Customer Reviews

Poirot - Evil Under the Sun

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After collapsing while eating at a posh restuarant, famed detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) is sent by his doctor to an island resort, where he is subjected to a painful program of diet and exercise. However, it will be his "little grey cells" that get the exercising when a beautiful actress is found strangled on the beach. EVIL UNDER THE SUN is another film from the top-notch POIROT series from A&E, with David Suchet once again bringing his definitive portrayal of the Belgian sleuth to life. Hugh Fraser provides solid back-up as the rather dense Capt. Hastings, while Philip Jackson is his droll self as Inspector Japp. As is usual with this series, the locations are wonderful and the 30's atmosphere is wonderfully invoked. This version is not to be confused with the somewhat campy film starring Peter Ustinov. While that one is fun in its own way, it pales in comparison to the Suchet version. As always, this flick is another delightful treat for fans of Agatha Christie's classic detective and one I highly recommend.

I have just watched this new DVD (don't ask me how I got it before the release date, because I'm not sure), and am thrilled to report that it lives up to the name of Poirot.

If you are familiar with the series, you will find similarities between this plot and that of "Triangle at Rhodes," but with more players and a different outcome. Perhaps the best feature of this movie is that all four of the major characters take part - which is unusual for the movie-length episodes.

When Poirot and Hastings retire to an island resort for some rest and relaxation (not to mention diet and exercise), imagine our surprise when a guest turns up murdered on the beach. As usual, every person has a motive and every person looks guilty, and although the one major red herring is fairly easy to figure out (or maybe I've just watched too many of these), the plot and the outcome are both confounding and satisfying.

There is wonderful subtle humor, a beautiful setting, and excellent acting across the board - all as we've come to expect from this fine series. I hope this is not the last.

This certainly is not the Peter Ustinov version. Maybe it's just me, but I hated that adaptation. However, this adaptation is great. It is geared more towards your typical mystery fan that likes a complex puzzle to solve, so some may find it boring, but it is a great mystery.

Poirot is invited to eat at Captain Hasting's new Argentinian restaurant, El Ranchero, on its opening night. While there, Poirot collapses. After medical examination, he is declared as "medically obese." (A great scene is where Poirot demands "at once" a second opinion). He is soon sent to the Sandy Cove hotel, where he is put on a strict diet and exercise regime. Humiliating for him, since Hastings and many of the other guests are enjoying themselves and eating regular cuisine.

However, there is more to this Hotel than meets the eye. Poirot senses a great presence of evil. After unsuccessfully trying to prevent a murder, he tries to sort out all the evil in the Hotel and bring the villain to justice...

The actors are not an all-star cast as with the Ustinov version, but they are all done superbly well. I remember reading the book and getting an idea of what the characters should look and act like. When I saw the movie, I was not disappointed.

The humor is more subtle, but it is still hilarious. However, one should note that while the Ustinov version was more a comedy, the "evil under the sun" is easily felt throughout the movie. It is dark, but there is a sufficient balance of darkness and humor (and the film does end on a lighthearted note).

I was very impressed by this version, overall. The true Poirot fan will not be disappointed.

Whew.......I was beginning to wonder if we'd end up living in a world without any more of Suchet's Poirot!! As much reverence and respect as I have for all the older big screen Poirots, I must say that I just simply adore Suchet's characterization of him. When I read the books, Suchet is whom I picture.
Well, you know the plot already.........watching this almost seems like a completely different story than the earlier Ustinov film...............but I love it all the same! It's truer to the book, more serious, and sure to entertain even the hardest-to-please Poirot fans!

Honestly I haven't found a Poirot movie with David Suchet in it that I don't just love. This is one of the longer movies and I very much enjoyed it.

This is a great episode that casts you under its spell from the get-go. Contrary to what has been said by some earlier reviewers, the Suchet "Poirot" series really catches the character as it exists in the book. I recommend reading the original Poirot novels by Christie, you'll double your pleasure.

A superb supporting cast, rich visual textures and a real whodunnit. Bravo!

Another terrific Suchet POIROT. Great acting, direction, costumes, locaton. We are very lucky to have these fantastic Suchet POIROTs to add to the Agatha Christie film collection for fans in the years to come.

Everyone has their favorites, whether it be Rutherford or Hickson's MARPLE, Finney or Ustinov's POIROT or the clever TUPPENCE AND TOMMY from the BBC.
Enjoy them all!

The beautiful scenery and movie sets in this story would make Dame Agatha Christie herself proud, I believe. Along with an all-star cast, the plot in this mystery holds the viewer's attention...

I'm a Poirot fan and have a rather large collection of the Suchet DVDs. On discovering that I lacked "Evil Under The Sun," I decided to try it. To my astonishment, this is the worst Poirot I've ever seen; indeed, it's almost a parody of the superficiality inherent in the entire series. You'll roar at the overacting (check out the wicked clergyman and the murder victim) and howl at the absurdity of the plot. You'll gag as the masks are ripped away at the conclusion, revealing entirely different people, including the villains. And you'll guffaw at how on earth Poirot could possibly have known all of that.

No one does well here. Hastings is overweight and enters a room almost like Stan Laurel. Miss Lemon seems to have become less of an actress over time. Suchet is okay, despite the padding that makes him look overweight. Humor? There is none. Violence, ditto. Script? A first class dud. My two stars are for the photography, which is exceptional. It's too bad that hammy actors had to ruin what would have been a nice travelogue.

Arrived on time. No damage. Gave as a gift and recipient just loves them.