Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile (1978 with Peter Ustinov, David Niven and Bette Davis)

Director: John Guillermin
Writer: Anthony Shaffer, based on the novel by Agatha Christie

Cast: Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, David Niven, Lois Chiles, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, Sam Wanamaker, Mia Farrow, Jon Finch, Olivia Hussey, George Kennedy, IS Johar, Simon MacCorkindale, Jack Warden, Jane Birkin, Harry Andrews

The sequel to Murder on the Orient Express again features an all-star cast, with Peter Ustinov as the fourth actor to take on the role of Hercule Poirot, the Belgian wonder detective. Here he is called on to solve the case of the murder of bitchy heiress Lois Chiles, who is slain while on a luxury cruise down the Nile. A thoroughly bitchy character, Chiles is a fiance-stealer who lacks most of the social graces and Ustinov investigates the potential suspects from a cast that includes Bette Davis, Angela Lansbury, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, Jon Finch, Olivia Hussey, Simon MacCorkindale, Jack Warden and Jane Birkin.

Dressed in period costumes by Anthony Powell (who won an Oscar for his work), the cast wander both the pleasure cruiser and the sights of Egypt as Ustinov puts together the story of the assassination and, in typical Christie style. Said Variety : “[it} is a clever, witty, well-plotted, beautifully produced and splendidly acted version of Agatha Christie’s mystery. It’s an old fashioned stylised entertainment with a big cast and lush locations” and “In a time when so many pictures are carelessly plotted, it’s a pleasure to see on where the pieces fit together so well. Shaffer deserves high marks here.”

Tagged Agatha Christie, Angela Lansbury, Anthony Shaffer, Bette Davis, David Niven, George Kennedy, Harry Andrews, IS Johar, Jack Warden, Jane Birkin, Jon Finch, Lois Chiles, Maggie Smith, Mia Farrow, Mystery, Olivia Hussey, Peter Ustinov, Sam Wanamaker, Simon MacCorkindale