Death On the Nile will soon become the latest Agatha Christie adaptation to hit the screen. It is the second Branagh-directed movie based on a Christie novel, following in the footsteps of 2017's Murder on the Orient Express. Death on the Nile is one of Christie's most acclaimed stories, and with a talented ensemble cast signed up, expectations are high for the movie's February release.
Over the years, there have been many efforts to bring Christie's work to life, and it is fair to say that some have proved more successful than others. For those looking forward to Death on the Nile, there are a number of other Christie adaptations that can help whet the appetite for the film.
And Then There Were None (1945)
There have been many versions of Christie's biggest selling novel, but none have been as well-received as the 1945 adaptation. The premise is simple - a mysterious benefactor summons ten strangers to a mansion on a deserted island, then one-by-one they are murdered by an unknown assailant within their group. Unlike other versions of the story, this adheres very closely to the source material. Throw in some award-winning cinematography plus atmospheric direction and you have got a classic murder mystery in which, much like Death On The Nile, everyone is a suspect. It really is a must-watch for any Christie fan.
The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd (2000)
The controversial and groundbreaking twist at the end of The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd divided readers of the novel. Nevertheless, along with Death On The Nile, it is regarded as one of Christie's greatest works and in 2013 the British Crime Writers' Association voted it the best crime novel of all time.
This ITV adaptation of the story cleverly manages to keep the integrity of the twist, whilst David Suchet gives his usual high-class performance as Hercules Poirot. For those who like mysteries to have shocking endings, this is a perfect adaptation.
Crooked House (2017)
Another hugely controversial Christie story with a shocking ending. The 2017 film version of Crooked House received a relatively low-key release but is a very solid retelling of the story. It features Max Irons as a private detective asked to investigate the suspicious death of a wealthy tycoon. What follows is a classic Christie country house mystery featuring Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close plus a host of other familiar names. It's a great-looking movie and the final twist really delivers the intended shock. It's a solution that will stump even the most accomplished armchair detectives.
Evil Under The Sun (1982)
Apart from Death On The Nile, Evil Under the Sun is probably the most quintessential Christie story. It features a seemingly impossible murder on a secluded island, a group of suspects who all have a motive for the crime, and the redoubtable Hercules Poirot on the trail of the culprit.
With Peter Ustinov playing the Belgian sleuth, plus an ensemble cast features Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, and James Mason. This is one of the most stylish versions of Christie's work and the mystery at its core is one of her very best.
Murder On The Orient Express (1974)
While Death On The Nile is famous throughout the world, Murder On The Orient Express is undoubtedly Poirot's most famous adventure. It has been adapted for the big screen on many occasions, but the 1974 version featuring Albert Finney as the detective is probably the most famous. Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, and Ingrid Bergmann, all help to add some glamour to the famous story of an American businessman stabbed to death onboard the eponymous train.
The tale is told from Poirot's viewpoint, which creates an immersive story in which the viewer can see the same clues as Poirot - perfect for armchair detectives. The twist at the end is ingenious and, much like Death On The Nile, it provides a template for murder mystery writers.
The ABC Murders (1992)
David Suchet is on top form in this feature-length version of one of Christie's most intricate stories. A serial killer is targeting people with matching initials. There appears to be no motive and the only clue is a copy of an ABC train guide left by each victim. This is an unusual Poirot story with the story flipping between the detective and a suspect in the murders. To the credit of both the producers and Suchet, they manage to somehow turn this baffling tale into a compelling 90 minutes of television. The solution is clever, logical, and makes fans want to rewatch the whole thing from the very beginning.
Murder, She Said (1961)
Agatha Christie's characters have been adapted in a wide variety of ways, but Margret Rutherford's whimsical portrayal of Miss Marple is perhaps the most unusual of all. Instead of the gentle old lady of the books, Rutherford plays Marple as a comedy character who solves crime using a healthy dose of luck.
Murder, She Said is very loosely based on The 4:50 From Paddington and involves Miss Marple witnessing a murder on an adjacent train. Somehow, Rutherford makes it all knit together into a fun mystery with a very satisfying solution.
The Mirror Crack'd (1980)
Before she became Jessica Fletcher, Angela Lansbury starred as Miss Marple in this loose retelling of The Mirror Crack'd From Side To Side. Tony Curtis, Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, and Rock Hudson bring Hollywood star power to this story of rivaling actresses and murder. This is a classic Christie adventure where everybody is a suspect, and the solution is revealed in a very satisfying way. The glamourous production won't satisfy every Christie fans, but Lansbury is a fine Marple and there is a lot to like about this lavish movie.
Appointment With Death (1988)
Death On The Nile is not Poirot's only Egyptian mystery. Appointment With Death sees the sleuth tackle the baffling death of a family matriarch during an archaeological dig. The murder is a clever twist on the locked room mystery trope, not entirely dissimilar from one of the murders in Death On The Nile. Peter Ustinov is once again in the lead role and seems to be having a glorious time battling both a cunning murderer and some extremely hot weather.
Murder On The Orient Express (2017)
Kenneth Branagh's first Agatha Christie film is not without his critics, not least because of the director's performance as Hercules Poirot. But the movie is worth watching before Death On The Nile and there are likely to be some strong similarities. As with Death On The Nile, there is an ensemble task full of star names, a baffling murder in an unusual location, and a series of twists and turns that culminates in a thrilling solution.
