Before the will can be read, Emily Boynton (Piper Laurie) blackmailed the family lawyer, Jefferson Cope (David Soul) into using an older will that gave her complete control over the estate. She was the 2nd Mrs. Boynton and step-mother to all but one of the Boynton children, all of whom were adults. They mostly knew there had been a new will but could not prove it. Soon afterwards, the family went on a world tour and everyone pondered how to kill Emily Boynton. On a cruise from Trieste to the Levant, the family revealed all unwittingly in earshot of the eminent Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov).
While on a day trip to an archeological site in Palestine, Mrs. Boynton was discovered to be dead! Poirot quickly deduced that it was murder! But who could it be?
Was it Lennox Boynton (Nicholas Guest), the oldest of the Boynton children who was forced to live with his step-mother despite being married?
Could it be Nadine Boynton (Carrie Fisher), Lennox's wife? She was Mrs. Boynton's nurse and had met Lennox by way of that occupation. She was tired of her oppressive mother-in-law.
Maybe it was Jefferson Cope the lawyer who was having an affair with Nadine.
Perhaps Raymond Boynton (John Terlesky) killed her so he could run off with Dr. Sarah King (Jenny Seagrove). Speaking of Dr. King, maybe she killed the old bat to clear the way to marrying Raymond.
Then there is Carol Boynton (Valerie Richards), who had plotted with Raymond while on the cruise ship.
Of course, there is no reason at all to suspect Lady Westholme (Lauren Bacall) who just happened to be on the same trip and has an alarming amount of screen time for a character with no link to the plot. Really, it is a complete mystery why she is even included. What possible motive could she have?
The story is half-baked but the scenery is great and the acting passable. The cast is impressive. In addition to the above, John Gielgud played the local military commander, Colonel Carbury, Hayley Mills appeared as an archeologist.
Just okay. Fun to see Ustinov in his final appearance as Poirot.
