Breakinger A Brilliant Conflict

ChicDragon It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

aramis-112-804880 After the success of "Murder on the Orient Express" its producers decided to continue reveling in Agatha Christie. They thought they found the formula: a cast studded with international stars playing a clump of potential murderers in a cramped but exotic locale. In "Murder on the Orient Express" it was a train. Here, it is a paddlewheeler cruising the Nile (what else?) As with "Orient Express" the cast is truly amazing. Albert Finny, unable or unwilling to reprise his Poirot, was transformed into Peter Ustinov. Ustinov bears no resemblance to the Poirot described by Christie; but while his Poirot is more clownish and idiosyncratic, Ustinov was a big name star at the time.For the rest of the cast, the always welcome David Niven checks in as Christie's Col. Race, brightening an otherwise thankless role as Poirot's assistant.The big casting coup (as with Lauren Bacall in "Orient Express") was motion picture grand dame Bette Davis; once a great star, in the years before "Nile" she was often relegated to horror movies. Joining Davis were Angela Lansbury, "Airport" veteran George Kennedy, Maggie Smith, Jack Warden, Harry Andrews, Bond girl Lois Chiles, Mia Farrow and the ethereally beautiful Olivia Hussey.But "Nile" has several things working against it.First, in "Orient Express" the murder victim was himself a vicious kidnapper/murderer (his story is based on the Lindbergh kidnapping case) so the sympathy was all with the murderer(s). In this case the murder is more tragic, which gives the story a less gay tone.Then, too, Paul Dehn, the script writer who gave "Orient Express" its wit and sparkle, condensing the book without losing Christie, was dead before "Nile." His replacement, Anthony Shaffer ("Sleuth") was more coarse in language and intent and seems unhappy with the confines of the original tale (in fact, his more delightful script for "Evil Under the Sun" a few years later was, for all intents and purposes, an original story).Whether due to Ustinov's radically unique Poirot, the glumness of the story, or the slightly tarnished cast, "Nile" did not do the business of "Orient Express" which, whatever its artistic triumphs, is ultimately more important in the movie business."Murder on the Orient Express" preceded "Star Wars" by a few years and the movies were still the movies as they had been since the silents: with glamor, charm and classy stars winning out. This is especially true in 1974, after the 1960s and early 70smovies went through a period of grittiness and experimentation that rubbed some people's fur the wrong way. Paul Dehn's "Orient Express" script was free from the sex and bad language and gave star turns to all its big names. "Orient Express" was murderous fun for the whole family."Murder on the Orient Express" also came at a time when all-star attractions were the rage. "The Towering Inferno" and "Earthquake" were released the same year as "Orient Express"; on the other hand, the last and least of the big-name disaster movies, "The Swarm," came out the same year as "Nile." Movies featuring big stars in little boxes on their posters were falling out of favor. "Star Wars" (1977) and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1978) were driving the last nails into the coffin of the glitz and glamour of old the Hollywood "Orient Express" and "Nile" tried to lovingly recapture.Though outwardly exotically similar to "Orient Express," "Nile" lacks its predecessor's sense of fun in its more unpleasant tale, where the murder is not justice or rightful retribution but simply a tawdry story in a handsome set of clothes.The most unbelievable thing about "Nile" is that Ustinov's flamboyantly un-Christie Poirot would reappear five more times, once in the movies (the delightful but unfaithful "Evil Under the Sun") and four more times on television reductions.The best things about "Nile": David Niven, the tango scene, the beauties of Egypt.

Ross622 John Guillermin's "Death on the Nile" is the best adaptation that I've seen from Agatha Christie's work since watching Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution" (1957) almost 5 years ago, but the only difference between the two movies is that this one is adapted from one of her books. This movie is also the best whodunit I've seen since I don't know when. Peter Ustinov stars as a French detective named Hercule Poirot who goes on a cruise-boat for a relaxing vacation along the Nile River with an interesting group of people most of whom he hardly even knows, except for one person. The only person that Poirot knows is Col. Race (David Niven) and after a murder happens on the boat the two men would be asked to investigate this case along with two more murders. After the first murder every single passenger except two people, then after the next two murders the list of suspects gets two additions and two subtractions, then both Poirot and Case arrive at their conclusion. I was literally on the edge of my seat while watching this movie so much that I felt like I was watching people playing the board game "Clue" and I do mean that as a compliment to this movie. Anthony Shaffer's screenplay is expertly written, and John Guillermin's direction makes the movie hold the suspense all the way to the end of the movie. Jack Cardiff's cinematography is also excellent and that along with Nino Rota's score also heightens the suspense of the movie. The performances are also excellent and along with Ustinov the movie also features an excellent supporting cast including several Oscar winners along with Niven also include Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, and George Kennedy of which all of them give standout performances, as well as Oscar nominees Angela Lansbury and Jack Warden. This is one of the ten best movies of 1978, and is a riveting watch from start to finish which is why I highly recommend this movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, as well as for people who like murder mystery films.

grantss Very intriguing, and scenic, whodunnit.Based on the Agatha Christie novel, our favourite Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot, is on a cruise up the Nile. He is surrounded by an interesting assortment of characters, including a wealthy heiress and her husband, on their honeymoon. It appears that everyone hates the heiress...Very interesting, mysterious and tense murder mystery. The backgrounds of the different characters, including potential motives, are explored well before the murder occurs. It is never obvious who the murderer is (at one stage I thought we might have another Murder on the Orient Express on our hands...). Great twist at the end.Great scenery and cinematography too. Shot on the Nile, with the characters also visiting pyramids and other ancient sites. Star-filled cast (as seems to be the custom for Poirot movies): Peter Ustinov (as Poirot), David Niven, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury (who really should have been able to solve the mystery herself...), George Kennedy, Maggie Smith, Olivia Hussey, Jack Warden and Harry Andrews. Also includes Lois Chiles who I am surprised did not turn out to be a bigger star (if you see her in this movie, you'll understand...). Solid performances from all of them. Maggie Smith, as Miss Bowers, gets the funniest lines, though has limited screen time.

Paul Evans Not taking into account the TV series of BBC and ITV I would class this as the best of the movies with Christie's name on.A beautiful lavish film, which boasts sublime direction, a wonderful cast, a gorgeous accompanying score, and the perfect mix of story and drama. The scenery is fabulous, the whole movie is a true feast for the eyes, the Pyramids, the Nile, even the costumes. It comes as no surprise the movie won an Oscar for costume design, they were spot on.The casting is impeccable, it is a flawless mix of people, Lois Chiles is incredibly beautiful, so believable. My favourite role of Mia Farrow's, I believe her all the way through. Simon MacCorkindale was perfect casting too, a great piece of casting with an enviable jawline. Too many wonderful performances to comment on them all, but Maggie Smith and Bette Davis win it for me, they made a sensational double act.I loved Ustinov's characterisation of Poirot, for me he beats Finney, whom I did admire but found a little on the theatrical side, there was something more natural about Ustinov, albeit he's not exactly how I visualise the famous Belgian sleuth. I mentioned in my review of Murder on the Orient Express that I felt Finney suited the flavour of that movie, and I'll say the same for Ustinov here, somehow it fits him perfectly.Often when I'm asked what my favourite movie of all time is I answer 'Death on the Nile,' it has so many incredibly good elements. It is a magnificent film, the story itself is one of my favourites. 10/10