EVIL UNDER THE SUN

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This 1982 film is the second outing for Peter Ustinov as Agatha Christie's famous detective, Hercule Poirot, following 'Death On The Nile' in 1978.

Although the original 1941 novel is not one of Christie's most celebrated, Poirot is presented with a satisfyingly perplexing problem in that all the possible murderers seem to have a watertight alibi.  Screenwriter Anthony Shaffer (who also adapted 'Death On The Nile') has the good sense not to tinker with Christie's clever solution whilst making a lot of changes around the edges in order to both streamline the novel and to enhance its commercial appeal, for example moving the location from a hotel in Devon to a hotel on a small Mediterranenan island.

Shaffer also adds a lot of humour which I am sure is not in the original novel.  Ustinov's portrayal of Poirot is of course very droll, but in addition we get the comedic pleasure of Maggie Smith as the owner of the hotel.

James Mason is probably the biggest name in the cast so it's a shame that his character doesn't get to do much.  In fact one of the weaknesses of the film is that all the characters feel rather thin so that anyone looking for psychological depth here is going to be disappointed.  

No, this film is best enjoyed as an entertaining puzzle, nothing more, nothing less.  At this it succeeds despite undistinguished direction from Guy Hamilton and some rather clunky use of Cole Porter's sublime music on the soundtrack. 

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