Death On The Nile (1978)

On a steamer cruise down the Nile, a pair of honeymooners (Lois Chiles, Simon MacCorkindale) are stalked by his ex-fiancee (Mia Farrow). When the bride is found shot to death, she is the likely suspect but only one of many. It seems almost everyone on the steamer has a motive. Based on the novel by Agatha Christie and directed by John Guillermin. A corker of a murder mystery and one of the 2 or 3 best adaptations from a Christie novel. While perhaps it lacks the glamour and elegance of the all star 1974 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, it's much more involving and clever and the characters better written and cast. Peter Ustinov may not physically look like the Hercule Poirot of Christie's books but he embodies his character perfectly. The authentic Egyptian locations are handsomely shot by the great Jack Cardiff and Nino Rota provides the majestic score. The suspects include Bette Davis, David Niven, Maggie Smith, George Kennedy, Angela Lansbury (hilarious as a dipsomaniac), Olivia Hussey, Jon Finch, Jane Birkin and Jack Warden. With Harry Andrews and Sam Wanamaker.