Death on the Nile

John Guillermin (1978)

134min

PG Certificate

Review

Our Score

by David Brown

Peter Ustinov takes over from Albert Finney as pernickety Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot in this solid, star-studded dramatisation of Agatha Christie's paddle-steamer mystery. The plot is suitably tricky, the Egyptian locations dazzling and all the actors onboard seem to be having a terrific time - especially Angela Lansbury as a drunken writer and Maggie Smith as an acid-tongued nurse. It's only in comparison with 1974's Murder on the Orient Express that the film inevitably suffers - the solution isn't quite as jaw-dropping, and some of the whys and wherefores overtax credibility - but a humorous Ustinov keeps the whole thing afloat with his ability to add a twinkle to even the most earnest lines of dialogue.

Summary

Detective Hercule Poirot investigates a murder on board a paddle steamer in Egypt. The victim was an unpopular heiress, whose outspoken manner put her at odds with most of her fellow passengers during their cruise on the Nile. Agatha Christie mystery, starring Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, Maggie Smith, George Kennedy, Mia Farrow, Jane Birkin, Olivia Hussey, Angela Lansbury and David Niven.

Cast & Crew

Hercule Poirot Peter Ustinov

Mrs Van Schuyler Bette Davis

Col Rice David Niven

Mrs Salome Otterbourne Angela Lansbury

Miss Bowers Maggie Smith

Andrew Pennington George Kennedy

Jacqueline de Bellefort Mia Farrow

Louise Bourget Jane Birkin

Linnet Ridgeway Lois Chiles

Rosalie Otterbourne Olivia Hussey

Director John Guillermin

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: EMI DistsGuidance: Edited for violence.Available on: video and DVD

Drama

Full Episode Guide

When is Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile out in UK cinemas? Who is in the cast?

The follow up to Murder on the Orient Express sees Kenneth Branagh (and his moustache) return

Accessibility Links

John Guillermin (1978)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

When is Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile out in UK cinemas? Who is in the cast?

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Death on the Nile

John Guillermin (1978)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

When is Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile out in UK cinemas? Who is in the cast?

Kenneth Branagh's next Poirot movie Death on the Nile casts Marvel, DC and Game of Thrones stars

Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer lands "central" role in Kenneth Branagh's Death on the Nile

10 ways to spot an Agatha Christie murderer

Murder in mind: Why Agatha Christie was cruel, not cosy

Agatha Christie at Christmas: your complete guide to what's on when

Hercule Poirot on screen - the many faces of Agatha Christie's detective

ITV to cut suicide scene from Death on the Nile

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