“Evil under the Sun” is one of five sumptuous film adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels made in the 70s and 80s.
In “Death on the Nile” (1978), “Evil under the Sun” (1982) and “Appointment with Death” (1988), Peter Ustinov plays the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, while the character is player by Albert Finney in “Murder on the Orient Express” which dates from 1974. “The Mirror crack’d” (1980) features Miss Marple. In any case, each of these adaptations brings together a five-star cast and is deliciously retro.
I will not mention here the two adaptations produced by Kenneth Branagh “Murder on the Orient Express” (2017) and “Death on the Nile” (2022), oversaturated with computer-generated images and without much breath or soul.
Let’s return to “Evil under the Sun” directed by Guy Hamilton, which is based on the novel published by the queen of detective novels in 1941.
It features our indescribable detective (Peter Ustinov), on vacation in a small hotel as luxurious as it is confidential, run by the former film star Daphne Castle (Maggie Smith), located on a small Mediterranean island (it was a small island in Devon in the novel).
One of the vacationers, the archetypal actress bitch (to quote Diana Rigg who plays the part) Arlena Marshall, is soon found dead on a deserted beach on the island. Even though no suspect seems obvious to the Belgian detective, it quickly becomes clear that each of the hotel guests had a valid reason to kill the victim – but also that each of them has a very solid alibi.
The investigation begins.
The interpretation is perfect – as I said, the cast assembled for the occasion is wonderful and we can see Jane Birkin playing a shy young bride. Peter Ustivov will forever remain for me the only worthy Hercule Poirot, at once sarcastic but nice, detached but involved. Finally, Diana Rigg is simply despicable and… fabulous.
Zapa playsuit – Indira Paris headband – Vintage hat – Miu Miu sunglasses – Roger Vivier handcuff bracelet – Christian Louboutin shoes
August 23, 2024
