Death on the Nile (1978) Agatha Christie, Poirot, Peter Ustinov, Mia Farrow, Bette Davis & Maggie Smith

Book Vs. Movie: Death on the Nile
The1937 Novel Vs. the 1978 Movie

For “Mysteries in May,” the Margos start with the queen of the genre, Agatha Christie, and her 1937 novel Death on the Nile, which was adapted into a film in 1978. It features her famous detective, Hercule Poirot, and is set aboard a luxurious Nile steamer. The plot revolves around the Belgian detective embroiled in a murder mystery while on a luxurious cruise down the Nile River. The story begins with a group of wealthy passengers embarking on a steamer called the Karnak for a leisurely cruise in Egypt. Among them are Linnet Ridgeway, a wealthy heiress who recently married Simon Doyle, her former friend Jacqueline de Bellefort, and several other intriguing characters.
As tensions simmer among the passengers, a murder occurs on board. Linnet Ridgeway is found shot dead in her cabin. Suspicion falls on Simon Doyle, as it is revealed that he was previously engaged to Jacqueline before breaking it off to marry Linnet. However, Simon claims innocence, and Hercule Poirot is called upon to investigate. Which did we (the Margos) prefer? Have a listen to find out.

In this ep, the Margos discuss:

• The life of author Agatha Christie. 
• The biggest differences between the book and the movie.
• The cast of the 1978  film includes Peter Ustinov (Hercule Poirot,) Lois Chiles (de Linnet,) Mia Farrow (Jacqueline del Bellefort,) Simon MacCorkindale (Simon Doyle,) David Niven (Colonel Race,) Bette Davis (Marie Van Schuyler,) Maggie Smith (Miss Bowers,) Angela Lansbury (Salome Otterbourne,) Olivia Hussey (Rosalie Otterbourne,) Jon Finch (James Ferguson,) Jack Warden (Dr. Ludwig Bessner,) Jane Birkin (Louise Bourget,) George Kennedy (Andrew Pennington,) and Sam Wanamaker as Rockford. 

• “Such a Briiliant Lack of Complication”
• Death on the Nile (1978 trailer)
• “Bette & Maggie” 
• “Bette & Maggie 2”
• Mia Farrow
• Poirot deduces
• Music by Nino Rota