Watch Murder in Three Acts

In the movie “Murder in Three Acts”, Hercule Poirot (played by Peter Ustinov) is invited to attend a party at a luxurious villa on the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. The host of the party, wealthy and arrogant film star Charles Cartwright (played by Tony Curtis), has been receiving threatening letters, which he believes are from his ex-wife who is attending the party with her new lover. During the party, a murder occurs and Poirot is called upon to solve the case.

The film is based on the Agatha Christie novel “Three Act Tragedy”, and the screenplay was written by Scott Swanton. The film was directed by Gary Nelson and produced by Peter Snell. “Murder in Three Acts” was released in 1986 and received mixed reviews.

The movie begins with the arrival of Poirot at the luxurious villa. He quickly becomes acquainted with the various guests, including Charles Cartwright and his ex-wife Elsa (played by Diana Muldaur), famous Broadway producer Sir Charles (played by James Coco), art dealer Sven Hjerson (played by Nicol Williamson), retired doctor Dr. Strange (played by Tony Mathews), and socialite Hermione Lytton Gore (played by Emma Samms). Poirot is immediately drawn to the group and their intriguing personalities, but soon becomes suspicious of their motives and relationships with each other.

As the party continues, tensions rise and secrets are revealed. Charles’s ex-wife Elsa and her new lover argue in public, and tensions between Charles and Hermione boil over. Later, Charles is found dead after drinking a cocktail that was poisoned with the deadly South American plant, curare.

Poirot is immediately called upon to use his famous “little grey cells” to solve the mystery. With the help of his friend, retired Scotland Yard Inspector James Japp (played by Jonathan Cecil), Poirot begins to piece together the clues and motives of the guests. He soon discovers that each of the guests has a plausible motive for wanting Charles dead.

Throughout the film, Poirot uses his exceptional observational and deductive skills to uncover the truth behind the murder. He questions each guest and uncovers secrets and lies that shed light on the killer’s identity. As the investigation progresses, Poirot’s suspicions point in one direction, but as always, there are several red herrings that keep the audience guessing until the very end.

The film is a classic whodunit story, set in the opulent world of the rich and famous. The murder mystery is complex and engaging, and the characters are intriguing and well-developed. Peter Ustinov is exceptional as Poirot, portraying the Belgian detective with the perfect combination of intellect, eccentricity, and humor.

Tony Curtis gives a memorable performance as Charles Cartwright, the arrogant and charismatic film star. Emma Samms is charming as the socialite Hermione Lytton Gore, and Diana Muldaur is convincing as Charles’s enigmatic ex-wife Elsa. Nicol Williamson is appropriately suspicious as the art dealer Sven, and James Coco is entertaining as the Broadway producer Sir Charles.

Overall, “Murder in Three Acts” is a well-crafted and engaging mystery that will keep audiences guessing until the very end. With its superb cast and intricate plot, this film is a must-see for fans of Agatha Christie and classic murder mysteries.

Murder in Three Acts is a 1986 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.