The stage curtains open ...
In the third of three, and final Peter Ustinov big screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, we find another all-star studded cast in a classic who-dun-it mystery. This time, we are exported to the holy land on vacation with Emily Boynton (Piper Laurie) and her family after the death of her husband.
To say that Emily Boynton was disagreeable and overbearing would be an understatement. Once a prison warden, Mrs. Boynton continues in her domineering ways in an effort to control her children by blackmailing her attorney (David Soul) into burning the most current last will & testament left by her late husband, which would have given them each $200,000. Instead, the money is left entirely with her to be split evenly among them upon her death. The children already knew of the latest will - suspecting their mother of foul play, making her even more hated than ever. When she is found dead while on their European vacation, it is once more up to the genius intellect of Hercule Poirot to solve the murder.
Although this was an enjoyable film with a good cast, it really didn't measure up to what we have come to expect out of an Agatha Christie adaptation over the years. Ustinov was back into full character, but really had very little to work with this time around. The final reveal wasn't nearly as dramatic as in films past, and the ending a bit shallow. Actually, to be fair, this had more of a made-for-tv feel to it.
Regardless, it isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours. I did enjoy it and may watch it again. It is recommend for die hard Christie fans, but to the general movie viewer, worth a watch.
In the third of three, and final Peter Ustinov big screen portrayal of Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, we find another all-star studded cast in a classic who-dun-it mystery. This time, we are exported to the holy land on vacation with Emily Boynton (Piper Laurie) and her family after the death of her husband.
To say that Emily Boynton was disagreeable and overbearing would be an understatement. Once a prison warden, Mrs. Boynton continues in her domineering ways in an effort to control her children by blackmailing her attorney (David Soul) into burning the most current last will & testament left by her late husband, which would have given them each $200,000. Instead, the money is left entirely with her to be split evenly among them upon her death. The children already knew of the latest will - suspecting their mother of foul play, making her even more hated than ever. When she is found dead while on their European vacation, it is once more up to the genius intellect of Hercule Poirot to solve the murder.
Although this was an enjoyable film with a good cast, it really didn't measure up to what we have come to expect out of an Agatha Christie adaptation over the years. Ustinov was back into full character, but really had very little to work with this time around. The final reveal wasn't nearly as dramatic as in films past, and the ending a bit shallow. Actually, to be fair, this had more of a made-for-tv feel to it.
Regardless, it isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours. I did enjoy it and may watch it again. It is recommend for die hard Christie fans, but to the general movie viewer, worth a watch.