Recently I received a collection of Agatha Christie Whodunit Movies by Studiocanal. Who has lovingly restored four of the most loved classic movies as part of their “Vintage Collection”. The four movies are “Murder on The Orient Express” £14.99 on Blu-Ray and £11.99 on DVD, “Death on The Nile” Blu-Ray, “Evil Under the Sun” Blu-Ray / DVD and “The Mirror Crack’d” Blu-Ray, DVD.
Which would be perfect for any Agatha Christie fan or fan of whodunits, the collection is out today 23rd October.
The first of the movies is “Murder On the Orient Express” with an all-star cast of Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Anthony Perkins, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, Michael York and Vanessa Redgrave. Produced by Richard Goodwin, who produces all four movies, in 1974, Directed by Sidney Lumet. The film itself is roughly 122 min long.
The disk includes along with the actual digitally remastered movie a collection of extras. Consisting of a making of, A new interview with Richard Goodwin the producer, and a slideshow of some of the costumes for the principal actors, actresses.
I was really interested in hearing what happened during the filming, as well as how the costume designer came to design costumes for the stars and their characters.
The menu of the disks is in the style of the art deco period book covers which was really strong in the 30s-50s when the movies are set.
The second of the collection is “Death on the Nile” directed by John Guillerman in 1978. Again there is an all-star cast. This time it’s the turn of Peter Ustinov to play Hercule Poirot in the first of his two times as the famous detective. Joining him in this incarnation is Maggie Smith, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow. David Niven, Jane Birkin, George Kennedy and Angela Lansbury
On the disc along with the fantastically digitally remastered movie is yet another collection of brand new interviews with Anthony Powell the costume designer, Richard Goodwin the producer and the fantastic actress Dame Angela Lansbury, as well as pictures of drawings of the costumes, for each of the stars and a gallery of pictures of behind the scenes.
Again the interviews were fantastic and particularly for movie buffs who want to know what happened behind the scenes whilst making the movie. Also, you showed pictures of the set and the costumes of the stars.
The third in the collection is “The Mirror Crack’d” 1980. Directed by Guy Hamilton, of James Bond fame.
Yet again there is a stellar star cast. This time it is Angela Lansbury, now a dame, playing the quintessential English old lady with a brilliant mind, Miss Marple. Joining her in this fantastic film is some of the biggest stars in the film industry such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis and Kim Novak along with Edward Fox and Geraldine Chaplin as supporting cast. Who are also famous in their own right.
On the disc with the lovingly digitally remastered film which is 101 mins long, there are brand new interviews with Barry Sandler the scriptwriter, Richard Goodwin the Producer and yet another new interview of the elegant and much loved Dame Angela Lansbury. There is also a slideshow of behind the scenes.
The fourth and final film in this collection is “Evil Under the Sun” 1981 and approx 111 min. Is Peter Ustinov’s second and final portrayal of the amazing detective Hercule Poirot. Joining him again in this film is “Dame” Maggie Smith, along with “Dame” Diana Rigg, James Mason, Roddy McDowall and Jane Birkin.
Again a brilliantly directed movie directed by Guy Hamilton. It is lovingly remastered and fantastically shot in Majorca which was Hamilton’s home at the time, despite the original story by Agatha Christie being based in Devon.
On this disc includes a making-of, new interviews with costume designer Anthony Powell, Barry Sandler scriptwriter, Richard Goodwin producer and a slideshow of costumes for the stars and a gallery of behind the scenes.
This is a gorgeous collection for Agatha Christie fans who want to restore movies of her classic detectives both Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.
