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Death on the Nile (1978) Reviews

Death on the Nile (1978)
Member Rating:  
Peter Ustinov began his long association with the Hercule Poirot character of murder mystery novelist Agatha Christie with this lavish but financially disappointing follow-up to the popular Murder on the Orient Express (1974). During a luxurious pleasure cruise down the Nile aboard a lavish vessel populated with wealthy passengers, widely despised heiress and home wrecker Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles) is murdered. Also aboard is famed Belgian detective Poirot (Ustinov) and his taciturn traveling companion, Colonel Race (David Niven). Poirot undertakes an investigation into Ridgeway's killing. Among the colorful suspects are Salome (Angela Lansbury) and Rosalie Otterbourne (Olivia Hussey), Doctor Bessner (Jack Warden), Mrs. Van Schuyler (Bette Davis), Miss Bowers (Maggie Smith), and Jacqueline De Bellefort (Mia Farrow). As more bodies pile up, however, it appears that nearly everyone aboard has a motive. The script for Death on the Nile (1978) was adapted by Anthony Shaffer, the writer of Sleuth (1972) and the identical twin brother of Amadeus (1984) author Peter Shaffer. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Peter Ustinov, Jane Birkin, (more)
Director(s):
John Guillermin
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
PG
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(9 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Mike D.

This is probably the finest Agatha Christie adaptation ever made. The entire production is sumptuous. The all-star cast makes it a delight (Angela Lansbury almost steals the show with her depiction of a lurching, reeling, perpetually blotto romantic novelist). And the fact that the crew went to Egypt to show us the Nile firsthand, and the pyramids, and the temple at Karnak, only adds to the overall pleasure.

Yes   |   No


Matt B.

Pretty good movie, although you should watch for the cast and not the actual mystery. The production values at times make it look like a TV movie instead of a big, star-studded release. My only problem with the film was it's depiction of Egyptians which I found racist and insulting. And does anyone else get the empression that there was a little romance going on between Ustinov's and Niven's characters or is it just me?

Yes   |   No


Joseph W.

Death on the Nile is another star-studded "who-dunnit." This time, the setting is the Nile, rather than the Orient Express. Peter Ustinov takes over the role of Poirot with a humor and poignancy that Albert Finney lacked. The first part of the movie, until the time the passengers/suspects boarded the Karnac, is deadly dull, offering only the occasional plot points. Once aboard the ship, the plot, characters, and cast come together for a wild romp. Imagine Bette Davis and Maggie Smith as a comic duo; Angela Lansbury as a drunken and horny writer to name only a few. Solving the crime had me on the edge of my seat - and I STILL got it wrong. In the end, Poirot solves the crime and we see that he feels badly that the murderer made the choice that he or she (no, I'm not telling) made. I strongly recommend this movie.

Yes   |   No


Stephen R.

I saw this when it was ACTUALLY a feature at the movies! Excellent flick and the book is a superior read by a much copied author!

Yes   |   No


Tammy M.

Very entertaining. Loved the exotic locales.

Yes   |   No


James and Camille M.

Star studded clasic espically if you've been up or down the Nile.

Yes   |   No


Peggy K.

An all star cast. The person who died was very predictable but the perpetrator was not predictable. The movie was long on trying to predict the killer. But I still liked this old movie because I llove the old movies.

Yes   |   No


Mary H.

I think I first saw this edition of Agatha Christie's mystery on PBS. It was very enjoyable to see again. The movie was true to Agatha Christie's story and was well executed both in dialog and scenery.

Yes   |   No


Dorinna H.

This movie features ELIZABETH TAYLOR and ANGELA LANDSBURY. It is a great "who dun it" with great actors. IT IS A CLASSIC! must see !

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Mike D.

    This is probably the finest Agatha Christie adaptation ever made. The entire production is sumptuous. The all-star cast makes it a delight (Angela Lansbury almost steals the show with her depiction of a lurching, reeling, perpetually blotto romantic novelist). And the fact that the crew went to Egypt to show us the Nile firsthand, and the pyramids, and the temple at Karnak, only adds to the overall pleasure.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Matt B.

    Pretty good movie, although you should watch for the cast and not the actual mystery. The production values at times make it look like a TV movie instead of a big, star-studded release. My only problem with the film was it's depiction of Egyptians which I found racist and insulting. And does anyone else get the empression that there was a little romance going on between Ustinov's and Niven's characters or is it just me?

    Yes   |   No

     
    Joseph W.

    Death on the Nile is another star-studded "who-dunnit." This time, the setting is the Nile, rather than the Orient Express. Peter Ustinov takes over the role of Poirot with a humor and poignancy that Albert Finney lacked. The first part of the movie, until the time the passengers/suspects boarded the Karnac, is deadly dull, offering only the occasional plot points. Once aboard the ship, the plot, characters, and cast come together for a wild romp. Imagine Bette Davis and Maggie Smith as a comic duo; Angela Lansbury as a drunken and horny writer to name only a few. Solving the crime had me on the edge of my seat - and I STILL got it wrong. In the end, Poirot solves the crime and we see that he feels badly that the murderer made the choice that he or she (no, I'm not telling) made. I strongly recommend this movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
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