Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Death on the Nile 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 something "new" with at least a surprise or two and staying faithful to the source.

Death on the Nile Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Death on the Nile is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Disney / Buena Vista and 20th Century Studios with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. Shot on (Kodak) film and finished at 4K, this follows in the estimable high definition footsteps of Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express by offering a really sumptuous viewing experience. About the only niggling qualm some may have is with some perceived artificiality with regard to some backgrounds, which definitely have a soft green screened appearance at times, this despite the fact that there evidently was at least some location shooting in Egypt. Otherwise, though, things are sharp as a tack and fine detail throughout the presentation adds considerable textural luster to things like the opulent costumes and props. Even roughhewn textures like the stones of the pyramids or other Egyptian statuary is virtually palpable at times. The opening black and white sequence also offers secure detail and appealing (near high) contrast. The color section (by far the bulk of the film) is almost resplendently suffused, especially in some of the sun dappled outdoor material. I noticed no compression anomalies whatsoever and the entire presentation has a nicely organic appearance.

Death on the Nile Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Death on the Nile features a nicely wrought DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 which "announces" its immersive capabilities from the get go, with both intermittent but rumbly LFE and some nicely placed ambient environmental effects as the trenches of World War I battle are displayed. Surround channels are regularly engaged in sequences featuring blues singer Salome Otterbourne, one of the "new" characters in this version, and virtually all of the river set material has clear spatial delineation of effects. As those who know the source novel or previous adaptations know, there's one calamity in particular that allows the soundstage to fill with an immense clamor, which is quite effective, and a couple of gunshots also resonate decently. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Subtitles in several languages are available.

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

• Death on the Novel: Novel to Film (HD; 15:30) addresses the adaptive process and includes lots of snippets from the film as well as some interstitial interviews with the likes of Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green.


• Agatha Christie: Travel Can Be Murder (HD; 5:53) may be the "Christie equivalent" of "just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water" in terms of how various roamings can be dangerous. This includes an interesting interview with Dr. John Curran, who curates Christie's notebooks.


• Design on the Nile (HD; 11:01) focuses on one of this version's undeniable assets, its style.


• Branagh / Poirot (HD; 5:36) features producer Judy Hofflund and Gal Gadot extolling the virtues of Branagh as both director and actor.


• Deleted Scenes (HD; 10:45)


• Official Trailer (HD; 2:08) may beg the question: is there an unofficial trailer?

Death on the Nile 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, and the supplements very enjoyable, for those who may be considering making a purchase.