Murder by Death
Performance & Direction: Murder by Death Review
Last updated: February 18, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Murder by Death (1976) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Comedy is often anchored by its ensemble, and Murder by Death features a noteworthy lineup led by Truman Capote . Supported by the likes of Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: Murder by Death
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1976, Murder by Death is a Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Thriller film directed by Robert Moore. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Truman Capote.
Story Breakdown
The comedic structure relies on both situational humor and character-based comedy. Lionel Twain invites the world's five greatest detectives to a 'dinner and murder'. Included are a blind butler, a deaf-mute maid, screams, spinning rooms, secret passages, false identities and more plot turns and twists than are decently allowed. The production finds humor in relatable situations while maintaining narrative momentum. The jokes serve the story, with callbacks that reward attentive viewers.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening establishes the comedic tone and introduces the central conflict through humor and character quirks.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Truman Capote's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The comedic climax ties together recurring jokes and character arcs, delivering both laughs and emotional satisfaction.
Ending Explained: Murder by Death
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Robert Moore, Murder by Death resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to comedy resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes involving Truman Capote, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the comedy themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Murder by Death reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Murder by Death Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Murder by Death incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a comedy, crime, mystery, thriller film directed by Robert Moore, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement for Truman Capote's character.
Historical Context
The film balances historical fidelity with cinematic storytelling. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
The production demonstrates respect for its source material, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: Murder by Death adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch Murder by Death?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Truman Capote or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
Box Office Collection: Murder by Death
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $32.5M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Top Cast: Murder by Death
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Where to Watch Murder by Death Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Apple TV Store
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Apple TV StoreMurder by Death Parents Guide & Age Rating
1976 AdvisoryWondering about Murder by Death age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Murder by Death is 94 minutes (1h 34m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, Murder by Death is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1976 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Murder by Death worth watching?
Murder by Death is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Murder by Death parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Murder by Death identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Murder by Death?
The total duration of Murder by Death is 94 minutes, which is approximately 1h 34m long.
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How Murder by Death Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Murder by Death
A playful parody chock full of casual cruelty, misogyny, ableism, and racism. There is sincerely funny stuff here, but you’ll need to sit through a _lot_ of junk to see it.
A movie from a time when people were not so easily offended. Lots of fun humor and laughs to be had if you sit back and enjoy the movie for what it is, a comedy from the 70s.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
