Tags
1980's, Agatha Christie, Colin Blakely, Denis Quilley, Diana Rigg, Emily Hone, Evil Under the Sun, Guy Hamilton, James Mason, Jane Birkin, Maggie Smith, Murder Mystery, Nicholas Clay, Peter Ustinov, Roddy McDowall, Sylvia Miles
Film Title
Evil Under the Sun
Director
Guy Hamilton
Starring
- Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot
- Jane Birkin as Christine Redfern
- Nicholas Clay as Patrick Redfern
- Maggie Smith as Daphne Castle
- Roddy McDowall as Rex Brewster
- James Mason as Odell Gardener
- Sylvia Miles as Myra Gardener
- Denis Quilley as Kenneth Marshall
- Colin Blakely as Sir Horace Blatt
- Diana Rigg as Arlena Marshall
- Emily Hone as Linda Marshall
Based on the 1941 book by Agatha Christie, Evil Under the Sun may not be up there with Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile as a spectacular rendering of a classic murder mystery, but it does have its charms along the way thanks to a game cast.
The world-renowned Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot is contacted by one Sir Horace Blatt, an industrialist in need of his expertise. He concludes that a diamond in the man’s possession is in fact a fake, Blatt believes that his one time mistress Arlena has the real one that could be worth a huge fortune. Poirot agrees to look into the case and travels to an exclusive island resort in the Adriatic, owned by the acerbic Daphne Castle. Arlena is staying at the resort along with her new husband Kenneth and stepdaughter Linda, who she constantly belittles and berates. Also present is Patrick Redfern, a dashing young man with a roving eye, his meek and mousy wife Christine, bickering theatre managers Odell and Myra Gardener, gossip hound Rex Brewster and eventually Sir Horace Blatt himself. Arlena is a stage actress who has a habit of rubbing people up the wrong way with her bitchy behaviour and diva antics. Although married to Kenneth, she rather publicly begins an affair with the handsome Patrick. Everyone at the resort has some bone to pick with the obnoxious Arlena in one way or another. It is no surprise then to the very observant Poirot that the much hated diva eventually turns up strangled to death on one of the island’s beaches. With an array of suspects who by their own admissions had every reason to kill her, Poirot must deduce who the murderer is among them in order to solve the crime.
If Murder on the Orient Express was the classy and stately affair, and Death on the Nile was the exotic murder mystery, that makes Evil Under the Sun the lighter souffle of the bunch. Whereas the other two Poirot movies succeeded with intrigue, this one sadly falls a little flat in the thrilling mystery department. That isn’t to say it’s bad in any way, just not as memorable as the ones that came before it. Guy Hamilton has a decent go at directing this and the picture does benefit from a certain humorous edge, but after a while it becomes a bit repetitive. The island location is beautifully rendered and bathed in sun-kissed glory. The costume design is absolutely outrageous, with colours here, there and everywhere. The Cole Porter influenced score adds that dash of excitement, but other ventures in the musical department overdo the tropical setting.
What doesn’t falter in Evil Under the Sun is most of the talented cast assembled for it. Peter Ustinov, returning to the role, brings wise and eccentric charm to the part of Poirot. He is clearly having fun with the part, but brings an amount of gravity to it so it doesn’t slip into ridiculousness. Jane Birkin exudes scared vulnerability and weak-willed manners as the wronged wife Christine, who watches as her husband openly has an affair with the bitchy Arlena. Nicholas Clay is excellently virile as the muscled Adonis, most of the time seen in the most revealing pair of speedos known to man, whose dalliance with Arlena may have led to her death. Maggie Smith is an utter delight as the cynical hotel owner Daphne, whose sarcastic barbs and witty tongue make her a joy to watch. Roddy McDowall is a hoot as the gossip hungry journalist trying to unearth scandal, while James Mason and Sylvia Miles are wonderful as the constantly arguing couple. Denis Quilley, while slightly underused on occasion, is good enough as Arlena’s put-upon husband. Meanwhile, Colin Blakely injects garrulous humour to the part of Sir Horace Blatt. As the diva who eventually turns up dead, Diana Rigg has an utter blast portraying the glamorous but shallow and cutting bitch. Emily Hone is suitably angry and increasingly resentful as her stepdaughter.
So all in all, Evil Under the Sun isn’t the best adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel to hit the screen. But it has its positives that make it good entertainment for a matinee screening.
beetleypete said:
That’s a very detailed look at what I used to think was a rather irritating and superficially glossy film Vinnie. Given your appraisal, I may have to re-visit it next time it’s on the box. (Let’s face it though, Suchet nailed Poirot on TV, and neither Ustinov nor Finney came close…)
Cheers mate. Pete.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting Pete. David Suchet is the ultimate Poirot, he played him to perfection.
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thecreativefoxden said:
Thanks for another great review! I do love Maggie Smith and an Agatha Christie movie adaptation.
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vinnieh said:
If you love both of them, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this movie.
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The Telltale Mind said:
Never cared for Poirot, just found these films to be pretty turgid. You make this sound all right though, so maybe it is time for me to give it another go. Cheers!
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vinnieh said:
It’s not the best Poirot movie, but it is watchable enough. Thanks for the comment.
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theipc said:
Don’t tell lies – that’s a selfie of you by the pool………………..
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vinnieh said:
It isn’t but thanks for the compliment anyway Eric.
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theipc said:
LIES!
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vinnieh said:
What makes you think it’s me Eric?
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theipc said:
I know how your brain works!
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vinnieh said:
Is that so Eric? Personally I don’t think I’d fit into anything that tight.
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vinnieh said:
You still don’t think it’s me in that photo do you?
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theipc said:
I’m positive it is!
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vinnieh said:
Really, no one else has said so yet. I wonder what they think of it.
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Jordan Dodd said:
Dude I’m seriously going to have to keep a seperate notebook titled ‘Vinnie’s recomendations’! Reading your reviews it is clear there are so many classic movies I need to see sooner rather than later!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the high praise dude.
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Jordan Dodd said:
no worries mate, everything you review I haven’t seen!! But you make it sound like I bloody should have already!
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vinnieh said:
Glad you like the reviews. I was having an interesting discussion with Eric earlier about him thinking that the guy in this post in the speedos was me. Hehe.
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Natasha said:
Great review Vinnieh!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks Natasha, glad to hear you liked reading my thoughts on it.
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sweetarchive said:
I’m an Agatha Christie fan and used to love reading her books when I was younger. I believe the world divides into 2 groups: Hercule Poirot fans and Miss Marple fans. Not sure which one I belong to yet… I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Agatha movie adaptation before, but this one sounds really interesting. As usual, I love your detailed descriptions. Great post, Vinnie!!
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting. If you like Christie, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this film. Also, you should check out my reviews of other Christie novels turned into films.
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sweetarchive said:
Will do! 🙂
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vinnieh said:
Hope you enjoy reading them.
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sweetarchive said:
I’m positive I will. It brings be back to my teen years reading about Agatha Christie’s stories.
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vinnieh said:
The two I reviewed are two of my personal favourites, Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Nice review Vinnie! I think my favorite will always be Murder On the Orient Express. I remember watching it with my dad on tv when I was a kid and wanting to go on the train. Still do, now that I think of it.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for your comment, I reviewed Murder on the Orient Express a while back if you’re interested, as well as Death on the Nile. You can’t beat a good Agatha Christie adaptation.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Absolutely! I’ll check them out. Thanks Vinnie.
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vinnieh said:
Really appreciate it.
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jeffgoulding said:
Very detailed review Vinnie. Even without the pictures scattered throughout the article I could imagine the scenes and the atmosphere of the film from your description. I have to say I agree with an earlier comment that Suchet has nailed the role of Poirot which is impressive considering he follwed a great like Ustinov. Great Review.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for the positive comment Jeff. I think because Suchet played the role for such a long time and did it so well, for many he is the best version of Poirot.
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Cavershamragu said:
I saw this one when ti came out at the cinema and remember feeling disappointed because it seemed both to be on a much smaller scale than the previous two Poirot films and because it does re-use the plot of DEATH ON THE NILE, which is in the original novel. The filmmakers seemed to want to make this even more obvious by re-using part of the same screw (screenwriter and costume designer) and cast (Ustinov, Birkin, Smith). And yet – and yet, as the decades have passed, i have come to find it funnier and funnier, not as ghoulish as NILE (with the endless flashback repetition of the murder scenes) and the embellishments on the book are very impressive I find too. it’s not as spectacular as NILE not quite as star-studded as ORIENT EXPRESS and as you say, it is in a much lighter vein – but it remains classy, witty, the Porter score is marvellous (I even have the CD) and I think i have now seen it more often than either of the previous Poirots, which to me now seem a bit too long and gloomy in fact.
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vinnieh said:
Thanks for commenting, glad you liked my take on it.
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Cavershamragu said:
Looks like you got a ton of feedback on this one – old Agatha remains as popular as ever, doesn’t she? Amazing, really …
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vinnieh said:
Totally agree, her stories certainly live on to this day. Though I do believe my photo of Nicholas Clay in those speedos may have something to do with some of the feedback, haha.
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Cavershamragu said:
Well, I was going to say, the truly torrential comments you got on SIN CITY would tend to back this up. 🙂 However, I’ll gladly settle for la Birkin, even when she’s covered up in her bizarre anti-sun outfits!
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vinnieh said:
Hehe, you saw those naughty comments on Sin City then.
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Cavershamragu said:
Hard to miss chum – have you ever had that many comments on any post before? Absolutely incredible 🙂
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vinnieh said:
No, it’s the most commented on post on this blog. I can’t complain about that.
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Cavershamragu said:
Well done chum – truly something to boast about (bare behinds not withstanding 🙂 )
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vinnieh said:
Thanks, if you want to see more raunchy material, check out my Ladies posts. They’ve gone down a storm here, you can find them in the category Movie opinions and thoughts.
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Cavershamragu said:
I just might have to absent myself from that Vinnieh – getting a bit old and I wouldn’t want to keel over!
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vinnieh said:
They’re not graphic photos, everything’s classy on this blog, up to a certain point. Please check them out, it would be interesting to hear what you think.
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Cavershamragu said:
Well, if you insist …
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vinnieh said:
Enjoy my good friend.
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Cavershamragu said:
🙂
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vinnieh said:
I take it that smile means you approve of the posts.
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Cavershamragu said:
I’ll get back to you chum!
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vinnieh said:
Message received.
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Abbi said:
Wow… that is some serious butt cleavage!
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vinnieh said:
You said it Abbi, I don’t know how the guy got into those tight speedos.
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Jonathan Payne said:
I’ve not yet encountered any of the Agatha Christie adaptations. I might leave this one until the end, but they sound like they might be some good viewing.
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vinnieh said:
Thank you for commenting, you can check out my other reviews of movies based on her work with the links in this review.
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The Muscleheaded Blog said:
well done review — thank you !
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vinnieh said:
Appreciate you commenting.
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Laura said:
This one always seems to be on TV, along with Death on the Nile. I think they’re the only ones I’ve seen all the way through.
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vinnieh said:
It’s worth checking out sister.
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Laura said:
It’s on ITV3 in 12 minutes!
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vinnieh said:
You should watch it and review it.
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Laura said:
I’ve set it to record : )
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vinnieh said:
Great, can’t wait to hear what you think.
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jennypugh said:
I know I’m late to the party, but I had to throw my comment in. I only got to see this film last year, and I thought it would be a bore-fest, but it was brilliant! Maggie Smith is simply fabulous. I think I need to dig it out and watch it again…
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vinnieh said:
Maggie Smith is always fabulous with whatever she does. You simply can’t beat a good Agatha Christie murder mystery, there’s so much fun trying to figure out who committed the murder.
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