Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar

Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar
Poster
Written byTom Dalton
Directed bySam Yates
StarringLyndsey Marshal
Jonah Hauer-King
Stanley Townsend
Jack Deam
Katherine Kingsley
Music byOliver Coates
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersTom Dalton
Carol Harding
CinematographyCatherine Goldschmidt
EditorAnna Dick
Running time95 mins.
Production companiesDarlow Smithson Productions
Factual Fiction
Original release
NetworkChannel 5
Release15 December 2019 (2019-12-15)

Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar is a 2019 British alternative history television drama film about crime writer Agatha Christie becoming embroiled in a real-life murder case during a trip to an archaeological dig in Iraq following her divorce. The film premiered on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom on 15 December 2019.[1] Filming took place in Malta and was directed by Sam Yates. Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar premiered in the United States on PBS on 18 May 2021.[2]

Plot

In 1928, following her divorce and struggling with fame and success, Agatha Christie travels to Iraq and is caught in a web of murder, intrigue and love. Two years after the public drama caused by her 11-day disappearance, Agatha arrives in Baghdad seeking culture and peace. Instead she finds an attractive young archaeologist with a bullet wound; and the famous crime writer must unravel a series of mysterious murders.

Cast

Production

The film was created by husband and wife team Tom and Emily Dalton who also created Agatha and the Truth of Murder which was Channel 5's most watched festive programme of 2018.[4] This was shot in Malta, back-to-back with Agatha and the Midnight Murders.

Reception

Described as "quite a treat" by Michael Hogan in The Daily Telegraph,[5] The Times wrote that "what it lacked in unexpected twists and depth it made up for in nostalgic comfort-blanketry and good, clean murder".[6]

References

  1. ^ "When is Agatha and The Curse of Ishtar on TV? What is it about? Is it a true story?". Radio Times. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ^ Langer, Danielle. Uncover the Truth in Three New Murder Mystery Films Streaming TVMeg.News, accessed 16 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Filming begins on Channel 5 drama Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar". October 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Channel 5 delivers best ever ABC1 ratings in 2018". advanced-television.com.
  5. ^ "Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar review - A cut-price Christie for Christmas is still quite a treat". www.telegraph.co.uk.
  6. ^ Midgley, Carol. "Agatha and the Curse of Ishtar review — how Mrs Christie found romance under the sun" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.