Evil Under the Sun
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Movie Reviews of Evil Under the Sun
Movie Review: Delightful
Summary: 4 Stars
Not a great film, maybe will be disappointing to Agatha Christie fans who want faithfulness to the mood of the novel, but, to an average movie goer who wants to spend a couple of hours of good entertainment, this fits the bill.
A superb cast--led by the incomparable Peter Ustinov---and a gorgeous setting, plus terrific costumes, will give you plenty to enjoy, even if you're not particularly interested in solving the mystery of the murder. The murder, which may have been treated more seriously in the book, seems really like a pretext here for making a stylish, fun movie.
For my money, Ustinov's performance alone is worth the price of admission. He is so immensely funny and charming and sweet, that you will fall in love with him way before the end of the film. All the others are first rate. I particularly enjoyed Sylvia Miles as a terribly over-dressed, over-tanned, loud wife of a Broadway producer. Also, Jane Birkin was quite stunning in the role of the "pathetic" wife. Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith, James Mason, all first rate actors lend their considerable talents to prop up a silly plot. Cole Porter's music fits the ambiance perfectly.
Good light summertime entertainment. If you can't go to Majorca, this is the next best thing.
Movie Review: Witty dialog given royal treatment by Rigg and Smith...
Summary: 4 Stars
Definitely one of the more enjoyable adaptations of Agatha Christie novels due to brilliant dialog exchanges between members of an all-star cast--as well as the inclusion of a number of attractive Cole Porter tunes amid spectacular scenic backgrounds.
If you enjoyed Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot in 'Death on the Nile' you'll find him twice as amusing in this one. But the film really belongs to Diana Rigg and Maggie Smith who have a fine time with the witty, brittle lines. James Mason and Roddy McDowall are also impressive, as are a number of other players who form the usual vast number of suspects.
A clever, if contrived, plot that strains credibility--depending so much on coincidence, sheer luck and perfect timing--but as usual, Christie is clever enough to cover any such weaknesses with other distractions.
Enjoyable for any mystery fan. The photography of the seaside spa is a feast for the eyes and the jaunty Cole Porter background music helps immeasurably to place the period settings.
Movie Review: Bright sunshine and dark motivations
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot in "Death on the Nile", so I happily picked up Mr. Ustinov's Poirot follow-up, "Evil Under the Sun". Like "Death on the Nile" and most other Christie TV/film adaptations, on one level this is pretty by-the-numbers stuff: you get an eccentric cast of characters, a colorful locale, someone who everyone has a reason to hate and soon becomes a murder victim (here, a still dazzling Diana Rigg), and the eventual revelation of the murderer/murderers while all sit around and listen to Monsieur Poirot as he unspools the facts. But, also like "Death on the Nile", everything is done so lavishly and in so polished a fashion that the repetitive formula is more of a comfort than a liability. In the end, "Evil Under the Sun" is a lot of fun, and clever, too. And all the Cole Porter music doesn't hurt, either.
Anchor Bay's DVD offers a crisp, bright image, nicely enhanced for 16x19 televisions, and a few modest extras. If you enjoy the mystery film genre, you can't go wrong with this.
Movie Review: Entertaining Christie/Ustinov Whodunit
Summary: 4 Stars
This EVIL UNDER THE SUN may lack the sumptuous, big-budget feel of Peter Ustinov's previous "Hercule Poirot" movie, DEATH ON THE NILE, but it does feature a tautly written screenplay (again by playwright Anthony Shaffer) and dazzling location views of the Spanish coast. Ustinov is once again urbane and witty as Agatha Christie's Belgian sleuth; he shines in his climactic "explanation scene." The score, made up of thrillingly arranged Cole Porter melodies, suits the setting and story-line well. The supporting cast includes Diana Rigg, Maggie Smith, James Mason, Denis Quiley, Nicholas Clay, Jane Birkin, and the excellent Roddy McDowall. I give EVIL UNDER THE SUN a rating of four stars, with a star deducted for occasional campy overacting by Rigg and Sylvia Miles as a New York theatre producer married to Mason's character.
Movie Review: Hooray for Poirot
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a visually-stunning film from beginning to end. The Majorca location is breathtaking. Add to that the superb cast, and you have a dynamite experience. Ustinov is his usual dry, witty self. The supporting cast is great including Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, James Mason, and Roddy MacDowell. This is adult humour, but not the vulgar kind. It's a class act all the way. Great story, great costumes, and people that can really act their socks off! I watch it again and again.