Death on the Nile (1978)

As Hercule Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board. Can Poirot identify the killer before the ship reaches the end of its journey?

Director:

John Guillermin

Writer:

Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Ustinov, Mia Farrow, Simon MacCorkindale

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Ustinov	...	Hercule Poirot
Jane Birkin	...	Louise Bourget
Lois Chiles	...	Linnet Ridgeway
Bette Davis	...	Mrs. Van Schuyler
Mia Farrow	...	Jacqueline De Bellefort
Jon Finch	...	Mr. Ferguson
Olivia Hussey	...	Rosalie Otterbourne
I.S. Johar	...	Manager of the Karnak
George Kennedy	...	Andrew Pennington
Angela Lansbury	...	Mrs. Salome Otterbourne
Simon MacCorkindale	...	Simon Doyle
David Niven	...	Colonel Race
Maggie Smith	...	Miss Bowers
Jack Warden	...	Dr. Bessner
Harry Andrews	...	Barnstaple

Storyline

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...

---

Plot Keywords:

cruise | writer | honeymoon | american | detective | 

---

Taglines:

The only thing that could follow "Murder" is "Death"

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English French Arabic German

Release Date:

29 September 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

Muerte en el Nilo

Filming Locations:

Abu Simbel Temple, Abu Simbel, Egypt

Box Office

Budget:

$7,920,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mersham Productions Ltd., EMI Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Colour by) (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The exterior of "Wode Hall" the Ridgeway estate in the film was later used in the opening credits of the TV series Silver Spoons (1982).

---

Goofs

When Poirot is wandering round Linnet's bed after she had been killed, you can clearly see Lois Chiles breathing.

---

Quotes

Mrs. Van Schuyler: You need a nice cool holiday, I was thinking of a trip along the Gobi Desert!

---

Connections

Followed by Thirteen at Dinner (1985)

---

Soundtracks

Jalousie
(uncredited)
Music by Jacob Gade
Played during the tango scene

User Reviews

Another case for Agatha Christie's sleuth Hercule Poirot

The book, from which this film was adapted, is probably one of Agatha Christie's best. The plot centres on Linnet Doyle, a woman who stole her best friend's fiancé. The scorned Jackie pursues the couple wherever they go, and when she follows them onto a Nile cruise, it seems that Jackie is not the only one who has a motive for murder. Of course, the ever dependable Poirot is on hand to solve the incredibly cleverly planned crime.

This film contains some fantastic scenes set in the heart of Egypt, along with an all star cast. The most brilliant performance of all comes from Angela Lansbury, who plays Mrs. Otterbourne, a drunken old writer who apparently used Linnet in one of her overly erotic books and is consequently being taken to court where she may loose everything. Lansbury captures the humorous side but also the unfortunate aspect of the character and it is this immense acting ability that should have won her an Oscar.

The chemistry between the main characters is marvellous and at the end, when the final solution to the affair is presented, the audience is shocked when they learn who did it, appreciating fully the extent of Christie's genius. This is a fantastic film, which builds up tension fantastically, and is perhaps one of the greatest films ever made, and is always underrated.