site search by freefind
MotorBar
The Agatha Christie Collection
“The Queen of Murder Mysteries,
  best-selling novelist Agatha Christie
  (1890-1976), was a prolific writer
  who penned a number of exciting
  books that became films, including
  the notable Murder On The Orient
  Express, Death On The Nile, The
  Mirror Crack’d and Evil Under
  The Sun, shot during the 1970s
  and 1980s and now available in an
  all-new restoration as 4K UHD and
  Blu-ray 4-disc Box Sets...”
FOUR FILMS FROM AGATHA CHRISTIE'S best- selling murder mystery books have been given an all-new restoration as 4K UHD and Blu-ray Box Sets. Murder On The Orient Express (1974), Death On The Nile (1978), The Mirror Crack'd (1980) and Evil Under The Sun (1982) feature all-star casts that include Hollywood acting royalty such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and Tony Curtis.

These classic films are compelling, with stunning locations and inspired Hollywood acting talent; beautifully filmed, intriguing and, despite more modern remakes, they have not lost their allure. In common with other movies of the era, they are easy watching and simplistic in concept while retaining an ability to hook armchair detectives.

“Four exciting classic
film adaptations from the
books of Queen of Crime
Agatha Christie, shot
during the 1970s and
1980s — compelling,
with stunning locations
and inspired Hollywood
acting talent; beautifully
filmed, intriguing and,
despite more modern
remakes, they have not
lost their allure...”
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

SIDNEY LUMET'S Murder On The Orient Express stars Albert Finney as the famous detective Hercule Poirot whom, as he tells everyone, is Belgian not French. An original, almost sinister character with strange mannerisms rather than the Poirot we recognise. However, while he was said to be a favourite of Agatha Christie he only portrayed Poirot for this first and only time.

The dependable detective Hercule Poirot boards the Orient Express on the European side of Istanbul, bound for London. At the departure point Poirot sees English Colonel Arbuthnott (Sean Connery) and Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave) kissing, thus establishing a connection between them.

Also boarding the train are Mrs Harriet Hubbard (Lauren Bacall), Princess Dragomiroff (the wonderful Wendy Hiller), Greta Olsen (Ingrid Bergman), Count and Countess Andrenyi (Michael York and Jacqueline Bisset), the bumptious wealthy American Mr Ratchett (Richard Widmark) with his assistant Beddoes (John Gielgud) and Mr McQueen (Anthony Perkins).

Ratchett has received death threats and Poirot turns down the American's offer of £50,000 to act as his bodyguard. Very soon Ratchett's body is discovered with a dozen stab wounds.

In a train full of suspects and a mysterious link to the murder of baby Daisy, who was abducted from the Long Island, New York, home of her parents, Sonia and Colonel Hamish Armstrong, Poirot has his work cut out to solve the unexpectedly complicated case.

Murder On The Orient Express also features: Rachel Roberts as Hildegard; Martin Balsam as Bianchi; Jean Pierre Cassel as Pierre; George Coulouris as Dr Constantine; and Denis Quilley as Foscarelli.

Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. At the BAFTAS the film received ten nominations and a win for John Gielgud for Best Supporting Actor.

Music is Composed by Richard Rodney Bennett, Performed by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera, Covent Garden and Conducted by Marcus Dods; Director of Photography is Jack Cardiff; Screenplay by Paul Dehn; Produced by John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin; and Directed by Sidney Lumet.

Certificate: PG | Running Time: 106 Minutes | Year: 1974

Extras — Behind the Velvet Curtains: Jacqueline Bisset revisits The Orient Express (NEW) | Interview with Richard Goodwin | Audio Interview with Michael York | Audio Commentary with Howard S Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Agatha Christie: A Portrait | Making Of Murder On The Orient Express | The Ride | The Passengers: The End of the Line | Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery | Original Trailer.

DEATH ON THE NILE

STARRING PETER USTINOV as Hercule Poirot, who is on a luxury Nile Cruise when heiress Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles), the new wife of smooth talking Simon Doyle (Simon MacCorkindale) is almost killed by falling masonry and is later murdered.

Stalking them is Jacqueline de Bellefort (Mia Farrow), a former friend of Linnet who was engaged to Simon when she introduced them. The obvious suspect, she has already threatened them but has a cast-iron alibi. Strangely, and with no apparent connection, maid Louise Borget (Jane Birkin) and risqué author Salome Otterbourne (Angela Lansbury, hamming up wonderfully and splendidly over the top!) are also killed.

Poirot is faced with unravelling the mystery as he interviews passengers that include Linnet's scheming "uncle" Andrew Pennington (George Kennedy), Colonel Race (David Niven), Mrs Van Schuyler (the remarkable Bette Davis), Miss Bowers (Maggie Smith) and Salome's niece Rosalie Otterbourne (Olivia Hussey).

Filmed on location in Egypt, Death On The Nile also features: Harry Andrews as Barnstaple; Jack Warner as Dr Bessner; Sam Wanamaker as Rockford; Jon Finch as Mr Ferguson; and IS Jghar as the Manager of the cruise steamer, the Karnak.

Tango Choreography by Wayne Sleep; Music Composed by Nino Roth, Conducted by Marcus Dods; Director of Photography is Jack Cardiff; Screenplay is by Anthony Shaffer; Associate Producer is Norton Knatchbull; Producers are John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin; and Directed by John Guillermin.

Certificate: PG | Running time: 140 Minutes | © 1978 STUDIOCANAL FILMS LTD

Extras — Sparkling Homicide: A Video Essay by David Cairns (NEW) | Audio Commentary with Howard S Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Making Of Death On the Nile | Interview with Angela Lansbury | Interview with Costume Designer Anthony Powell | Interview with Producer Richard Goodwin | Interview with Peter Ustinov | Interview with Jane Birkin | Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery | Original Trailer.

Death On The Nile won an Oscar for Anthony Powell's costume design. It was Peter Ustinov's first portrayal of Poirot.

THE MIRROR CRACK'D

ARRIVING AT THE SLEEPY VILLAGE of St Mary Mead on location in The Mirror Crack'd, film director Jason Rudd (Rock Hudson) and his troubled actress wife Marina Gregg (Elizabeth Taylor) are making a movie about Queen Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots. They are also looking to purchase Gossington Hall from current owner Mrs Dolly Bantry (Margaret Courtenay).

St Mary Mead is the home of supersleuth Miss Jane Marple (Angela Lansbury) and when local resident Heather Babcock (Maureen Bennett), an ardent fan of Marina, is poisoned it appears her laced drink was intended to kill the actress.

With the arrival of Producer Martin N Fenn (Tony Curtis) and rival actress Lola Brewster (Kim Novak), who will play Mary, Marina becomes visibly rattled. Recovering from a nervous breakdown due to a personal tragedy, Marina is becoming unhinged.

Once Miss Marple's nephew, Inspector Dermot Craddock (Edward Fox), becomes involved he and his aunt unravel the mystery of the killer.

Filmed on location in Kent at the St Clere Estate in Heavenham and the villages of Smarden and Shoreham, The Mirror Crack'd also features: Geraldine Chaplin as Marina's secretary Ella Zielinsky; Wendy Morgan as Cherry Baker; and Charles Gray as Bates the Butler. Pierce Brosnan and Sam Kydd have uncredited roles. Dinah Sheridan and Hildegarde Neil appear in a 'film within a film' as Lady Amanda and Lady Foxcroft respectively.

Music Composer is John Cameron; Cinematographer is Christopher Challis; Screenplay by Jonathan Hales and Barry Sandler; Producers are John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin; and Directed by Guy Hamilton.

Certificate: PG | Running Time: 105 Minutes | © 1980 STUDIOCANAL Films Ltd

Extras — Reflections on Miss Marple: Featuring Jean Kwok, Rian Johnson, Matthew Sweet and Mark Aldridge | Audio Commentary by Film Historians Howard S Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Interview with Screenwriter Barry Sandler | Interview with Angela Lansbury | Interview with Producer Richard Goodwin | Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery | Storyboards Gallery.

EVIL UNDER THE SUN

OPENING WITH THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY of Alice Ruber on the Yorkshire Moors by a young woman out hiking, Evil Under The Sun sees Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) investigating murder and a jewellery scam.

Sir Horace Blatt (Colin Blakely) wanted to marry actress Arlena Marshall (Diana Rigg) and had given her a diamond. When the relationship ended, she returned it, but when he had it assessed for insurance purposes it proved to be fake.

Certain Arlena would not have known this he sends Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) to stay at a luxury island hotel overlooking the sea, owned by former dancer Daphne Castle (Maggie Smith), who knew Arlena when they were chorus girls.

Arlena and her new husband Kenneth Marshall (Denis Quilley) have booked in with Linda (Emily Hone), Kenneth's daughter by his first wife whom Arlena treats badly. Sir Horace will sail in his yacht to the island to meet Poirot.

Daphne is friendly with the witty writer and theatre critic Rex Brewster (Roddy McDowell), who has written a book about Arlena the actress refuses to endorse.

Theatre producers Odell Gardener (James Mason) and his wife Myra (Sylvia Miles) want Arlena for their new production; and Christine Redfern (Jane Birkin) and her husband Patrick (Nicolas Clay) seem to have a troubled marriage. Arlena flirts openly with Patrick. Christine appears to be weepy and timid, unable to tolerate the sun.

In an artfully planned murder, Arlena is strangled on a beach while sunbathing and waiting for Patrick to join her. But Poirot is able to deftly work out who and why, despite a series of clever ploys by the killer.

Filmed on location in Majorca, Evil Under The Sun also features: Richard Vernon as Flewitt; Barbara Hicks as Flewitt's Secretary; John Alderson as Police Sergeant; and Dimitri Andreas as Gino.

Costume Designer is Anthony Powell; Music is Composed by Cole Porter; Director of Photography is Christopher Challis; Writers are Anthony Shaffer and Barry Sandler; Producers are John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin; Associate Producer is Michael John Knatchbull; and Director is Guy Hamilton.

Certificate: PG | Running Time: 117 Minutes | © 1981 Titan Productions.

Extras — Back to the Island: Emily Hone Remembers Evil Under The Sun (NEW) | Excessive Creatures: A Video Essay by David Cairns (NEW) | Making Of Featurette | Audio Commentary with Howard S Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson | Interview with Costume Designer Anthony Powell | Interview with Screenwriter Barry Sandler | Interview with Producer Richard Goodwin | Behind The Scenes Stills Gallery | Costume Designs Gallery | Original Trailer | Radio Spots | The Royal Film Performance 1982: In the Gracious Presence of HM The Queen & HRH The Duke of Edinburgh At The Odeon, Leicester Square.

The Agatha Christie Collection — Four exciting classic film adaptations from the books of Queen of Crime Agatha Christie: "Compelling, with stunning locations and inspired Hollywood acting talent; beautifully filmed, intriguing and, despite more modern remakes, they have not lost their allure" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar

STUDIOCANAL HAS JUST RELEASED the above four exciting classic film adaptations from the books of Queen of Crime Agatha Christie: Murder On The Orient Express, Death On The Nile, The Mirror Crack'd and Evil Under The Sun, shot during the 1970s and 1980s in all-new restoration as 4K UHD or Blu-ray four-disc Box Sets, complete with a host of extra material and including a 64-page booklet plus 4 posters of brand new artwork designed by W$YK. Available to own from 24 November 2025 from STUDIOCANAL's Vintage Classics label.

The stunning list of Vintage Classics from STUDIOCANAL comprises well received dramas, thrillers, horror, war dramas, Ealing comedies and lesser-known titles. Some of the greatest and popular stars include Alec Guinness, Dirk Bogarde, Richard Attenborough, Margaret Leighton and Terence Stamp, along with underrated actors who deserve a higher profile.

Visit the VINTAGE CLASSICS website
.