Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- mildly suspenseful
- theatrical
- exotic
- classic mystery night
- Agatha Christie marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a lackluster and routine Agatha Christie adaptation weakened by bland characterization, sleepy pacing, and cheap-looking production despite its Israeli locations and all-star cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Poirot investigates Emily Boynton's poisoning among her family, associates, and fellow travelers in Jerusalem.
Emily is poisoned after manipulating the family and suppressing a second will that could free the children.
The investigation unfolds amid a vacation through Europe and the Holy Land, with key action in Jerusalem and at an archaeological dig.
Emily blackmails lawyer Jefferson Cope into destroying her late husband's second will, making the document central to the family conflict.
Films like Appointment with Death, and why
Murder on the Orient Express
ensemble murder mystery, exotic travel setting, celebrated detective, and classic whodunit structure
Evil Under the Sun
Agatha Christie adaptation featuring Hercule Poirot, an enclosed suspect group, and aristocratic intrigue
Death on the Nile
period mystery built around a wealthy dysfunctional family, poison, and an investigator uncovering hidden motives
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Winner
- Release Date
- 1988-04-15
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (195)
Cast
- Peter Ustinov
- Lauren Bacall
- Carrie Fisher
- John Gielgud
- Piper Laurie
- Hayley Mills
- Jenny Seagrove
- David Soul
- Nicholas Guest
- Valerie Richards
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Appointment with Death about?
- A domineering matriarch's poisoning turns a Holy Land vacation into an elaborate Hercule Poirot whodunit.
- What is Appointment with Death like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Appointment with Death as slow, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Appointment with Death violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Appointment with Death as mild.
- What did critics think of Appointment with Death?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a lackluster and routine Agatha Christie adaptation weakened by bland characterization, sleepy pacing, and cheap-looking production despite its Israeli locations and all-star cast.
- Which films are like Appointment with Death?
- Films with a similar feel include Murder on the Orient Express, Evil Under the Sun, and Death on the Nile.
- How long is Appointment with Death?
- Appointment with Death runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Appointment with Death?
- In United States, Appointment with Death streams on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
