JimHaw
The first 45+ minutes have nothing to do with the book except for location and character names. It should be described as "Loosely based on the novel of the same name." In the books, there is hardly any connection between the characters. In this movie there are deep connections. I guess if you did not read the book first, it would be a good movie but my advice is to forgo this movie and read the book.
HotToastyRag
It's ironic that even though David Suchet is inarguably the best and most beloved Hercule Poirot, my favorite film adaptations aren't the ones he stars in. Evil Under the Sun, starring Peter Ustinov as the famous literary Belgium detective, is extremely entertaining. Not only is the story itself one of the most intriguing of Agatha Christie's mysteries, but the supporting cast makes it a cinematic delight. Maggie Smith, James Mason, Sylvia Miles, Diana Rigg, Roddy McDowall, Jane Birkin, Colin Blakely, Nicholas Clay, Denis Quilley, and Emily Hone are all staying at the beautiful hotel where a terrible crime might be committed. Peter predicts something bad will happen, since so much hatred is in the air, and there is evil everywhere under the sun, and when something does, he has to use his famous little gray cells to find the culprit.Evil Under the Sun is a very fun mystery to watch because of the beautiful, lush setting. The art deco furnishings of the hotel, combined with the adorable costumes and tropical island backdrop, make every scene a treat for the eye. Maggie Smith is particularly adorable, as is James Mason, playing a "yes, dear" husband to Sylvia Miles. For a mystery you'll never figure out, and for interesting suspects you'll love to hate, check out Evil Under the Sun.
sol-
When a woman turns up murdered on an isolated island resort, it is up to a vacationing Hercule Poirot to work out who did it when all present have iron-clad alibis in this Agatha Christie murder mystery adaptation. The film is notable as Peter Ustinov's second turn as Hercule Poirot following 'Death on the Nile' in 1978 and with a Cole Porter soundtrack used just as effectively as Nino Rota's score to the 1978 film and with equally good performances, 'Evil Under the Sun' is likely to go down well with most who enjoyed the 1978 film. That said, this follow-up has never enjoyed the same solid reputation as 'Death on the Nile' and it is easy to see why. The tension is not quite the same with a less claustrophobic setting and due to the fact that the murder does not occur until around halfway in. The way Poirot entraps the killer at the end does not quite ring true either. The solution to the mystery though is deliciously elaborate though and this entry benefits from one of Maggie Smith's most delightful performances. As the resort manager, Smith turns amateur sleuth to help Poirot out, citing that "both our reputations are at stake" and in a way, the film becomes just as much about her fascination with finding out which of her guests is guilty as it is about Poirot's fascination with the case. Couple that with her own animosity towards the murder victim, and it makes for a highly memorable turn. James Mason has a strong supporting part too as he scoffs at Poirot's detective work, very proud of the fact that he does not have an instant ready alibi.
elissa12-736-430073
Great film, escapist entertainment. While attempting to figure out who did it, I enjoyed the repartee (Have a sausage, dear!)between Daphne & Arlena. Arlena looks mah-velous! I do want to find a robe like Hercule Poirot's, that robe he wore to the beach - where can I find something like that? The cinematography is wonderful and I wondered where it was filmed - Balearic Islands, Mallorca - but the scenery looks more like the Tyrrhenian Sea or the Greek Islands. I wished I could go to this Mediterranean hotel and spend a blissful few days, traipsing around in my flowing dress or colorful bathing costume. I had no clue as to how the murder was committed or who did it - all the characters had a reason to wish Arlena dead, even her stepdaughter. I do think the final resolution was far-fetched and took so much planning - wishing someone dead is a lot less work than actually planning every minute of the morning to actually make it happen. Still, it was great entertainment worthy of a second or third viewing just to concentrate on the setting, scenery, and nostalgic period of the 20th century.
AD
