This generation is familiar with David Suchet’s excellent portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. It doesn’t get much better than that! But if you’re in the mood to experience a different take on Poirot, be sure to check out Peter Ustinov’s portrayal.
Peter Ustinov starred in six Hercule Poirot movies:
- Death on the Nile (1978)
- Evil Under the Sun (1982)
- Thirteen at Dinner (1985)
- Dead Man’s Folly (1986)
- Murder in Three Acts (1986)
- Appointment with Death (1988)
These movies spared no expense >>> the movies were filmed in the locations in which the Agatha Christie novels were set: movie #1 – Egypt, movie #2 – Mallorca and Spain, movies #3 & 4 – England, movie #5 – Mexico, and movie #6 – Israel, Italy, and England.
Besides the wonderful actor, Peter Ustinov, these six movies featured top-notch, big name guest stars of the times: Angela Lansbury, Bette Davis, David Niven, Maggie Smith, Diana Rigg, Mia Farrow, James Mason, Roddy McDowell, Faye Dunaway, Tony Curtis, Lauren Bacall, John Gielgud, the list simply goes on and on.
The wardrobe is phenomenal. The costume department seemed to almost have themes for the different movies. The sets were realistic-looking, right down to the smallest details.
I was going to write entries about each of Peter Ustinov’s Hercule Poirot movies and started that with an entry about his portrayal of Hercule in Evil Under the Sun (“Evil Under the Sun” – Poirot Comes to Life in Peter Ustinov’s 1982 Portrayal), but instead I’ve decided to simply list the movies and tell you that they are definitely a change of pace from the David Suchet’s Hercule Poirot movies. (Oh, and you may be surprised to see David Suchet in one of them!)
For more movie and television show recommendations, visit the page on my site: TV and Movies.
Phyllis Dunn says
Do you know where these films are available streaming? Netflix? Amazon?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Phyllis, unfortunately I don’t think any of them are currently available as part of a streaming service (to the best of my knowledge), but they can be rented from Amazon or Vudu for $2-$3.
Lp says
Amazon prime video has some. Don’t need to be prime subscriber. I love these movies.
Janet says
Can watch on Tubi it’s free
Lydia says
I tried looking up Death on the Nile streaming, and it looks like Amazon Prime streaming, Netflix, and TCM may all have this available for streaming. I don’t know for sure, though, and I don’t know if they have the rest of the films. I hope you find them, so you can enjoy them.
Glenfiddich says
I got all these movies streaming online except Dead man’s folly. Try.
JULIE WEAR says
Where did you see them streaming?
Susan Foster says
They are currently available on Tubi. It’s a great ap for older movies, and it’s free!
Theresa Little says
I don’t like streaming, I prefer to own my movies, and Amazon seems to be the best choice.
Doug Thorsen says
#3-5 are available on the free streaming service Tubi, #1 is on the free The Roku Channel, #2 and 6 are on the paid streaming service BFI ( you can do a free 7-day trial, which is what I’m doing).
Suzanne M says
Peter Ustinov brought just a touch of comedy. Every time I watch Evil Under the Sun I wait for his swimming scene. Priceless.
Caroline S says
What a coincidence! I am in the Goodreads group Seasonal Reading Challenge and one of the Fall Challenge Group Reads was Death On The Nile which came under the category if a book set in an Arab country. Strange I know since the location doesn’t usually play much of a role in the story. Anyway, I thought I had read Death On The Nile as I have read a lot of her books. Turns out I was remembering the movie because I kept thinking of Peter Ustinov as Poirot when I usually think of David Suchet! Thanks for this list! I didn’t know there was a movie version of 13 At Dinner! That was the first Christie book I read when I was in high school. I remember I didn’t understand it much so I didn’t read any more until I got to college and now I love her!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Caroline, yes, that’s something my son has mentioned as well – that sometimes high school classes aren’t the best place to really learn to appreciate classic literature, since many high schoolers aren’t ready to appreciate some of the classics. That’s especially true when it is an assignment forced on them – certainly not the best situation to come to love something, just to learn about it and tolerate it!
Theresa Little says
I beg to differ, high school is where I learned about the classic and fell in love with them…still do.
Carolyn P Hoyt says
Good to be reminded of the wonderful Peter Ustinov. He was one of those rare actors who could save any move from total disaster. Definitely time to revisit his Hercule Poirot.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carolyn, I would definitely say it would be worth your time!
Sean Hagins says
This series actually started with Albert Finney’s Murder on the Orient Express! You can’t forget that-especially since they are making a new movie of it that is coming out soon (or may already be out-I’m not sure)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sean, that’s true, as they are produced by the same people. It’s sometimes hard to remember that, considering the switch from Albert Finney to Peter Ustinov.
Bek says
I LOVED those movies! One of the few examples where the book wasn’t utterly ruined for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, it certainly can be hard to find an adaptation of a book (and iconic character) you form such a strong mental image of.
Lydia says
I totally agree – the Ustinov films are excellent and spared no expense. Ustinov’s take on the Poirot character is different than Suchet’s, less fussy and a lot more laid back. Nevertheless, he brings Poirot’s little grey cells to every case and you can see him thinking and observing behind sparkling eyes. I definitely highly recommend them (and I hope to add them to my movie collection).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lydia, it can be very interesting seeing a different portrayal of such a classic character. I agree that Ustinov’s Poirot definitely seems less on the fussy side than Suchet’s!
Suzanne Marzano says
Peter Ustinov is my favorite movie Poirot. There is something about his portrayal of the character that brings a whole new idea about how Poirot could be. Ustinov brings a bit of extremely dry humor which will probably pass over many people but I love him. I can’t watch more than an hour of David Suchet and I enjoy him. Yet for Murder on the Orient Express for me it is the 1974 version with Albert Finney as Poirot. Also Lauren Bacall, Dame Wendy Hiller, Anthony Perkins, Sean Connery, Sir John Gielgud, Ingrid Bergman, Vanessa Redgrave and a few other big names that escape me right now. Bergman won an Oscar for her role in this movie. I know, I’m a movie snob. And the best Miss Marple, Joan Hickson. Of course.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, you’re right that the Finney Orient Express is also an excellent movie! And WOW, that star-studded cast is also definitely an impressive array!
Leslie says
These were my favorite AC movies….Peter Ustinov is not who you think of when you think Poirot, but he makes the part his very own.
Death on the Nile is my favorite, but I see that thhey are all available on Youtube!! Yay!!
Thanks for reminding me of these wonderful films!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Leslie, you’re welcome, and I hope you enjoy revisiting them!
Judy K. says
I have enjoyed all the Ustinov films, especially Death on the Nile. The setting is superb. Nevertheless Suchet is my favorite. I think his portrayal is thoughtful and even respectful.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Judy, I tend to agree that Suchet is my personal favorite Poirot. That said, this is one of the fortunate cases where several different portrayals with different styles have all led to excellent portrayals of a classic character.
Joyce Kerrigan says
I do recall from some years ago seeing Peter Ustinov in the role of Hercule Poirot and I remember enjoying them very much. Who could not enjoy Agatha Christie’s Poirot?! In recent years I have seen David Suchet’s portrayal and confess I think he is absolutely perfect in the role, exactly as I pictured Poirot in my mind and imagination. Having said that, however, it will be interesting to watch Ustinov once again and all of the stars who were with him. A blast from the past, so to speak. Thanks for the update!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joyce, it’s definitely worth going back to see these classic movies again. Excellent performances by talented casts give them a definite timeless quality.
Bek says
Oh, TELL me about it! One of my favorite non-cozy series is the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon. STARZ is actually doing a wonderful job with them, giving each book a whole season. Costumes and sets/locations are to die for! This is what you expect from a feature movie! However…Jamie and Claire…Well. When I watched the first episode, I kept thinking, “That isn’t them AT ALL,” but by the end of the second episode, I couldn’t imagine them any other way, so all is forgiven.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, it always is a surprise when a performance turns out so strong that it can overcome an initially skeptical reaction!
Suzanne Marzano says
Talking about Peter Ustinov brought back such good feelings so last night I popped Evil Under the Sun. Not only does it have a star studded cast but the scene where Poirot is in swimming costume and does his version of swimming is priceless. Still making me chuckle this morning over my coffee. Thanks for the reminder of a great and perfect movie Poirot.
RobinA says
One of my faves too. Aren’t those costumes awesome! And the script too. My fave quote from that movie “What a cock-up Poirot!!!!” LOL ? I use that phrase more than I’d like some days, ha! ?
Vicki L. says
Danna, can you compile a list of movie versions of the Miss Marple books? I seem to remember a tv movie with Angela Lansbury portraying her made in the 70’s. Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vicki, actually, it was in 1980 – The Mirror Crack’d. I may write about it at some point!
Suzanne Marzano says
If anyone is interested Helen Hayes did a Miss Marple call A Caribbean Mystery that I think is a little better than the rest of those made by other actresses. I think it was around 1982 or 1983. It’s hard to find but I do know Vulu or something like that on my Roku box has it. It has a great cast including Maurice Evens (Bewitched) and Beth Howland (Alice). It has a little humor to it also so it’s not as dreary as so of the other versions. Just my opinion.
Christine Evans says
Way back in the day Margaret Rutherford played Miss Marple in ‘Murder she said’, adapted from the 4.50 from Paddington novel.
Ian says
Wow, I had no idea there were so many. I’ve always liked Ustinov the best as Poirot but from my dim memory I only thought he did three – Death on the Nile, Evil under the Sun and Appointment with Death. You’ve just made my day! 😉
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ian, I’m glad you have a few more movies to hunt down then!
Suzanne Marzano says
I splurged and just purchased Dead Man’s Folly with Peter Ustinov. Now I just need to open the purse strings again and buy 13 at Dinner and Appointment with Death. Appointment With Death maybe awhile because story isn’t one of my favorites.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Suzanne, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen all of them, so I’m a bit jealous!
RobinA says
Thank you for listing these movies! I loved Peter Ustinov as Poirot! Esp in Death on the Nile! I never did like Suchet, his voice got on my nerves unfortunately. However you listed 3 movies with Peter I had no idea about so I will find them and watch them. I’ve loved Agatha Christie since a teen and collect her old hardbacks when I can find them. She’s my fave mystery writer and her writing awesome. The little gray cells live on!
Cheryl Joanne Oshaughnessy says
Thank you for the list. I didn’t know Peter Ustinov had played Poirot in 6 films. I will search for all of them. I love his version of Poirot but for me David Suchet will always be my number 1. I have seen every one of his episodes. I have watched all of the Marples over Christmas… Margaret Rutherford, Joan Hickson ( my favourite) & the recent ones. Glad to see the BBC have been making some of the Christie films, And Then There Were None was very good although the 1945 black & white one is the best. Didn’t like the recent version of Poirot played by John Malkovich though.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cheryl, I didn’t know John Malkovich played Poirot. Once Agatha Christie’s daughter died it seems the studios were able to take more liberties with the Marple and Poirot portrayals, as well as the novel’s contents. I agree with you about Joan Hickson being the best Miss Marple. She almost IS Jane Marple!
Brandon H. says
Thanks for posting this list! There were two that I did not have on my list to watch, and now that has been corrected. I loved Ustinov’s performance in Death on the Nile and Finney’s in Murder on the Orient Express.
William criss says
What fun to see others loving these classics as much as I do. Guess I need to get a smart tv so I can track down some of these favorites. Thanks
Sidney Supplee says
I agree with you
v8power says
Sir Peter Ustinov was the best Poirot, just wish they made more movies with him as the detective, real joy to watch but perhaps it’s quality over quantity, the most interesting stories were chosen and the locations were also amazing just like you’ve said.