Evil Under the Sun (1982) Peter Ustinov, Diana Rigg, Jane Birkin
A stellar cast and snazzy production values dress up this visually dazzling version of the Agatha Christie whodunit, set in an idyllic seaside resort hotel location and punctuated by Cole Porter theme music.
Peter Ustinov reprises his role as the portly Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Murder on the Orient Express) in a comical, curmudgeonly performance. Diana Rigg is sweetly venomous as the self-involved, jaded stage star and murder victim, who manages to give most everybody ample reason to want her dead. Supporting performances by such as James Mason as the desperate producer; Maggie Smith as the pretty, but aging ex-hoofer, ex-rich-man’s mistress-turned-hotel proprietor; and Roddy McDowall as the flighty gossip-columnist, all add wit and humor to the mix. I highly recommend this one for solid entertainment.
Though not available on Netflix at present, I further recommend Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile, also featuring Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot.
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