Evil Under The Sun
Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Starz / Anchor Bay  (1982) 117 mins PG

6.7 (2,597 votes)
Holidays Can Be Murder!

When a shrewish stage star is found strangled at a posh island resort, detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) is called in to investigate. But as the brilliant Belgian learns, it isn't a matter of who would want the diva dead, but who wouldn't? As he follows the twists and turns of clues and motives, Poirot soon discovers that even among the rich and famous, murder never takes a holiday.

Maggie Smith, Roddy McDowall, Diana Rigg, James Mason, Jane Birkin, Colin Blakely and Sylvia Miles co-star in this Christie favorite filmed on location in stunning Majorca, Spain, directed by Guy Hamilton (The Mirror Crack'd, Goldfinger), adapted by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth) and filled with classic songs by Cole Porter....

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Cast and Crew
Peter Ustinov  ......  Hercule Poirot
Jane Birkin  ......  Christine Redfern
Colin Blakely  ......  Sir Horace Blatt
Nicholas Clay  ......  Patrick Redfern
James Mason  ......  Odell Gardener
Roddy McDowall  ......  Rex Brewster
Director  .....  Guy Hamilton
Producer  .....  John Brabourne; Richard B. Goodwin; Richard Goodwin
Writer  .....  Agatha Christie; Anthony Shaffer
Notes
Goofs:
Continuity: The first time Patrick and Christine Redfern are heard arguing about Patrick's relationship with Arlena, Patrick says "I can't even speak to a pretty woman without you jumping to the conclusion that I'm having an affair with her". Later when Poirot flashes back to the scene, Patrick is heard saying "I can't even speak to a pretty woman with out you jumping to the conclusion that I'm... well, having an affair with her." The scenes are supposed to be identical but they are not. (more)

Trivia:
When Poirot examines the hotel register for signatures of previous guests, he discovers the names of several international celebrities during the 1930s, including Cole Porter, whose music is featured in the film; Ivor Novello; Maurice Chevalier; Fred Astaire and his sister Adele Astaire); Charles Chaplin; and possibly Marlene Dietrich. An entry listing a home address is listed as Berlin, although the signature is illegible aside from the capital M and D). The register is likely a private joke by the filmmakers since it appears on-screen for only a brief second or two. (more)

Filming Locations:
Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain (more)

Quotes:
Daphne Castle: Couldn't we make this a private investigation? You know how peculiar people can be about a spot of murder. (more)

Awards:
1 nomination (more)