Evil Under the Sun
starring: Peter Ustinov, Jane Birkin, Colin Blakely, Nicholas Clay, James Mason
directed by: Guy Hamilton
directed by: Guy Hamilton
Price: $21.99
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Mostly for Poirot completists and admirers of then-trendy, all-star ensemble casts from the 1970s and early '80s, Evil Under the Sun finds Peter Ustinov in his second outing as Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective (three years after 1978's Death on the Nile). As the title promises, the action this time takes place on an Adriatic island (though Christie fans will surely balk at the switch from the novel's setting on the English coast), where a famous stage star (Diana Rigg) is murdered, and the list of likely suspects is unusually high. The parade of legendary performers--Roddy McDowall, James Mason, Sylvia Miles, Maggie Smith, Jane Birkin--plus Ustinov's energetic performance keep things hopping. But Anthony Shaffer's lazy screenplay and director Guy Hamilton's superficial approach nudge everything (action, characters, tone) toward campy, near-parody, with bitchy sniping, tacky costumes, and an obligatory soundtrack of Cole Porter tunes. It's only in the last lap that the film transcends such obviousness and finds its way back to the glories of detective fiction.--Tom Keogh
Mostly for Poirot completists and admirers of then-trendy, all-star ensemble casts from the 1970s and early '80s, Evil Under the Sun finds Peter Ustinov in his second outing as Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective (three years after 1978's Death on the Nile). As the title promises, the action this time takes place on an Adriatic island (though Christie fans will surely balk at the switch from the novel's setting on the English coast), where a famous stage star (Diana Rigg) is murdered, and the list of likely suspects is unusually high. The parade of legendary performers--Roddy McDowall, James Mason, Sylvia Miles, Maggie Smith, Jane Birkin--plus Ustinov's energetic performance keep things hopping. But Anthony Shaffer's lazy screenplay and director Guy Hamilton's superficial approach nudge everything (action, characters, tone) toward campy, near-parody, with bitchy sniping, tacky costumes, and an obligatory soundtrack of Cole Porter tunes. It's only in the last lap that the film transcends such obviousness and finds its way back to the glories of detective fiction.--Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Great fun, in every respect
Sure Evil Under The Sun strays rather far from the Agatha Christie novel that inspired it and yes there is plenty of catty dialogue and exchanges between some of the characters, but when all is said and done this is one fun and ultimately satisfying movie that manages to entertain from the moment those watercolors paintings of an exotic island pop on the screen accompanied by a lush arrangement of Cole Porter tunes.No doubt a few will object to murder being given so flippant a treatment but if ... Read More
Rating: - IN A WORD - FABULOUS!
A first rate cast, great script based on Agatha Christie novel, Cole Porter music - what more could anyone want.Visually stunning - it plays like a watercolor come to life.Vastly entertaining.
Rating: - Delicious Evil
If you are a mystery buff, if you like Agatha Christie, Peter Ustinov, or Maggie Smith; if you like Dianna Rigg or Roddy McDowell; any of the above is an excellent reason to buy this DVD.Even if you are a Cole Porter fan.This is a fun, fashionable, tongue in cheek version of Christie's Hercule Poirot at its best.It plays with the viewer. Look for the name, Cole Porter, in the guestbook of the resort known as Daphne's Island.The beauty of the Mediterranean almost overwhelms the story.The ... Read More
Rating: - Probably the Best
Probably the best of all the Hercule Poirot screen adaptations, and that's saying something because Suchet is really, really good.
I don't know what's wrong with the "official" reviewer.There is nothing "lazy" about this screenplay.The electric verbal sparring between Daphne Castle (Maggie Smith) and Arlena Marshall (Diana Rigg) can attest to that, as can the venomous wit of the Gardners towards the outlandish Rex, and the cutting and feisty attitude of Linda Marshal, who manages ... Read More
Rating: - Excellent movie
Peter Ustinov put on a great performance as Hercule Poirot. Maggie Smith also had a stellar performance. I would recommend this to anyone.
Bob
East Wenatchee, WA
- Great fun, in every respectSure Evil Under The Sun strays rather far from the Agatha Christie novel that inspired it and yes there is plenty of catty dialogue and exchanges between some of the characters, but when all is said and done this is one fun and ultimately satisfying movie that manages to entertain from the moment those watercolors paintings of an exotic island pop on the screen accompanied by a lush arrangement of Cole Porter tunes.No doubt a few will object to murder being given so flippant a treatment but if ... Read More
- IN A WORD - FABULOUS!A first rate cast, great script based on Agatha Christie novel, Cole Porter music - what more could anyone want.Visually stunning - it plays like a watercolor come to life.Vastly entertaining.
- Delicious Evil If you are a mystery buff, if you like Agatha Christie, Peter Ustinov, or Maggie Smith; if you like Dianna Rigg or Roddy McDowell; any of the above is an excellent reason to buy this DVD.Even if you are a Cole Porter fan.This is a fun, fashionable, tongue in cheek version of Christie's Hercule Poirot at its best.It plays with the viewer. Look for the name, Cole Porter, in the guestbook of the resort known as Daphne's Island.The beauty of the Mediterranean almost overwhelms the story.The ... Read More
- Probably the BestProbably the best of all the Hercule Poirot screen adaptations, and that's saying something because Suchet is really, really good.
I don't know what's wrong with the "official" reviewer.There is nothing "lazy" about this screenplay.The electric verbal sparring between Daphne Castle (Maggie Smith) and Arlena Marshall (Diana Rigg) can attest to that, as can the venomous wit of the Gardners towards the outlandish Rex, and the cutting and feisty attitude of Linda Marshal, who manages ... Read More
- Excellent moviePeter Ustinov put on a great performance as Hercule Poirot. Maggie Smith also had a stellar performance. I would recommend this to anyone.
Bob
East Wenatchee, WA
