Review for Poirot Box Set (3 Discs) (Blu-ray)

I remember watching and enjoying these films when they were originally released. Not yet old enough to see 18 rated stuff and with a paucity of great material (with one or two obvious exceptions) these fitted in to the weekly cinema routine rather nicely. In fact, I so enjoyed the idea of seeing them again that I bought the DVD set that had all four when that was released a few years ago. What? Four did I say? Yes – four. The three included here and another Ustinov outing, completing the set. So what happened here then? Why only three of the four? Why include the Albert Finney movie (Orient Express) but exclude the third Ustinov cinema outing (Appointment with Death). This fourth piece of the Poirot puzzle is included in the recent Spanish and Italian Blu-Ray collections, but not here! Why? Send for Poirot! Methinks there’s some foul licensing issues afoot here in the UK. In fact, an even better set from a completist point of view would have included the three made-for-TV Poirot movies featuring Ustinov in the role ((Dead Man's Folly / Murder in Three Acts / Thirteen at Dinner) but that would be expecting a lot. So, putting that obvious and possibly unavoidable gripe to one side, let’s look at the facts. Three bare-bones Blu-Ray movies. Let’s assess them logically, one at a time.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974)


Agatha Christie’s original story was apparently based on the infamous Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and seen in that light, it’s conclusion (which I won’t reveal here) is entirely understandable.
The film is a mixed-bag. Made in 1974 it has some fine ingredients and some less impressive, all held together with the bizarrely surreal attempt at Poirot by Albert Finney. The opening shots of the train getting ready to depart on its long journey are magnificent, as are the various cutaways of the train enroute across dramatic landscapes, spilling swathes of steam and cutting a fine figure indeed. However, it’s soon apparent that this is nothing more than a studio-bound closed room drama with the train merely providing an alternative to the usual country house.
When a snow-storm brings the train to a halt it transpires that a wealthy businessman (Richard Widmark) has been murdered, seemingly as the result of multiple stab wounds. As they are mid-borders and jurisdiction remains unclear the Orient Express Director (who is aboard the train) asks Poirot to investigate. What follows is pretty much a procedural as each of the many (celebrity) guests are questioned in turn.


Ingrid Bergman was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as a nervy religious fund-raiser, though others fare less well. Anthony Perkins does his regular nervy turn, Sean Connery looks pretty uncomfortable, Lauren Bacall hams it up for the back of the room, Jacqueline Bisset just looks gorgeous, John Gielgud camps it up as a butler (again), and Vanessa Redgrave does a fine job. Finney looks great though his stylised mannerisms are almost fit for pantomime and the Belgian accent really is risable. However, despite this mish-mash (or possibly because of it) it’s all fairly entertaining stuff and moves at a pleasant enough pace, coming in at a slightly overlong 127 minutes.

The transfer is disappointing with noticeable grain and a lack of rich clarity and contrast – by far the least impressive of the set. Audio is presented in LPCM 2.0 mono (48kHz/16-bit) and is fine. There are no extra features on the disc.

DEATH ON THE NILE (1978)


Next up is the visually stunning period piece, ‘Death on the Nile’. Looking better than the Christmas episode of Downton Abbey, the film deservedly won an Oscar for Anthony Powell’s costume design.

The film was Ustinov’s first as Poirot and turns in an campy but slightly more subtle performance than Finney, arguably being better suited to the role. He certainly has a far more convincing accent.

Again the film is an ensemble piece with a star-studded array of guests Lois Chiles, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, Olivia Hussey, George Kennedy, and Maggie Smith.


Again the story is on the move, this time aboard a luxurious cruise down the Nile with a host of seemingly wealthy travellers. An heiress with a reputation as a cheating wild-child, Linnet Ridgeway, is murdered (Lois Chiles). Most the suspects have strong motives and it falls upon Poirot to solve the crime.


The film itself is a visual feast and the transfer reflects that – a far better affair that the disappointing job on ‘Orient Expess’. Again it’s a little long at 140 minutes, though a delivered at a nice gentle pace that makes it ideal fare for a rainy Sunday afternoon.

EVIL UNDER THE SUN (1982)


The set concludes with another Ustinov outing, this time ably supported by Jane Birkin, James Mason, the wonderful Diana Rigg, Denis Quilley, Nicholas Clay, Roddy McDowall and Maggie Smith. Set on an exclusive resort, a stage star, Arlena Marshall (Diana Rigg) is discovered dead by her lover.

As Poirot investigates it becomes clear that just about everyone involved had good cause as everyone seems to have had a reason to hate her. It all gets mightily confusing and the end (I won’t spoil it here) comes as no real surprise as all seem equally able to have committed the crime.


The locations make the film a bit of a treat on the eyes and the transfer is probably the best of the three films, despite occasional signs of wear and tear.


Whilst the set is disappointing in that it excludes one of the three Ustinov films, contains no extra features at all, and contains at least one disappointing transfer (Orient Express) the films themselves are wildly entertaining and chock full of celebrities. If you’re OK with the slight disappointments, then the set is reasonably priced and offers several hours of entertainment.