‘EVIL UNDER THE SUN’: AGATHA CHRISTIE IN THE 80s
A drama from the 80s that I’d never seen, Evil Under the Sun is all about one of Agatha Christie’s more famous detectives.
Evil Under the Sun (1982) Film Review
Anyone meeting Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) as he travels to a small island hotel will assume he’s going on a vacation. The truth is, he’s been hired to find a thief and he’s really working during this beach side stay. It’s a stay that introduces him to the owner of the property Daphne Castle (Maggie Smith) and a stage actress (Diana Rigg) who has something of a rift with Daphne. There is also the newly married Redferns (Jane Birkin, Nicholas Clay) who seem to fight more than they love.
Then there is Kenneth Marshall (Denis Quilley) and Rex Brewster (Roddy McDowell), the people rounding out this group of people circling Poirot. When there’s a murder, his case becomes even more complicated as he puzzles through an unexpected case.
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‘EVIL UNDER THE SUN’: AGATHA CHRISTIE IN THE 80s. A 1982 #AgathaChristie adaptation with #MaggieSmith and a wide range of talent. #PeriodDrama Share on X
This is a British production from an era of filmmaking I’m not overly fond of. However, I will admit that I did enjoy Evil Under the Sun. It has an interesting mystery though it all moves slowly. What helps it be most interesting is the cast! It’s a splendid group of talent. I also saw this shortly before the sad passing of Maggie Smith and seeing her in this role (with red hair no less) is great fun. It is also a role quite unlike most I’ve seen her in which made it all the more fun. The rest of the names aren’t familiar, but they’re good.
If you like the more modern Kenneth Branaugh adaptations about Poirot, you may not enjoy these since they tend to be more modern. This said, I enjoy both so despite the decades of storytelling changes that separates them, there’s lots to enjoy about both.
In the end while not my favorite Agatha Christie production, I do enjoy Evil Under the Sun.
Stream, at publication, with BritBox
Photos: Alamy
Content: there isn’t much to note outside of the mentions of affairs and some minor sensuality. We see a body and the murder taking place (it’s not graphic). The film is PG-13.
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