Death on the Nile

Play trailer

Death on the Nile

PG

Released Sep 29, 1978

2h 20m

Mystery & Thriller

Crime

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

79%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

On a luxurious cruise on the Nile River, a wealthy heiress, Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles), is murdered. Fortunately, among the passengers are famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) and his trusted companion, Colonel Race (David Niven), who immediately begin their investigation. But just as Poirot identifies a motley collection of would-be murderers, several of the suspects also meet their demise, which only deepens the mystery of the killer's identity.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Joe Clay

The Times (UK)

... The Egyptian locations are the ideal backdrop to colonial intrigue and the cast is a corker, including Jane Birkin, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, David Niven and Maggie Smith.

Mar 28, 2024

Full Review

Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

For fans of the novel, there are a few changes, but none that overwhelm the essence of the story, allowing viewers to take a trip on the Nile with the world-famous sleuth and his inimitable talents.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 21, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Its a fun, if somewhat slow-moving murder mystery that favors glamor and drawing room banter over suspense, like a lavish version of a British TV mystery set in the 1930s.

Mar 12, 2022

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Death on the Nile is an admirable addition to the Christie-on-film canon with a cast of game, if sometimes hammy, actors and just the right amount of murder, mystery and mayhem.

Rated: B

Sep 25, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The intricacies of the plot, the top production values, and a splendid cast add up to stellar entertainment.

Rated: 3.5/4

Sep 6, 2020

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Once it gets going, Death on the Nile is bright and leisurely, like a vacation, and the notes of humor are enough to keep things from getting too heavy.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 5, 2020

Full Review

Read all reviews

thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Julian S

It knows exactly what it is—campy, star-studded, and easily one of the finest whodunits ever put to screen.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

Full Review

Sammy B

This is such a great film! Especially since the cast is full of legendary stars! I also loved it because it stayed true to the original plot details! A great movie to watch when you find yourself with a rainy day and nothing else to do!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Glafira Regina O

One of the best costume films conveying the era and customs of the 1930s. Some points diverge from the book, but the story still feels coherent and well-crafted. Some of the actors underperform, but most of them look interesting and memorable. And although after the new version of 2020, I remember the image of a slightly different Poirot, the inimitable Peter Ustinov still got used to the role of a capricious and cunning Belgian.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/10/24

Full Review

Jack C

This film is vastly superior to Branagh’s convoluted nonsense. It is faithful to the book, Ustinov is on top form and the performance of stars like Bette Davis and Maggie Smith is shining. This is a must-see!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/22/24

Full Review

Rudy A

Christie with a light touch and a top notch cast makes for a perfect entertainment. Far, far superior than the latest Branaugh effort.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/25/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

John Guillermin

Director

Peter Ustinov

Hercule Poirot

Bette Davis

Mrs. Van Schuyler

David Niven

Colonel Race

Jane Birkin

Louise Bourget

Lois Chiles

Linnet Ridgeway

Murder by Decree

81%

65%

Murder by Decree

Watchlist

Family Plot

90%

62%

Family Plot

Watchlist

Murder on the Orient Express

89%

78%

Murder on the Orient Express

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Murder on the Orient Express

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

78%

69%

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Watchlist

The Concorde: Airport '79

22%

13%

The Concorde: Airport '79

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

On a luxurious cruise on the Nile River, a wealthy heiress, Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles), is murdered. Fortunately, among the passengers are famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) and his trusted companion, Colonel Race (David Niven), who immediately begin their investigation. But just as Poirot identifies a motley collection of would-be murderers, several of the suspects also meet their demise, which only deepens the mystery of the killer's identity.

Director: John Guillermin
Producer: John Brabourne, Richard Goodwin
Screenwriter: Anthony Shaffer
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Mersham Productions Ltd., EMI Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 1978, Original
Release Date (DVD): Jan 27, 2009
Runtime: 2h 20m

Most Popular at Home Now