DEATH ON THE NILE - Secrets from the Script
If
‘The Sound of Music’ is the ultimate movie musical then ‘Death on the Nile’ is
the quintessential whodunit.
DEATH ON THE NILE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM STUDIO CANAL.
What is not to love about the original film adaption, Death on the Nile? However, like most film so many pieces end up being film and removed for timing, for continuity or for other many reasons. There are five drafts of the screenplay that I know of, in this case we’ll look at the Third Draft (undated) by Anthony Shaffer, so let’s blow away the dust and sand and play archaeologists and see what we’ve been missing.
Hopefully, this will inspire a future release deluxe edition with lost footage and outtakes.
*SPOILER WARNING*
The script denotes the year as being 1930.
There were originally more scenes of the village and its occupants as Linette drives through. A scene outside a butcher’s shop where two women discuss Linette being the richest girl in the world with her fortune being made by the chewing gum industry. Another scene inside a pub where it’s discussed Linette being a strong-willed woman, followed by a husband and wife gardening commentating on Linette.
Following Linette arriving at Wode Hall, Linette requests to see the progress made on the grounds. The scene is longer (and we know was filmed due to photos on set.) Linnette is disdained that the topiaries haven’t been cut down and why some small cottages are still on the grounds. Barnstable tries to reason with her to no avail. Thraxted (an under Butler) arrives to announce Jacqueline is waiting inside the hall.
The discussion between Jacqueline and Linette plays as per the film.
Following the introduction scene with Andrew Pennington there was a small scene at William Charmichael’s Law Office in London which introduced the character of Colonel Race and his need to go to Egypt. Following the Colonel Race scene we have another deleted scene introducing the characters of Salome Otterbourne and her daughter Rosalie. They discuss the “nymphomaniacal baboon” and Rosalie suggests they settle rather than go to court. Following the Otterbourne's introduction we move to Mrs van Schuyler and Miss Bowers scenes.
Instead of Jacqueline being described by Linette as a “kangaroo in heat” she referred to as a “Redpole cow on roller skates”.
The scene inside the Cataract Hotel is the same as is the talk between Hercule Pirot and Jacqueline. There are no sweeping differences until everyone boards the Karnak.
There are a few more discussions with Dr Bessner, Mrs Otterbourne and Rosalie discussing cabin preferences with the Manager of the Karnak.
With the Karnak underway we now see each of the passengers in their staterooms; Louise is plucking her eyebrows; Mrs (sic) Bowers doing callisthenics; Rosalie lying on her bed in a state of dejection; Dr Bessner gargling; Ferguson drinking tea; Pirot unpacking; Colonel Race ironing; Pennington reading legal documents; Mrs Otterbourne drinking gin; Mrs van Scuyler impatiently pushing a service bell and Linette & Simon's room is empty.
The Karnak approaches the Nile bank and Linette and Simon climb steps to the Tomb of Seti. The come across Dr Bessner who offers some facts from his guide book. They then head back to the Karnak.
Mrs van Scuyler has a smaller exchange with Linette over her pearls before Miss Bowers taking her to her cabin. Mrs Otterbourne has her scene with Linette. The script then follows the events that are seen in the film.
The next change in the script is as follows; at the Temple of Karnak as Dr Bessner exchanges dialogue with Linette she mentions she has to go to the Colossus of Memnon later that afternoon. Dr Bessner still mentions the vocal statue.
Simon and Linette arrive at the Colossi of Memnon and follow more-or-less the same script from the film.
MORE TO COME
Death on the Nile was produced by John Brabourne and Richard Goodwin with a screenplay by Anthony Shaffer from the novel by Agatha Christie.
Directed by John Guillerman
DEATH ON THE NILE IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM STUDIO CANAL.
What is not to love about the original film adaption, Death on the Nile? However, like most film so many pieces end up being film and removed for timing, for continuity or for other many reasons. There are five drafts of the screenplay that I know of, in this case we’ll look at the Third Draft (undated) by Anthony Shaffer, so let’s blow away the dust and sand and play archaeologists and see what we’ve been missing.
Hopefully, this will inspire a future release deluxe edition with lost footage and outtakes.
*SPOILER WARNING*
The script denotes the year as being 1930.
There were originally more scenes of the village and its occupants as Linette drives through. A scene outside a butcher’s shop where two women discuss Linette being the richest girl in the world with her fortune being made by the chewing gum industry. Another scene inside a pub where it’s discussed Linette being a strong-willed woman, followed by a husband and wife gardening commentating on Linette.
Following Linette arriving at Wode Hall, Linette requests to see the progress made on the grounds. The scene is longer (and we know was filmed due to photos on set.) Linnette is disdained that the topiaries haven’t been cut down and why some small cottages are still on the grounds. Barnstable tries to reason with her to no avail. Thraxted (an under Butler) arrives to announce Jacqueline is waiting inside the hall.
The discussion between Jacqueline and Linette plays as per the film.
Following the introduction scene with Andrew Pennington there was a small scene at William Charmichael’s Law Office in London which introduced the character of Colonel Race and his need to go to Egypt. Following the Colonel Race scene we have another deleted scene introducing the characters of Salome Otterbourne and her daughter Rosalie. They discuss the “nymphomaniacal baboon” and Rosalie suggests they settle rather than go to court. Following the Otterbourne's introduction we move to Mrs van Schuyler and Miss Bowers scenes.
Instead of Jacqueline being described by Linette as a “kangaroo in heat” she referred to as a “Redpole cow on roller skates”.
The scene inside the Cataract Hotel is the same as is the talk between Hercule Pirot and Jacqueline. There are no sweeping differences until everyone boards the Karnak.
There are a few more discussions with Dr Bessner, Mrs Otterbourne and Rosalie discussing cabin preferences with the Manager of the Karnak.
With the Karnak underway we now see each of the passengers in their staterooms; Louise is plucking her eyebrows; Mrs (sic) Bowers doing callisthenics; Rosalie lying on her bed in a state of dejection; Dr Bessner gargling; Ferguson drinking tea; Pirot unpacking; Colonel Race ironing; Pennington reading legal documents; Mrs Otterbourne drinking gin; Mrs van Scuyler impatiently pushing a service bell and Linette & Simon's room is empty.
The Karnak approaches the Nile bank and Linette and Simon climb steps to the Tomb of Seti. The come across Dr Bessner who offers some facts from his guide book. They then head back to the Karnak.
Mrs van Scuyler has a smaller exchange with Linette over her pearls before Miss Bowers taking her to her cabin. Mrs Otterbourne has her scene with Linette. The script then follows the events that are seen in the film.
The next change in the script is as follows; at the Temple of Karnak as Dr Bessner exchanges dialogue with Linette she mentions she has to go to the Colossus of Memnon later that afternoon. Dr Bessner still mentions the vocal statue.
Simon and Linette arrive at the Colossi of Memnon and follow more-or-less the same script from the film.
MORE TO COME
