DEATH ON THE NILE was first published in 1937, and the movie starring Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot was released in 1978. For convenience to anyone who may be interested, I include here a few notes comparing the book to the movie. I can't comment on the made for TV version starring David Souchet since I have not seen it, though reviews seem to say that it was not as good as the 1978 movie.
The main story centers around twenty year old Linnet Ridgeway, a wealthy heiress who somehow manages to make enemies of several people, including her best friend Jackie when she steals and marries Simon Doyle, her fiancee. Linnet and Simon spend their honeymoon in Egypt, where most of this story takes place. She is murdered one night in her cabin aboard a Nile cruise ship, and Poirot and his friend Colonel Race conduct the investigation. There are several suspects on board the ship who either had a grudge against the victim or would benefit financially by her death. Christie has written a great story, with a complex plot, several twists and turns, and a seemingly impossible solution. The book is hard to put down.
The Kindle book is nicely formatted and reads well.
As is typical, the book has several characters and intricate story details and some of these are omitted from the film. There are also some variations in the movie story vs. the book, and to me the biggest difference from the book is that Poirot overtly accuses each suspect of having a motive and the opportunity to commit the crime, and there are accompanying scenes of each suspect retrieving the pistol and killing Linnet Doyle as Poirot describes what they could have done. I suppose this was necessary for the film because much of the book contains quiet, low key Poirot discussing clues and possibilities with Colonel Race, and this would not have been as interesting for movie viewers. For dramatic purposes, the movie also creates enmity between Linnet and Dr. Bessner and Linnet suing author Salome Otterbourne for libel.
The movie creates a nice period setting with award winning costume design, and was filmed on site in Egypt. The photography of sites like the pyramids and ancient temples is stunning. All players acted well, except I think Angela Lansbury over-played the role of alcoholic erotic author Salome Otterbourne because she was always drunk and rarely stood up straight. This exaggeration was done for movie audiences, I suppose.
DEATH ON THE NILE (1978)
Director: John Guillermin
Writer: Anthony Shaffer (screenplay)
Cast (from Wikipedia):
Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective
Lois Chiles as Linnet Ridgeway Doyle, a beautiful heiress with many enemies
Simon MacCorkindale as Simon Doyle, Linnet's handsome husband
Mia Farrow as Jacqueline De Bellefort, Linnet's old school friend, formerly engaged to Simon
Jane Birkin as Louise Bourget, Linnet's maid
George Kennedy as Andrew Pennington, Linnet's embezzling lawyer
Bette Davis as Marie Van Schuyler, a rich kleptomaniac
Maggie Smith as Miss Bowers, her companion whose family was ruined by the Ridgeways
Angela Lansbury as Salome Otterbourne, an exotic novelist Linnet is suing for libel
Olivia Hussey as Rosalie Otterbourne, her delicate, devoted daughter
David Niven as Colonel Johnny Race, Poirot's friend
Jon Finch as Mr. James Ferguson, a communist who resents Linnet's wealth
Jack Warden as Dr. Bessner, a Swiss doctor whose methods Linnet deplores
Celia Imrie as Maid
Harry Andrews as Barnstable
Sam Wanamaker as Rockford
I. S. Johar as Mr. Chaudhry, manager of the 'Karnak'
Saeed Jaffrey as a Servant on the Karnak
The DVD quality is good considering the movie was made in 1978. Hopefully the movie will be digitally restored and released on blu-ray some day.
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An Agatha Christie masterpiece of the highest order, detailing the ghastly murder of an heiress.
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A CLASSIC…
I wasn’t planning on reading this book but after seeing the movie recently (with Kenneth Branagh) I was tempted and finally bought the book!!!While the movie kept pretty close to the book there were a few differences, making each version perfect in its own way. Even knowing how the book ends didn’t make a difference, the book was still able to keep me enthralled until the last page.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2012
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2024
I wasn’t planning on reading this book but after seeing the movie recently (with Kenneth Branagh) I was tempted and finally bought the book!!!
While the movie kept pretty close to the book there were a few differences, making each version perfect in its own way. Even knowing how the book ends didn’t make a difference, the book was still able to keep me enthralled until the last page.
While the movie kept pretty close to the book there were a few differences, making each version perfect in its own way. Even knowing how the book ends didn’t make a difference, the book was still able to keep me enthralled until the last page.
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Top reviews from other countries
Jan from Montreal
This is a great "period" piece
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2022
Anuj
I think this is the best novel of murder mystery.
Reviewed in India on January 31, 2024
Anuj
Reviewed in India on January 31, 2024
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