The Agatha Christie Collection - Vintage Classics 4K UHD (UK Import)

Alrighty, by now, if you’ve struggled your way through some of my reviews, especially some of my older and poorly proofread ones, you’ll know that I am a big fan of the Whodunnit. As a reader and a film fan, I love the tantalizing prospect of a good mystery. Who is the killer? How did they do it? How are they going to try and get away with it? I want to sit back and be entertained just as much as I want to dig into the tiny details and try and solve the case myself. A good Whodunit will keep you guessing on multiple fronts all the way until the big reveal, and if you watch/read through again, all of that evidence laid out will line up perfectly. A decent or mediocre Whodunit might let the killer’s identity be an obvious call, but the fun is figuring out how they pulled off the dastardly deed. An outright bad Whodunit will be so obvious that the audience will be twenty minutes ahead of our detective, leaving nothing exciting or interesting. 

While I wouldn’t call every Agatha Christie novel a winner, she did have a couple of duds in her exhaustive archive, but the vast majority of her works are tantalizing, murderously entertaining brain-tinglers. Now, a number of her stories have been made into films (some multiple times), each with varying degrees of success. This is a touchy topic because among the fans, any of these films or television series is going to have its share of defenders and detractors, especially depending on who is playing Poirot or Marple. But within the four-film The Agatha Christie Collection, we have some of the best adaptations that reinvigorated the Whodunit sub-genre in the 1970s and 1980s. And if you don't consider them to be the best, they’re at the very least incredibly entertaining. 

Now, because we’ve covered all of these films previously, I’ll simply link back to those reviews momentarily. As I said before, I’m a fan of the Whodunit, and these specific adaptations of Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, The Mirror Crack’d, and Evil Under the Sun are four of my favorite Christie films. Each deviates slightly from its respective literary origins, but I think they’re each bang-up productions with impressive casts. 

1. Murder on the Orient Express Blu-ray Review
2. Murder on the Orient Express KLSC 4K UHD review
3. Death on the Nile Blu-ray Review
4. The Mirror Crack’d Blu-ray Review
5. Evil Under the Sun Blu-ray Review 

Vital Disc Stats: The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray 

StudioCanal throws us into a four-film box of murder with The Agatha Christie Collection on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. Before getting into the nitty-gritty stuff, I just want to say how much I love the original art on this packaging by W$YK. It’s new, but it’s richly thematically appropriate to each film, evoking that decadent era of Christie’s greats. Each film is pressed on a BD100 disc with its own themed art deco-styled digipak case. Also included in the set are reproductions of this magnificent original art, as well as a 64-page booklet with an introduction by Christie’s great-grandson, James Prichard. The booklet features essays for each film, photos, and a full gallery of poster art. The whole package is held together in a rigid hard stock slipcase. Each disc loads to a language menu before arriving at a static-image main menu with standard navigation options. 

Now, every once in a while, when we get review copies, we’ll see some interesting swag items pop up, like a t-shirt or badly tasting themed candy. I got some of the worst beef jerky I've ever tasted once. We don’t report on this because it’s usually a “that’s kinda cool, but so what?” sort of item, also it looks like bragging. However, this is some next-level stuff. We received four film-themed hand fans that are very cool to look at. But the wildest thing I’ve ever seen come our way is a complete Agatha Christie portrait cross-stitch pattern kit, complete with yarn, needle, the works! Between a couple of poorly-healed broken knuckles, I’m not sure if my fingers are dexterous enough these days, but I’m going to give this my best shot. It's too wild not to at least try! 

Murder on the Orient Express
StudioCanal 4K

KLSC 4K

At face value, the transfer for this disc appears to be sourced from the same elements as those supplied by Paramount to Kino Lorber Studio Classics for their 4K UHD release, but there are a couple of differences. Most notably, this presentation has been slightly reframed to 1.70:1 versus 1.85:1. Now, this is apparently what StudioCanal did for their previous Blu-ray release compared to what we got here in the United States. From the little information I was able to dig up, it apparently appeared this way theatrically in Europe - but that might be more of an anecdotal note than a fact. As I’m more used to seeing the film in 1.85:1, it was something of a surprise, but I found it to be a rather pleasant experience. That slightly pillarboxed appearance made the train's confined space feel even tighter and more claustrophobic while also offering more image information at the top and bottom of the screen. See here:

Regardless of framing, I see no discernible difference in overall details or the Dolby Vision grade. While doing the required disc flippies, I noticed no difference in color timing, shadows, black levels, or anything else. What I did notice was that this disc has a slightly better encoding with a bitrate that runs anywhere from 15mbps to 40mbps higher than the KLSC disc. Given the highly stylized, intentionally softer photography, details are only modestly refined. What stood out to me, especially during the opening sequence, the film grain was a bit tighter and better rendered for that stylized montage. So there are some modest improvements, there are some differences between releases, but I wouldn’t say enough to sway the needle any higher than I rated the KLSC disc. 4.5/5 

Death on the Nile

This film, like the rest of the box set, opens with a title card explaining the restoration process, so I don’t need to speculate that this Dolby Vision 1.85:1 transfer is sourced from a new 4K 16-BIT scan by Silver Salt Restoration - UK from the original 35mm negative. And boy, is it beautiful. I was impressed with the 2K restoration StudioCanal delivered and KLSC used for their disc, but I guess they felt they had more work to do! Fine details are so cleanly rendered with a nicely natural cinematic veneer of film grain, and there are moments that look like they were shot yesterday. The first time we see Peter Ustinov’s Poirot in Egypt, the close-up is so clear and lifelike that it was startling to see that big, round head on my screen! Where the previous Blu-ray was a notable upgrade over my vastly inferior older DVDs, this transfer takes all of that work and refines it further. The Dolby Vision grade doesn’t drastically overhaul the color scheme but gives primaries a little more life and heft. Skin tones are naturally human and healthy without looking too peached or pink. Black levels are nice and deep, and with the extra attention for shadowy spaces, that sense of three-dimensional depth is immediately noticeable. A truly lavish travel film, I am still in awe that they got to film at the pyramids and other locations, so it’s a highlight to see these monuments in such detail. I can’t see things getting better for this one. 5/5 

The Mirror Crack’d

Following suit with Death on the Nile, we have the same title-card stating the same stats for the restoration effort by Silver Salt Restoration. And like Death on the Nile, we have another excellent 1.85:1 2160p Dolby Vision transfer to enjoy. Now, this film isn’t as lavish or exotic as the other three films in this set, but it’s often a very good-looking feature. The quiet English countryside depicted here has never looked better. Going in, I was a tad worried that the extra resolution would betray some of the makeup work done to make Lansbury appear older, but it holds tight. StudioCanal did that great 2K restoration, and this new effort is another fine example of what a little bit of time and new technology can provide for physical media fans. As I write this, I find I’m repeating a number of points I just mentioned for Death on the Nile: details are sharper, cleaner, with a more tightly rendered veneer of film grain. The Dolby Vision pass isn’t overly aggressive - the color timing appears on point with strong primaries and healthy skin tones. Black levels are strong; we certainly get our share of deep, dark shadows for several sequences. The black-and-white fake movie opening also looks pretty damned impressive for the few moments we enjoy that wannabe Whodunit feature. 4.5/5

Evil Under the Sun

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. 5/5

Murder on the Orient Express 
For this release, we have what sounds to be the same DTS-HD MA 5.1 track with an LPCM 2.0 mono track handling the original theatrical audio. Similar to how I felt with the KLSC disc, I would defend the 5.1 mix as a pleasant listening option. But watching through with this LPCM track, this is the one I’d put on top. Listening back through during my disc flippies, I didn’t notice anything particularly different in terms of element placement between the LPCM 2.0 and the DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix of the KLSC disc. Usually, replaying key scenes like that, you can notice if a sound effect comes in differently or if a voice is pitched differently, but I didn’t feel that. What stood out to me was that this LPCM 2.0 track felt a little more present, with overall levels stronger from the outset. I noticed that when I’d flip the discs, I’d want to raise the KLSC disc volume up a bit, and then do the reverse for this Studiocanal disc. Otherwise, both tracks are clean, clear, and right on point for what they’re aiming to deliver. 

Death on the Nile, The Mirror Crack’d, Evil Under the Sun

I’m lumping these three films together because, more or less, I found myself writing the same notes as I watched through these movies again. Each of these films is presented with an LPCM 2.0 mono track with no 5.1 mix. Which isn’t a loss of any kind, in my opinion. Doing the same sort of disc flippies with my older KLSC Blu-rays that were encoded for DTS-HD MA, I didn’t notice any difference in element placement or the like. Similar to what I experienced with Murder on the Orient Express and the LPCM 2.0 tracks, I did feel the need to raise the volume a little every time I flipped to the KLSC disc in DTS-HD MA. So the benefit here, I’d say, is that the levels are overall stronger and the audio feels a little more present at the outset.

The dialog for each film is clean and clear, without issue. Each film has a great score to enjoy. Nino Rota delivered a fittingly exotic and adventurous tune for Death on the Nile. John Cameron brought a nice piece of plucky-but-atmospheric work for The Mirror Crack’d. But there’s just something wonderfully appropriate about Evil Under the Sun’s use of jazzy orchestral arrangements of Cole Porter tunes that makes for an amazing film soundtrack.

Well, we have ourselves quite the load of extras to dive into! Now, some of these extras appeared here in the States before, others were exclusive to the EU StudioCanal discs, and then we have some new materials to expand the selection. At the top of the pile, each film carries over the excellent audio commentary tracks with Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson - all four are informative and very entertaining listens. We also see new interviews with Jacqueline Bisset and Emily Hone for their respective films. We also pick up a couple of new video essays and a very fun look at the history of Miss Marple with some notable mystery luminaries. But as I mentioned, many of these extras weren’t carried over to the domestic Blu-rays from KLSC, so I got to pick through a lot of new material for the first time. For this entire set, after commentaries, you’re looking at over five hours of great extra features - and that’s before you read the 64-page booklet! 

Murder on the Orient Express - 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary featuring Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson 
• NEW Interview with Jacqueline Bisset (HD 16:25)
• Interview with Richard Goodwin (HD 18:18)
• Agatha Christie: A Portrait (SD 9:36)
• Making ‘Murder on the Orient Express’: All Aboard (SD 13:48)
• Making ‘Murder on the Orient Express’: The Ride (SD 12:05)
• Making ‘Murder on the Orient Express’: The Passengers (SD 9:14)
• Making ‘Murder on the Orient Express’: The End of the Line (SD 13:23)
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Original Trailer 

Death on the Nile - 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary featuring Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson
• NEW Sparkling Homicide: A Video Essay by David Cairns (HD 17:40)
• Making Of (HD 23:30)
• Interview with Angela Lansbury (HD 6:36)
• Interview with Costume Designer Anthony Powell (HD 20:39)
• Interview with Producer Richard Goodwin (HD 11:22)
• Interview with Peter Ustinov (SD 8:45)
• Interview with Jane Birkin (SD 4:16)
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Costume Designs Gallery
• Original Trailer 

The Mirror Crack’d - 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary featuring Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson
• NEW Reflections on Miss Marple: Featuring Jean Kwok, Rian Johnson, Matthew Sweet, and Mark Ladridge (HD 18:46)
• Interview with Screenwriter Barry Sandler (HD 14:48)
• Interview with Angela Lansbury (HD 5:42)
• Interview with Richard Goodwin (HD 9:52)
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery 
• Storyboards Gallery
• Trailer
• TV Spots

Evil Under the Sun - 4K UHD

• Audio Commentary featuring Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell, and Nathaniel Thompson
• NEW Back to the Island: Emily Hone Remembers Evil Under the Sun (HD 12:14
• NEW Excessive Creatures: A Video Essay by David Cairns (HD 17:53)
• Making of Featurette (SD 15:16)
• Interview with Costume Designer Anthony Powell (HD 7:52)
• Interview with Screenwriter Barry Sandler (HD 8:11)
• Interview with Richard Goodwin (HD 6:19)
• The Royal Film Performance 1982 (SD 6:00)
• Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
• Costume Designs Gallery
• Original Trailer
• Radio Spots

There used to be a great marketing phrase way back when the novels were coming out or being reprinted en masse: “A Christie for Christmas.” Meaning you’d buy that avid reader in your life a new Agatha Christie novel for Christmas because it was a sure-fire hit present. Who could possibly be upset at the prospect of a few hours of quality entertainment, right? Well, what StudioCanal UK has done with this set is give physical media fans four Christies in 4K in time for Christmas (or any other important holiday, for that matter). The Agatha Christie Collection is a magnificent effort - four great, highly entertaining murder mysteries that look better than ever, sound fantastic, and are loaded with bonus features. Each film scores with lovely Dolby Vision transfers, with the original audio, and the new artwork is very slick and appealing for the shelf. Now you can get these films individually, so if you're not in for all of them, you can snag your favorites. But if you’re a fan of all, the box set is your best all-around value. We’ve had some great disc releases this year, some true gems, but this set is among my favorites. If you’re a fan of Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, The Mirror Crack’d, and Evil Under the Sun - it doesn’t get much better than this. My little gray cells are calling this a Must Own.

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