Writer Agatha Christie lived to the age of 86 and in 1920 wrote her first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles featuring the character Hercule Poirot. The character developed in a number of murder mysteries with her most notable being 1934’s Murder on the Orient Express. She was very popular turning out many mystery novels and in 1937 published “Death on the Nile”. While both books were previously made into film in 1974 and 1978 respectively, the remake of Murder on the Orient Express bowed to movie audiences on 2017 garnering over $350 million worldwide. I’m pretty sure that this was the impetus to remake Death on the Nile with Kenneth Branagh reprising his role as Hercule Poirot.
This mystery takes you to North Africa 1930’s where we find a gathering of the rich and famous in Egypt. Included in the group are honeymooners Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) and her husband Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer) an aristocrat. Among the others on board are famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) and Linnet’s godmother Marie Van Schuyler (Jennifer Saunders) who brought along her nurse and companion Mrs. Bowers (Dawn French). Another notable is Rosalie Otterbourne (Letitia Wright), a music business manager as well as Linnet’s old classmate, Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), a jazz singer. Included is Rosalie’s aunt Katchadourian (Ali Fazal), Linnet’s cousin and head lawyer for her wealth.
I won’t bore you with details on the other 4 guests and crew, but, so you know, that the boat does have many prospects in the mystery for what will happen and to whom. Director Kenneth Branagh keeps the film going with a lively touch, especially all the chatter and some back biting details that form the mystery. The cruise boat on which the event takes place is magnificent and actually plays a part in the film beyond being the setting.
The sights are a plus of the Egyptian desert panorama that includes the famous pyramids of Giza. With this awesome backdrop what more can you ask for? As far as mysteries go this one stands up pretty well, unless you know the killer in advance or you may not really believe some of the twists that have just caught you by surprise. So it’s best not to chat on line with someone who saw the film back in February or read too many reviews that have spoilers.
The acting in the film does make this remake a bit above the 2017 Murder on the Orient Express. Kenneth Branagh makes a good Poirot and Gal Gadot is her vivacious self and that’s a plus. The ensemble cast creates a lot of excitement, drama and many sinister moments.
Now on Digital Death on the Nile has been rated PG-13 for violence, some bloody images, and sexual material. It is now available on Digital HD.
Additional Film Information
Cast: Tom Bateman, Kenneth Branagh, Russell Brand, Emma Mackey, Armie Hammer. Annette Bening, Letitia Wright, Ann Turkel, Jennifer Saunders, and Gal Gadot.
Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime, Drama, and Mystery.
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for violence, some bloody images, and sexual material.
Running Time: 2 hours and 7 minutes
Release Date: February 11, 2022
Distributed By: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
Release In: Digital HD
THE FOLLOWING TRAILER OF THE FILM WAS MADE FOR THE ORIGINAL RELEASE
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
