The final performance of Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot was a critical and commercial misfire.
In short: Released in 1988, this adaptation of Agatha Christie's mystery novel marked the end of an era for Peter Ustinov's portrayal of the famous detective. Despite an all-star cast and exotic filming locations in Israel, the production struggled to capture the sophisticated charm of earlier Poirot films, ultimately failing to impress critics.
Produced by Golan-Globus, the 1988 film Appointment with Death serves as the swan song for Peter Ustinov’s tenure as Hercule Poirot. The narrative follows the detestable Emily Boynton, who manipulates her stepchildren and lawyer to secure a fortune. When she is found dead at an archaeological site in Qumran, Poirot must navigate a web of family secrets and hidden motives to identify the killer. The film deviates from the original 1938 novel by shifting the setting from Petra, Jordan, to Israel, a choice influenced by the production company's logistical preferences.
The film’s reception was largely negative. Critics frequently compared it unfavorably to earlier, more polished adaptations like 1974's Murder on the Orient Express. Reviews in publications like The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times described the production as lackluster and uninspired, with some reviewers noting that the film felt cheap despite its exotic backdrop. By the end of its theatrical run, it ranked among the worst-performing films of 1988 at the box office, holding a modest 42% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Director Michael Winner, known for his penchant for violent cinema, attempted a change of pace with this project, famously noting that the film was notably light on blood. Interestingly, the production utilized the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, a site founded in 1902 by the grandfather of the film's star, Plato von Ustinov. While the film failed to achieve critical acclaim, it remains a historical footnote in the legacy of Agatha Christie adaptations, eventually finding a second life on home media when it was released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2012.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Appointment with Death (film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-appointment-with-death-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
