Review of Death on the Nile (1978) by Daniel A — 28 Aug 2011
Like all the big-screen Poirot adventures it overstays its welcome, but with such a sensational cast and Agatha Christie's personal favourite tale, Death on the Nile is a better-than-average success.
Peter Ustinov takes on the iconic role and fits the 'tache rather well, providing a bumbling and more charming incarnation. His supporting cast is A-list through and through, from an unhinged Mia Farrow to the hilarious Angela Lansbury, however it's the genius pairing of Bette Davis and Maggie Smith as bickering spinsters that crackles and really sets the screen alight whenever the two are on screen; they are truly a joy to watch.
Where the film fails is its pacing, which has a tendency to drag during the build up to the big conclusion. On top of this the resolution to the investigation doesn't quite hold the same level of surprise as previous film Murder on the Orient Express, but is by no means a disappointment.
All in all a solid if uneven mystery.
This review of Death on the Nile (1978) was written by Daniel A on 28 Aug 2011.
Death on the Nile has generally received positive reviews.
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