DEATH ON THE NILE
UK, 2004, 97 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, James Fox, Emma Malin, JJ Feild, Emily Blunt, Judy Parfitt, Daisy Donovan, Barbara Flynn, Daniel Lapaine, David Soul, Frances de la Tour, Zoe Telford, Alistair MacKenzie?, Steve Pemberton.
Directed by Andy Wilson,
Death on the Nile is one of Agatha Christie’s most popular novels. This was enhanced by the lavish production of 1978 and its star-studied cast and Egyptian locations.
This film is part of the series of 70 films of Agatha Christie stories featuring David Suchet as Poirot. In most people’s imagination, Poirot is David Suchet. This film boasts Egyptian locations, a recreation of the 1930s style, the cruise on the Nile.
There is a wide range of characters, also a range of interesting performances. And a strong performance in an early role by Emily Blunt, the murder victim, an arrogant target. The plot, as always, is ingenious (although it resembles strongly the murder and solution in Evil under the Sun).
1. The popularity of the novel? Of Agatha Christie’s mysteries? Of the David Suchet series?
2. The lavish 1978 version? Comparisons?
3. The locations, Egypt, the Nile, the ancient monuments? The lavish style on the cruise? Costumes and decor, period? The musical score?
4. The introduction to Jacqueline and Simon? Love, the financial situation? The introduction to Linnet, her wealth, her arrogance? Simon’s introduction?
5. Egypt, the breaking of the engagement, Simon and Linnet? Jacqueline ever present and pursuing them? Her dramatics, explanation to Poirot?
6. The variety of personalities on the cruise, Rosalie Otterbourne, her novels, dramatic attitude, dancing with one, flirting? Her daughter and severe presence? Miss Van Schuyler, her snobbery, Cornelia as her companion, timid? Mrs Allerton, her son and his devotion to her? Ferguson, his communist sympathies from the University, his harsh comments? Mr Pennington, American, business interests? The interactions, comic, serious?
7. The accident and Linnet almost killed? Later proven to be an accident? Mr Pennington and the golf club?
8. Simon, Jacqueline and her dramatics, shooting his leg, the doctor attending, confined to bed? The revelation that Linnet was dead? The blood on the wall? The gunshot and the missing shawl? The bundle thrown into the water – and recovered?
9. The mystery, the death of the maid? Miss Otterbourne being shot?
10. The issue of the stolen pearls, the substitution, Allerton and his being unmasked?
11. Everyone gathered, the explanation of what it happened, the flashbacks, the expert planning of Simon and Jacqueline? Simon carried out, Jacqueline and the kiss and shooting him, her being shot?
12. Cornelia, her role in the alibi minding Jacqueline? Ferguson and his attentions, proposal? Miss Van Schuyler changing attitude when he was a lord? But Cornelia marrying the doctor?
13. Poirot, his style, the arrival of Colonel Race, his participation in the investigation?
