Cubussoli Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Phonearl Good start, but then it gets ruined

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

JohnHowardReid A Golan-Globus production, copyright 1988 by The Cannon Group, Inc. Distributed by Cannon in key territories. New York opening: 15 April 1988. London premiere: 27 May 1988. 108 minutes. Cut to 102 minutes in the USA. SYNOPSIS: The time is 1937. After depriving her mature-age step-children of their rightful inheritance, a tyrannical matriarch takes her family on a tour of the Holy Land.NOTES: Counting his three TV movies, this is Ustinov's sixth (and final) appearance as Hercule Poirot whom he commenced playing in Death on the Nile (1978). The others: Evil under the Sun (1982), "Thirteen at Dinner" (1985), "Dead Man's Folly" (1986), "Murder in Three Acts" (1986). USA rental gross was only $960,000. Even allowing for a similar gross from the rest of the world, the film would have been lucky to break even.COMMENT: With an enormous amount of actual location lensing, this entry certainly looks expansively attractive. Unfortunately the sound re-recording is occasionally a bit on the blurry side, but a much worse annoyance is the fidgety, jumpy, jerky film editing perpetrated by Mr Winner, who seems anxious that neither a single unnecessary location set-up or top-heavy studio close-up be jettisoned. These two irritants make the plot somewhat difficult to follow. Admittedly, the editorial rhythm does settle down about halfway through. In fact, the story even starts to drag a little, despite the welcome insertion of a couple of well-staged action sequences. Ustinov's indifferent performance doesn't help either. The movie is saved by Lauren Bacall, however, ably assisted by Jenny Seagrove and-in lesser roles-Piper Laurie and David Soul, almost right up to the fade-out when an unexpected conclusion proves not only highly disappointing but leaves a bad taste in the mouth. In a book or on the stage, Miss Christie probably managed to get away with it, but cinema audiences are rooting for the character concerned. It comes as a big blow when this charismatic person turns out to be a cold-blooded killer. I'm not surprised the movie failed to recover its negative cost in America. OTHER VIEWS: The murder mystery itself proves far less interesting than the scenery, while the locations themselves are often dwarfed by the cast. With the exception of Peter Ustinov (who often seems to have wandered into the movie by mistake), the principals deliver mighty engaging performances, though it's sad to see Hayley Mills in such a lackluster and unrewarding role. David Soul gives a good account of himself, but it's the women led by Lauren Bacall and Piper Laurie who really excel. Director/editor Michael Winner seems overly concerned to cram as much location footage as possible into the film, often at the expense of coherence. But then, when it comes to the minor players, who cares who's who anyway?

Maziun This is the sixth and final time Peter Ustinov played Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot. It's also the third theatrical release Ustinov made after three horrible TV movies. While "Appointment with death" is better than those TV movies it is still unfortunately a rather bad movie.This is a Golan-Globus production and surprisingly this movie actually has decent production values and cast. They did put some money in it – the movie was shot on location in England , Italy and Israel , we have period costumes , vehicles etc. The movie maybe didn't have huge budget , but at least it feels like a theatrical release. Pino Donaggio score is adequate to what is happening on the screen . It's nothing brilliant , but it doesn't have an 80's feel to it like some have complained."Appointment with death" is not really strongest of Agatha Christie books. The book is notable mainly for the character of Mrs. Boyton and the strange psychological bound she has over her family. The plot is otherwise boring. I think that the writer Anthony Shaffer ("Sleuth") knew that and added few things from himself to the story which was a good idea.The problem with translating Christie's books is that they aren't very cinematic – they involve a lot of talking , psychology , they don't have action (fights , chases ) . It would take a REALLY talented director and actors to make a this kind of story to work. A perfect example is Sidney Lumet's "Murder on the orient express" . Great cast , sharp screenplay and solid direction make it work. In other hands it could be boring and cheesy B-movie."Appointment with death" suffers from many things. Mrs. Boynton isn't scary or fascinating like in the novel , she is just nasty. Piper Laurie ("Children of lesser God") is not bad , but her character is rather annoying and terribly one dimensional. Because of that we don't feel the psychological tension between the Boyton family members. In that way the movie misses completely the point of the book.The other problem are the bland characters. Only Poirot , Mrs. Boyton and Lady Welstholm are interesting . Others are boring and also rather badly acted. John Gielgud ("Arthur") is wasted as his role is small and rather pointless. Lauren Bacall ("To have or have not") is good and Ustinov offers a typical for him performance as Poirot. Carrie Fisher ("Star wars") plays one of the Boytons and can't do much with such badly written role. The Boytons are so empty and completely interchangeable , it's hard to tell one from another.The direction from Michael Winner ("Death wish") is shapeless . There are many pointless gigantic close ups or completely weird camera angles. The movie has no suspense and is delivered in too slow fashion. The screenplay doesn't rely seem to hold on the viewer's interest. The idea of dividing Poirot's final summation into two separate sequences serves no other purpose than to bide some time. The mystery is just not strong enough. It is difficult to care much about who it is committed the murder. There also seem to be too many plot contrivances here.In the end it's a rather dull movie , that probably won't satisfy even the die-hard Christie fans. Better watch "Murder on the Orient Express" , "Death on the Nile" or "Evil under the sun". This movie is a step up from those horrible TV movies , but nothing more than that. It's a sad farewell for Ustinov. I give it 3/10.

mark.waltz You thought Piper Laurie was nasty as Carrie's mother? Wait until you meet her character of Emily Boynton, the nastiest of all wicked stepmothers. A former prison warden, she runs her home as the wealthy widow as if it were Riker's Island, keeping tabs on each of her stepchildren to the point that they wish her dead, unaware that it was her manipulations that left them to wait for her death rather than share in the estate of her late father. Determined to keep tabs on them, she "suggests" a European vacation followed by a trip to the Holy Land, and there, some very unholy activities lead to murder, and a most predictable conclusion.Peter Ustinov is back as Hercule Poirot, and if his trips to the Nile and the Adriatic Sea weren't enough to warn people to watch what they say when he's a mile within vicinity, nothing is. Lauren Bacall plays an American widow of a British nobleman who somehow became a member of the British Parliament, with Hayley Mills as an aspiring archaeologist and Jenny Seagrove as a doctor who has several run-ins with the obnoxious Laurie. Her character is a bit hard to take, seemingly directed to overact in every scene she's in. Carrie Fisher, John Gielgud and David Soul are other familiar faces among some relatively unknown actors as the unfortunate step-children. The highlight of the film is Ustinov's revelation of the killer as the culprit watches from afar, their feeling of doom and self-destruction erupting into making you actually feel sorry for them.

solar12 Peter Ustinov is an absolute joy to behold in the role of Hercule Poirot! He played Poirot in three theatrical films: Death On the Nile, Evil Under the Sun, and Appointment With Death. He also played Poirot in three TV movies: Thirteen At Dinner, Murder in Three Acts, and Dead Man's Folly. It's always a delight to spend time with Ustinov's Poirot. He's so much fun! The three Poirot TV movies starring Ustinov are now available in a three DVD set. I've had a great time watching these with friends and family and all of Ustinov's Poirot movies are worth watching and re-watching. My deep affection for Ustinov's Poirot grows with each viewing. He's brilliant and each of his Poirot movies are fantastic fun!