Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Death on the Nile 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman April 15, 2022

It's been a longstanding cliché for movies about superheroes to offer so-called "origin stories", and in that regard it may be salient to note that when Kenneth Branagh was on one of his press junkets promoting the release of his version of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, he overtly mentioned that he felt Hercule Poirot's mustache was a kind of "superpower". That may help to explain the kind of bizarre opening vignette in Branagh's new if arguably not considerably improved version of another venerable Christie tale featuring the hirsute (at least facially) Belgian detective, where a longish black and white sequence documents a World War I calamity involving Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) which results in some pretty significant facial deformities and which supposedly results in the now famous set of whiskers adorning Poirot's face. For those who consider themselves at least relatively astute fans of Agatha Christie and who have sometimes chafed at the changes kind of slathered on to the great Dame's mysteries for contemporary entertainment purposes, it may not especially surprise them to find out that this version of Death on the Nile also utilizes an "update" given to an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple, where that legendary sleuth was given a tragic love affair set in World War I, which this opening scene at least hints at (with a few more "clues" dropped along the way). The "origin story" for Poirot's mustache is just one of several additions and/or emendations that screenwriter Michael Green (who also adapted Murder on the Orient Express) has brought to the elegantly appointed and hopefully symmetrically presented table.

Much as Branagh's remake of Murder on the Orient Express couldn't help but call comparisons to the 1974 version , so, too, does this Death on the Nile have to contend with the at least relatively long shadow cast by the well remembered 1978 feature film which featured Peter Ustinov as Poirot, and an all star cast that included Bette Davis, Mia Farrow and Jane Birkin. Branagh's film may not have quite the same star power, and in fact one of its casting decisions seems to fly in the face of so-called "cancel culture", with an appearance by the now largely missing in action Armie Hammer, appearing here as Simon Doyle, the center of an unwanted quasi-ménage à trois whose two other "wheels" are Doyle's new bride Linnet (Gal Gadot) and Doyle's former girlfriend Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey), who has been more or less stalking the "happy couple" since their betrothal.

Now, for those acquainted either with Christie's source novel or its two previous adaptations (aside from the feature film, there was a well done episode of the long running David Suchet series which is available on Blu-ray as part of Poirot: Series 9), the broad outlines of the original plot are followed at least decently here. But as with so many adaptations of Christie over the past several years in particular, a number of arguably pointless changes have been made, with various characters either missing or replaced with others. Notably in that regard Bouc (Tom Bateman) is back from Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express, this time with his imperious mother Euphemia (Annette Bening) in tow.

Probably the cheekiest casting in this version is the addition of the redoubtable French and Saunders as two of the "usual suspects" that Poirot has to contend with once the bodies start stacking up on a cruise down the Nile. Jennifer Saunders has a field day as Marie Van Schuyler, Linnet's godmother and a once wealthy woman now devoted to the allure of Communism. Dawn French is on hand as Van Schuyler's put upon maid (the "working class" that Van Schuyler claims to support) Mrs. Bowers, and as has so often been the case with these updates of Christie's tales, there's an intimate relationship between the two women.

Another actor with significant comedy chops, Russell Brand, appears in this version as Linus Windlesham, a physician with a history with Linnet. Branagh stages much of the film with considerable style, and the production design is suitably luxe (Luxor?) and opulent, but this version just doesn't have the same élan as the John Guillermin film or frankly the made for television effort with David Suchet. The problem with these by now iconic Christie mysteries is that they've become almost Scriptural in essence, both in the sense that people venerate them and have them more or less memorized, but also with regard that any Johnny Come Lately "redactors" may simply not be able to toe the fine line between offering something "new" with at least a surprise or two and staying faithful to the source.

Death on the Nile 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.

Death on the Nile is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista and 20th Century Studios with a 2160p transfer in 2.39:1. Shot on good old fashioned (Kodak) film and finished at 4K, this is a really ravishing looking presentation for the most part, though while it appears (at least according to the IMDb) that there were location shoots (maybe second unit?) offering actual Egyptian sites, a lot of the background material in several scenes has a noticeably soft, almost effulgent, "green screen" appearance which I found to look even more artificial in the 4K UHD version than the 1080 version (and it wasn't especially "realistic" looking in the 1080 version, just to be clear). That's one perceived deficit here, but for the most part, the rest of the presentation is aces from both detail levels and especially a really gorgeously suffused palette. Fine detail is definitely improved, albeit subtly at times, across a range of things like the patterns and textures on costumes, as well as more "mundane" items like facial features. HDR adds some interesting highlights in a number of scenes, notably some of the yellow tinged scenes of the Nile and the outdoor material in particular, and I'd even add the stark, almost high contrast, black and white footage at the beginning of the film.

Death on the Nile 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 4K UHD version of Death on the Nile adds a Dolby Atmos track to the mix (no pun intended), as opposed to the 1080 version's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, but I have to say aside from a few noticeable instances, I didn't really hear a ton of difference between the two. One of the noticeable moments, though, occurs at the outset of the film, before imagery ever really even has begun, where the Atmos track is clearly more vertical in terms of some of the overhead wafting of what I'm assuming are supposed to be the distant sounds of battle. Later, the huge set piece featuring a bit of tumbling rock also has good overhead activity. Otherwise, this track provides the same excellent immersion that the "standard" 7.1 track does, with appealing bursts of LFE, and excellent use of the side and rear channels for a glut of ambient environmental effects, especially in the many outdoor scenes. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout, and optional subtitles in several languages are available.

Death on the Nile 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The 4K UHD disc has no supplemental content, and the score above reflects that fact. The supplements listed in our Death on the Nile Blu-ray review are of course included on the 1080 disc that is also part of this package. Additionally, a digital copy is included and packaging features a slipcover.

Death on the Nile 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you have neither read the original Agatha Christie novel nor seen either (or both) of the previous adaptations, chances are you'll find a great deal to enjoy here. Unfortunately, my hunch is those who have read the source novel and/or seen the prior versions, the specter of "should have" or even "why?" may crop up on occasion. The casting has a lot to recommend it, and while some changes have definitely been made, Green and Branagh had the good sense to hew to at least the broadest outlines of Christie's memorable tale. Technical merits are secure, with the 4K presentation enjoying upticks in both video and audio quality from already impressive levels on the 1080 version, for those who may be considering making a purchase.