Review of Death on the Nile (1978) by Johnny T — 06 Jun 2013

Death on the Nile is a fine entertainment that is lovely to look at and easy to enjoy. Peter Ustinov is cast as the great Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot in this Agatha Christie whodonit. Following the format of "Murder on the Orient Express," the film introduces an eccentric group of people all with a reason to murder. The victim this time is Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles), a self-satisfied millionairess. After she is shot, Poirot and his friend Colonel Rice (David Niven) begin checking out a long list of possible suspects. There's also Angela Lansbury's tipsy portrayal of a romantic novelist; Bette Davis as a stuffy and overbearing Washington socialite and Maggie Smith as her bitter companion; Jack Warden as an hysterical Swiss physician. Death on the Nile is a clever, witty, well-plotted, beautifully-produced and splendidly acted screen version of Agatha Christie's mystery. It's old-fashioned stylized entertainment with a big cast and lush locations. Peter Ustinov is the fourth actor to play Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot.

VERDICT: "High-Quality Stuff" - [Positive Reaction] This is a rating to a movie I view as very entertaining and well made, and definitely worth paying the full price at a theatre to see or own on DVD. It is not perfect, but it is definitely excellent. (Films that are rated 3.5 or 4 stars).