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List Price: $19.95 | | Label: A&E Home Video
Salesrank: 57372
Released: August 27, 2002 |
| Our Price: $5.89 |
| Used Price: $3.98 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Based on the agatha christie novel. Studio: A&e Home Video Release Date: 12/31/2002 Starring: David Suchet Michael Higgs Run time: 100 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Brian Farnham
Description of Poirot - Evil Under the Sun:
Murder at a health resort makes for a very special kind of fun in the sun in this classic Agatha Christie mystery. Evil Under the Sun finds Hercule Poirot (David Suchet) and the ever-ready Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser) at an island resort for the betterment of the great detective's constitution. Poirot's own health is soon the last thing on his mind as he becomes convinced that murder is afoot. Lucky for us, he's right. A glamorous actress, a brooding priest, and an assortment of helpful busybodies mix in one of Christie's most famous plots. As is usual in the A&E Poirot series, loving attention to period detail, a careful respect for the original novel, and a gentle wink at the quaintness of it all are apparent. Suchet is, as always, a masterful Poirot, full of infuriating quirks and playful genius, and Fraser handles the difficult job of playing the bland-but-not-too-bland Hastings with aplomb. Special DVD features include an index of all the Hercule Poirot stories, as well as biographies of Agatha Christie and David Suchet. --Ali Davis
Poirot - Evil Under the Sun Reviews:
This health resort isn't so healthy after all... 
2009-06-14 -
This is probably my favorite movie from the David Suchet Poirot series. Amazingly acted with a great mystery and beautiful surroundings, "Evil Under the Sun" has all the great features of the regular TV show.
After eating out at a restaurant, Poirot collapses, which is attributed to him being very overweight. So, Poirot, along with Captain Hastings, takes a trip to a health resort called Sandy Cove. But even here, Poirot cannot escape from murder for murder is everywhere under the sun-especially where Poirot is concerned.
The film is different from the book, but I think most of the changes make this film better. Unlike the book, Captain Hastings accompanies Poirot to the resort. Chief Inspector Japp also shows up when the murder is announced. Also, Linda Marshall is replaced with Lionel Marshall who only plays a small part in this mystery drama.
I highly recommend this film. The setting, partially filmed on Burgh Island, is perfect and the mystery is very intriguing. If you love Poirot, don't miss this one!
"Mesdames et messieurs, we have all come here to this hotel for the reasons of health, exercise, for the holiday and for murder" 
2009-05-30 - Just as Ronald Colman was the best Bulldog Drummond and Rudolf Rassendyll, Colin Firth was the best Mr. Darcy (sorry, Mr. Olivier) or, getting closer to the genre, just as the late great Jeremy Brett made the ideal Sherlock Holmes, David Suchet has become the definitive Hercule Poirot. Suchet has earned this place by virtue of his very good acting and his longevity in the role. Case in point, even though I liked Peter Ustinov in his many turns as Poirot, I feel that David Suchet's version is superior. Suchet simply puts it down perfect as the prissy but astute little Belgian sleuth. In comparison and even though Poirot does favor affected mannerisms, Ustinov's take seems couched in even more over-the-top conceits.
In EVIL UNDER THE SUN, when Poirot keels over at his friend Capt. Hasting's Argentinian restaurant, he is diagnosed with being medically obese. Recommended to undertake a "strict regime of diet and exercise, sunshine and the sea," Poirot is booked passage to the health resort island of Sandy Cove, accompanied by Hastings. But, even on forced holiday, Poirot's little grey cells are constantly churning away. So, in the confines of a seaside paradise, he senses and tries to avert an imminent crime, but fails. Under the afternoon sun, a strangled body is found on the beach, of an actress doomed to die. Poirot must work out the vagaries of a puzzling timetable and air-tight alibis and sift thru sordid doings ranging from indiscreet flirtations to drug smuggling, from a long harbored revulsion to typical jealousies and blackmail. As the investigations unfold, the odd little Belgian suspects that not only is the murderer extremely cunning and devilish, but that he had certainly killed before.
Naturally, near everyone is a suspect, including a most intense ex-vicar, a troubled sixteen-year-old, and even an athletic spinster. While Ustinov's Evil Under the Sun is entertaining, its all-star casting exudes a certain neck-craning, celebrity-watching feel. Suchet's version acquaints us with little known actors who seem to be more suited to their supporting roles (and who also aren't too big of a name for their roles). I've gone thru pretty much all of Christie's Poirot mysteries, but it's been years since I read EVIL UNDER THE SUN, and I've forgotten how very cleverly the murder was committed. I used to read quite a lot of mystery novels and I've always held that Agatha Christie is one of the most diabolical practitioner in the genre. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (The Agatha Christie Mystery Collection), And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot Mysteries), and Curtain (Hercule Poirot) are particularly awesome in terms of the resolution to their respective mysteries.
Hercule Poirot belongs to that niche which features the more atypical detectives. Poirot, like Nero Wolfe, Father Brown, or the Old Man in the Corner, aren't lean, mean men of action. Agatha Christie writes her fastidious little Belgian with a waxed mustache, a mincing walk, and a certain smug air about him. Yet, somehow, she's always made him lovable. EVIL UNDER THE SUN isn't the best of Suchet's work as Poirot, but it'll still do very nicely. So mull over the motives, fight thru the red herrings, and see if your own little grey cells can figure it out (I was stumped years ago) before Poirot demonstrates yet again that, well-bred and -mannered and posh though they may be, the English can murder with the best of them.
An Agatha Christie Classic
2008-09-21 - If you use what this author gives you, it's hard to go wrong. I thought I'd solved it halfway through but of course I was wrong. It's a great film, and casting David Suchet is inspired.
Winter Movies
2008-06-28 - Arrived on time. No damage. Gave as a gift and recipient just loves them.
Ustinov Movie is Much Better 
2008-04-05 - After watching this Poirot film with David Suchet the only good thing I can say about it is the fact that it was filmed at the Burgh Island Hotel in Devon. The acting is dreadful ! Not even David Suchet with his gentlemanly manners can save this dud ! Get the 1982 DVD version with Peter Ustinov & Maggie Smith & Diana Rigg instead.
