues make perfect sense (unlike movies today where everything seems slapped together). Any fan of mysteries, or great movies in general, would be silly not to see this. Great stuff.