Since the 1970s, the most translated author in the world is also one of the most adapted to the screen, in films or series. Effectively, the queen of detective fiction is revered around the world for its ingenious plots and his exciting mysteriesbut also for its eccentric characters and his acerbic humor.
On the occasion of the release of Mystery in Venicelet’s come back to the best adaptations of Agatha Christie novelsthe writer with a formidable literary heritage who left us 47 years ago.
Did you know ? Agatha Christie’s novels have sold more than two billion copies
Mystery in Venice (2023)
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Released in theaters on September 13, Mystery in Venice continues to be talked about. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s short story The Halloween Crime, Mystery in Venice is a supernatural thriller which marks the big return to theaters of the famous detective Hercule Poirotinterpreted by Kenneth Branagh. At the heart of paranormal phenomena more intriguing than otherswe find a exceptional castingcomposed of Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) , Tina Fey (Lolita in spite of myself) , Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of grey) or the French actress Camille Cottin (Stillwater).
Synopsis: In the stricken post-war Venice, on the eve of All Saints’ Day, a mysterious crime will mark the great return of Hercule Poirot. In voluntary exile in the City of the Doges, Poirot, now retired, reluctantly agrees to participate in a seance in a disused and supposedly haunted palazzo belonging to the famous singer Rowena Drake. During the session, one of the guests is murdered. The mustachioed detective then finds himself propelled into a sinister world, filled with shadows and secrets.
8 Women (2002)
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Here is an innovative adaptation of Ten little Indians ! Effectively, François Ozon has chosen a cast exclusively composed of women who become the potential murderers. Who Fanny Ardant, Catherine Deneuve or Isabelle Huppert will turn out to be the murderer in this thrilling musical comedy ?
Synopsis : In a large bourgeois residence from the 1950s, Marcel is preparing to celebrate Christmas in the company of his wife Gaby, his sister-in-law Augustine, his mother-in-law Mamy and his two daughters, Catherine and Suzon. But when the maid Louise wakes the master of the house, she makes a macabre discovery which upsets this festive day: Marcel is found murdered in his bed, with a dagger stuck in the back. The eight women present there then found themselves suspected of the murder. The investigation will be rich in revelationsnot always very bright, on the lives of these eight suspects.
Death on the Nile (2022)
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After its 2017 adaptation of the novel The crime of the Orient ExpressBritish actor Kenneth Branagh signs a spectacular new adaptation, Death on the Nile. Already adapted for the cinema by John Guillermin in 1978, this mysterious story never ceases to thrill fans of the famous detective Hercule Poirot. Particularly when it is brought to the screen by actors like Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ammie Hammer (Call me by your name) or Sophie Okonedo (Hellboy) !
Synopsis : Hercule Poirot and his colleague Colonel Johnny Race must solve a murder aboard a luxury cruise ship traveling the Nile. Who is the victim ? A wealthy, newly married heiress named Linnet Ridgeway. The investigation will be revealed very quickly hecticbecause we understand from the start that all the passengers on the boat have a solid motive to kill the young woman.
The crime of the Orient Express (1974)
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Many times adapted for cinema or television, The crime of the Orient Express is surely one of the British novelist’s most famous plots. And among all the adaptations, which tended to disappoint her, one particularly caught her attention: the one produced by Sidney Lumet, in 1974. Named 6 times at the Oscarsthis wonderful film revolves around a dream casting with among others Albert Finney (Big Fish), Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca), Jean-Pierre Cassel (Army of Shadows), Lauren Bacall (The Port of Anguish) or Sean Connery (James Bond) !
The synopsis : visiting Istanbul, the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot must rush back to France. To get to France, Hercule Poirot boards a the Orient Express, this train capable of crossing Europe in just a few days. At the start of the trip, a businessman named Samuel Ratchett asks the detective to protect him, feeling his life in danger. The latter refuses to lend help to this stranger. But the next morning, Samuel is found in his bunk, stabbed twelve times in the chest. But who could possibly be at the origin of this drama behind closed doors among the 13 passengers?
The Mirror Shattered (1980)
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Miss Jane Marple, played by Angela Lansburyonce again took on the role of the detective to solve a mystery drama. With its star-studded cast of big names in cinema like Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak or Rock Hudson, this adaptation features the two legendary actresses as rivals. What could be more thrilling! Especially since we quickly learn that old conflicts between the two women arise throughout the plot…
Synopsis : a historical film shoot about Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, begins in Gossington Castle in England. A young resident, Heather Babcock, dies of poisoning in the home of the film’s star, Marina Gregg. Miss Marple then discovers thatold conflicts resurface and that in reality, the movie star is probably the intended victim.
My little finger told me (2005)
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In France too, directors have a real passion for the English novelist, like Pascal Thomas. Director of four adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, he brings together in My little finger told me André Dussollier And Catherine Frot in the role of a retired couple who overcome boredom by becoming detectives. We will find them three years later, in 2008, in Crime is our businessthen in 2012 in Associates Against Crime.
Synopsis : very intrigued by the sudden disappearance of an old lady in a retirement pension, Prudence Beresford leads the investigation with the help of her husband, Bélisaire. A detective adventure in the heart of Savoie which may well change the course of their peaceful existence!
Murder in the Sun (1982)
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Movie of Guy Hamilton, Murder in the Sun is inspired by one of Agatha Christie’s most popular novels, Hercule Poirot’s Holiday. Peter Ustinov, for the second time in the role of Hercule Poirot, tells us about his trip to a seaside resort as he investigates a double affair: that of a millionaire’s fake diamonds and the murder of a famous actress . Alongside him, we can find other renowned actors, such as Jane Birkin or Colin Blakely. So, heading towards the Mediterranean?
Synopsis : a Broadway superstar named Arlena is found strangled on a deserted beach on a private island in the Adriatic. But who could have committed this horrible crime? From suspects present, everyone has a good reason to have murdered the arrogant victim. Hercule Poirot
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