Evil Under the Sun (1982)

Director:

Guy Hamilton

Writer:

Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)

Release Date:

5 March 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Evil is Everywhere. Even in Paradise.

Plot:

Trying to find how a millionaire wound up with a phony diamond brings Hercule Poirot to an exclusive island resort frequented by the rich and famous. When a murder is committed, everyone has an alibi.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Hercule Poirot | Murder | Hotel | Whodunit

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Peter Ustinov	...	Hercule Poirot
Jane Birkin	...	Christine Redfern
Colin Blakely	...	Sir Horace Blatt
Nicholas Clay	...	Patrick Redfern
James Mason	...	Odell Gardener
Roddy McDowall	...	Rex Brewster
Sylvia Miles	...	Myra Gardener
Denis Quilley	...	Captain Kenneth Marshall
Diana Rigg	...	Arlena Stuart Marshall
Maggie Smith	...	Daphne Castle
Emily Hone	...	Linda Marshall
John Alderson	...	Police Sergeant
Paul Antrim	...	Police Inspector
Cyril Conway	...	Police Surgeon
Barbara Hicks	...	Mr. Flewitt's Secretary

Also Known As:

Agatha Christie's Evil Under the Sun (UK) (complete title)

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English | German | French

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Ireland:PG | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Norway:16 (1982) | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Company:

EMI Films

Trivia:

For the French version of the film, both Peter Ustinov and Jane Birkin dubbed their own voices.

Goofs:

Continuity: As the Gardeners sit on the terrace watching Arlena's arrival, Odell calls Myra "Myrna."

Quotes:

Daphne Castle: I've just had a telephone call from your friend Sir Horace. He says he's having trouble with his... his... his piffle valve?
Poirot: Such a valve still has to be invented, Madame.
Daphne Castle: Oh, well I dare say you're right, I wasn't paying that much attention, anyway the result is he'll be 24 hours late.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Making of Agatha Christie's 'Evil Under the Sun' (1982) (TV)

Soundtrack:

You're the Top

Agatha's novel comes to brilliant life.

In a time when people consider the likes of Vin Diesel, Jack Black, and various three name actors as underated actors, people should realize what a brilliant talent Sir Peter Ustinov is. Ustinov, a two-time Academy Award winner, has done it all, whether it would be Kubrick films, children's programs, teleplays, feature films: you name it, he's done it. He also plays the definitive Hercule Poirot, the Agatha Christie creation.

Evil Under The Sun is done almost like a play, but a good play. Poirot is vacationing at a posh resort as the fee for helping a millionaire find out who stole his expensive diamond. Poirot meets up with plenty of the usual types that would be at these places in the mid-30's, including an ex-actress named Arlena Marshall (Diana Rigg) who is pretty much hated by everyone. As in all cases with murder mysteries, Mrs. Marshall is murdered, and Poirot uses his abilities to solve the crime.

This movie was great. It drew me in because Ustinov and the all-star cast work brilliantly together to make the film a joy. The acting and the story are superb. Also, despite the fact that it's an 80's movie, you won't see any of the trappings of that decade. Hey, any film with an English-speaking Jane Birkin is a must watch for me. I don't know if it's available on DVD, but I'm sure A&E or some other similar channel will air it. Recommended.