Ages since I did a movie matinee, and today was heavy rain all day, no walking, so I found the 1978 version of Death on the Nile on Freevee.
It's a mad gallop down memory lane of old actors, Peter Ustinov, David Niven, Maggie Smith, Bette Davis, Mia Farrow, even Olivia Hussey got in.
The scenery is wonderful, production values high, and the clothes, dresses, tailoring, just great. I expect we all know the plot -- wealthy young woman is murdered on a Nile steamer, which is packed to the gunwales with suspects. Ustinov is Poirot, with Niven as his sidekick, Colonel somebody.
Great fun to knit by and here's the result, one sock, two views
I've cast on the second sock now.
I also did paper file winnowing, and have a couple of pounds more paper to recycle now
A productive day, all told. And in case the actual spring weather ever gets here, a bit of Beatrix Potter to remind us what it might look like.
She was more than a children's book writer and illustrator. She was also a sheep breeder and judge, and was the driving force behind bringing back the ancient Herdwick sheep breed to the Lake District, Cumbria, to be exact, where it survives and thrives still.
Just another multi-talented person known mainly for only one of her taients. She also fought for the preservation of Cumbrian farms and the way of life of the farmers and shepherds, some of whose families have lived on the land and been good stewards for a thousand years.
Happy day everyone, enjoy your evening or whatever time of day it is when you see this.
Beatrix Potter was indeed a woman ahead of her time. And such a talented one. Her books are my earliest memories.
ReplyDeleteI encountered her books ss sn adult, and found out what all the attention was about. I'd heard of the character's, but never come across the books.
DeleteI like that older version of "Death on the Nile" too. I saw the recent remake with Ken Branagh as Poirot and a new star-studded cast. It was worthwhile as well but I don't really warm to Branagh in the role. His moustache is all wrong.
ReplyDeleteI watched part of the Branagh Orient Express, but almost everyone was hissing their lines in whispers, terrible sound quality, and I gave up on it. Some actors were speaking audibly but not enough to actually follow the action. I think it was meant to be at atmospheric, but it didn't work for me. This one was much better.
ReplyDeleteThe sock looks fantastic and I bet it’s nice and warm too.
ReplyDeleteBeatrix potter books were a favourite of mine growing up.
Thank you, it does feel good.
DeleteIt was interesting to read the biography of Beatrix Potter that came out a few years ago, and see what filled her life beyond writing and illustration.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful sock!
I can only imagine Hercule Poirot in my mind - seeing an Agatha Christie movie wouldn't work for me. Hmmm - I can imagine things/people, but not visualize real things/people. Thinking back to aphantasia...not sure how it ties together.
Chris from Boise
There are some characters such as favorites in georgette Heyer, I wouldn't like to see acted, because I have them firmly in mind. But Christie characters can work well for me acted by the right people.
DeleteI don't remember Death on the Nile at all! That's how long it's been. This also reminds me that it's been ages since I enjoyed anything from Agatha Christie.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to track this one down. I discovered a taste for her during lockdown.
DeleteMy time of day is almost always morning. It’s when I do most of my writing and games and such. I don’t think that I have seen that Poirot.
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of online catchup in the morning over breakfast.
DeleteYou choose a good way to spend a miserable weather day, Boud. I have never seen this film version of Christie’s book, but watching David Sucret as Poiret in the British series has spoiled me for any other actor playing that character. Branagh and Finney did not do well in my opinion and apparently others thought so too. Thanks for the information on Beatrix Potter, most of which I did not know. She was indeed multi-faceted.
ReplyDeleteSuchet did a good job, but branagh didn't understand the part. Ustinov was excellent. I've never seen Finney in it though. I think we all may have favorites of poirot and miss marple.
DeleteI love the sock! So pretty. You are the Beatrix Potter of sock-knitting. You could be famous for them but you do so much more! Can you believe I've never seen that movie?
ReplyDeleteI don't think of you as a mystery fan, somehow. And thank you for the nice words about the sock. This is about my 25th pair, so I should be doing a good job by now!
DeleteI remember that movie! It's been ages since I've seen it -- probably since about the time it came out. I wonder why Olivia Hussey didn't have more of a career?
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DeleteIt was a star crossed debut for her in the zeffirelli Romeo and Juliet, later embroiled in lawsuits because both leads were underage and considered exploited by nude scenes they objected to. It's possible both of them were considered, unfairly, radioactive. The Romeo actor didn't get far either.
DeleteOver years I have seen that movie a few times. Peter Ustinov made a distinct version of Poirot. I also have Poirot as David Suchet firmly embedded in my brain.. Nice, warm sock!
ReplyDeleteSuchet definitely made it his own. Years of TV episodes vs one time movies will do that.
DeleteYes it will. Jeremy Brett will forever be Sherlock, although Basil Rathbone is also Sherlock. Joan Hickson is the only Miss Marple as far as I am concerned. Yes, I've watched a whole lot of these series on PBS! I've read most of the books, long ago.
DeleteI think I will look for that movie, it would be fun to see those old actors all together in a pretty good movie. I've actually forgotten the plot. Your socks made me wish I knew how to knit. So nice looking and toasty warm too.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd enjoy the movie. The scenery is great, wonderful boats everywhere, and the acting is good. Fun seeing all those old faces.
DeleteI have seen that but prefer Suchet as Poirot. Those socks look great!
ReplyDeleteOnce an actor has seized a part, it's hard to see anyone else in it.
DeleteIt surprised me when we were downsizing our house in order to move here and when the collection of children's books we had was offered to our sons, they both wanted the sets of Beatrix Potter books over and above anything else.
ReplyDeleteI guess they're timeless!
DeleteI love that painting by Potter. Until I got an oversized bio/retrospective of her work, I didn't realize she ever did anything other than the scientific drawings and the children's books. She's amazing. And that is SUCH a fun movie -- Aggie, to start with, then that cast. Can't go wrong!
ReplyDeleteIbthe lake district she's better known as a sheep breeder and mover and shaker in the sheep world, powerful advocate for shepherds and sheep grazing rights and protection, than as a writer!
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