Evil Under the Sun - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Given that StudioCanal restored Evil Under the Sun in 4K Dolby Vision as part of their four-film Agatha Christie Collection (and solo single-title releases), I don’t have a whole lot to add to my previous review for this film. As Guy Hamilton returns behind the camera, he delivers a much more energetic and engaging whodunit than his previous time with The Mirror Crack’d. It’s a more lavish and stylish production. The cast is brighter with more dynamic, colorful characters. The central mystery is more tantalizing and not nearly as easy to call. Plus, there’s that amazing round of Cole Porter tunes to set the scene. Sure, it might not be as illustrious as Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile, but this is a very entertaining mystery that I just love to revisit whenever I can.

Here’s my previous coverage of Evil Under the Sun 

• The Agatha Christie Collection 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review 
• Evil Under the Sun - Blu-ray Review 

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 
After reviewing all of these films again, it’s time for a vacation with Evil Under the Sun, enjoying a new two-disc 4K UHD + Blu-ray release from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The 4K is pressed on a BD100 disc with a BD50 serving the 1080p and the smaller extra features. The discs are housed in a two-disc case with reversible insert artwork, complete with a slipcover. The discs load to a static image main menu with standard navigation options.

Following the pattern set by Death on the Nile and The Mirror Crack’d - Evil Under the Sun arrives on 4K disc here in the States, utilizing the same 4K Dolby Vision restoration from StudioCanal. Again, it does feel like the bitrate comes in a bit stronger with fine film grain appearing more distinctive and noticeable, but nothing too severe. Just a little “gritty” if I were to put a light term to it. I didn’t feel like I was seeing the same sort of slight blocky artifacting I noticed with Nile and I don't feel the need to step the rating back any. Otherwise, this is a robustly bright, cheery, and very colorful film, and it looks grand in 4K, allowing those period costumes and production values to fully come to life. Christopher Challis returns to lens this mystery for Guy Hamilton, and he fully captures the location's beauty. Here’s what I had to say about this transfer already: 

I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, but following Death on the Nile and The Mirror Crack’d, this second outing for Ustinov as Poirot may not be the best film ever, but it’s bright, cheery, and scenically beautiful. The island location is the perfect backdrop for a murder most foul, and this gorgeous 2160p 1.85:1 Dolby Vision transfer delivers on all of its best attributes. Again, fine facial features, clothing textures, and production design work all get their time in the sun. Film grain is nicely rendered without being too noisy or intrusive. This film might not be as ornate as Death on the Nile or Murder on the Orient Express, but it has moments to shine. The cocktail party sequence certainly has its share of dapperly dressed individuals sporting stylish outfits. Sylvia Miles certainly enjoys her share of outlandish looks throughout the film! Again, the Dolby Vision grade doesn’t radically change the color timing but refines and perfects it. Primaries are exquisite, and reds certainly look notable. Skin tones again are perfectly healthy. Black levels and shadows are right on point; there aren’t too many deep, dark, creepy spaces given how sunny the location is, but the sense of depth is notable, especially in the shots from the cliffside overlooking the beach. 

Following its cinematic Christie whodunit siblings, Evil Under the Sun arrives with a strong DTS-HD MA 2.0. Like the others, I might have had to nudge the volume a tad, but nothing too severe or problematic. Right from the jump the jazzy orchestral Cole Porter tunes come to life beautifully and set the tone for the rest of the feature. Dialog is clean and clear without issue. Key sound effects like the “Noon Day Gun” maintain their prominence. All around a good clean track without any issues for a delightful murder mystery.

Evil Under the Sun takes another bow on disc, delivering the same extras KLSC previously offered. As with their other films in the line of Christie whodunits, The Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchellm and Nathanial Thompson commentary is the highlight and a great listen. Unfortunately, this set doesn’t offer up any of the crew interviews or featurettes of the StudioCanal release. So again, if extra features are of importance to you, that Agatha Christie Collection 4K box set or the single-title releases. 

• Audio Commentary featuring Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchellm and Nathanial Thompson
• The Making of Evil Under the Sun
• Radio Spots
• Trailer
• Trailer Gallery:
• Murder on the Orient Express
• Death on the Nile
• Endless Night
• The Mirror Crack’d
• Ordeal by Innocence
• Ten Little Indians

After one decent Miss Marple Christie film, Guy Hamilton would find better success with Peter Ustinov returning as Poirot in Evil Under the Sun. It’s a more lavish production, the cast is bigger and more eclectic, and the mystery is a bigger, more tantalizing brain teaser. It’s just a better film than The Mirror Crack’d. Sure, it’s possibly not as good as Murder on the Orient Express or Death on the Nile, but even against those stacked odds, this film succeeds marvelously. Plus, those Cole Porter tunes give this whodunit a flavor all its own. Kino Lorber Studio Classics delivers the same excellent new Dolby Vision 4K transfer from StudioCanal, offering a rich 2160p upgrade. The audio package is rock solid, but the bonus features are a bit thin, and that’s the only real reason to consider importing the UK set. All on its own, this set is still a worthy upgrade over previous disc releases here in the States. Highly Recommended