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Mystery drama

Death on the Nile (1978): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Death on the Nile (1978) movie poster

Death on the Nile is a 1978 mystery drama directed by John Guillermin, starring Jon Finch, Bette Davis and George Kennedy. It runs 2 hours 20 minutes and earned $14.6 million worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 2 awards in all. Critics gave it 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
worldwide gross
$14.6M
Oscar won
1
Metascore
59
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Death on the Nile (1978) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 20m (140 min)
Director
John Guillermin
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Death on the Nile About?

The premise of Death on the Nile without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This featurette provides a revealing look at the making of "Death on the Nile," exploring the artistry and meticulous planning that went into bringing Agatha Christie's celebrated mystery to the screen. Viewers are taken behind the scenes to witness the dedication of the cast and crew as they recreate the lavish setting and unravel the intricate plot of the iconic story. It showcases the challenges and triumphs of adapting a classic novel for film.

Death on the Nile Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • murder play
  • stage thriller
  • dvd extra
  • agatha christie
  • dvd bonus
  • special feature
  • dvd special feature
  • making of
  • behind the scenes
  • river nile
  • nile river
  • river
+13 more
  • nile
  • murder
  • hercule poirot
  • year 1978
  • sleuth
  • detective
  • hercule poirot character
  • reference to hercule poirot
  • egypt
  • filmed on location
  • epk
  • 1970s
  • based on novel
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Cast & crew

Death on the Nile Cast

Jon Finch leads the cast, with Bette Davis and George Kennedy. Directed by John Guillermin; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Death on the Nile Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Death on the Nile 59 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

Plot

Death on the Nile Plot Summary

What happens in Death on the Nile from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As the tumultuous year of 1914 unfolded amid the chaos of World War I, Allied forces gathered at the Yser Bridge in Belgium, strategizing their next move. Among them, Captain Rens (portrayed by Jon Finch), demonstrated caution and decided to wait before launching an attack. However, the brilliant Hercule Poirot, brought to life by Kenneth Branagh, proposed a bold approach: to strike within seven minutes, cloaked by a gas cloud that would momentarily blind the enemy. The soldiers, inspired by Poirot’s audacity, succeeded in their assault against the Central Powers. Just as Rens commended Poirot for his ingenuity, tragedy struck when he accidentally triggered a bomb that destroyed the bridge, resulting in Rens’ death, several injuries among the troops, and leaving Poirot gravely wounded.

Full summary

The whole story of Death on the Nile, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Death on the Nile Box Office

Death on the Nile grossed $14.6 million worldwide. $14.6 million came from the US and Canada and $8,717 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1978 box office

Worldwide gross

$14.6M

US & Canada
$14.6M
International
$8.7K
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Death on the Nile Awards & Nominations

Death on the Nile won 1 Oscar, including Costume Design, and 2 awards in all. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1979, with 1 win from 3 nominations.

2 wins4 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Death on the Nile Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 clips.

Death on the Nile 1974 trailer
  • Clip DEATH ON THE NILE - 'Set Sail' Film Clip - Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot
  • Clip Agatha Christie's DEATH ON THE NILE - Tango Film Clip - Hercule Poirot
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Death on the Nile?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What unconventional strategy does Hercule Poirot propose during the attack on the Yser Bridge?

Cars

Cars in Death on the Nile

2 cars on screen: the 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 h.p. and the 1933 MG J2 Midget.

  • 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 h.p. in Death on the Nile 1936 Rolls-Royce 25/30 h.p. Important role
  • 1933 MG J2 Midget in Death on the Nile 1933 MG J2 Midget Minor role
Details

Death on the Nile Also Known As

35 alternative titles, including “Halál a Níluson” and “Vražda na Nilu”.

Also known as
  • Halál a Níluson
  • Vražda na Nilu
  • Hercule Poirot Døden på Nilen
  • 나일 살인 사건
  • Mort sur le Nil
  • Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile
  • Tod auf dem Nil
  • Muerte en el Nilo
  • Śmierć na Nilu
  • Роковое путешествие
  • Agatha Christie: Halál a Níluson
  • Assassinio sul Nilo
+23 more
  • Morte no Nilo
  • Смерть на Ниле
  • 尼罗河上的惨案
  • Döden på Nilen
  • Έγκλημα στο Νείλο
  • Nil'de Ölüm
  • רצח על הנילוס
  • ナイル殺人事件
  • Døden på Nilen
  • Smrt na Nilu
  • Kuolema Niilillä
  • Смърт край Нил
  • Morte Sobre o Nilo
  • Смерть на Нілі
  • 나일 강의 죽음
  • Smrť na Níle
  • 尼羅河謀殺案
  • Án Mạng Trên Sông Nile
  • Mort al Nil
  • Mirtis ant Nilo
  • Moarte pe Nil, სიკვდილი ნილოსზე
  • جريمة على نهر النيل
  • ฆาตกรรมบนลำน้ำไนล์

Seen Death on the Nile?

FAQ

Death on the Nile FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Death on the Nile, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Death on the Nile?

Death on the Nile runs 2 hours 20 minutes (140 minutes).

When was Death on the Nile released?

Death on the Nile was released on September 29, 1978.

Who directed Death on the Nile?

Death on the Nile was directed by John Guillermin.

More films by John Guillermin

Who is in the cast of Death on the Nile?

Death on the Nile stars Jon Finch, Bette Davis and George Kennedy, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Death on the Nile make at the box office?

Death on the Nile grossed $14.6 million worldwide ($14.6 million domestic, $8,717 international).

How is Death on the Nile rated?

Death on the Nile has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 59 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

What awards did Death on the Nile win?

Death on the Nile won 2 awards from 4 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 1979.

Does Death on the Nile have a post-credit scene?

No. Death on the Nile has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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