Agatha is a 1979 British drama thriller film directed by Michael Apted and starring Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman and Timothy Dalton.

The film was released 9 February 1979, receiving generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the production values and performances.

The film opens as Agatha Christie gets a silver cup engraved for her husband Archie, who receives the gift with utter disdain.

The press flock to the accident scene and learn that Christie left a letter for her secretary, prompting speculation of suicide.

In the lounge, another guest, Evelyn Crawley, notices Agatha's ripped stockings and muddy shoes.

Several members of the cast were upset with script changes made once production had begun, with Hoffman even suing the studio for $66 million, claiming breach of contract; the outcome of the lawsuit is not known.

Flying Scotsman is now preserved at the National Railway Museum in York, and operates tourist and excursion trains on the mainline.

[6] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four, and told readers that the relationship between Christie and the American journalist "isn't real.

"[9] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune awarded three-and-a-half stars out of four, and wrote that "the film's principal pleasure is watching two of our finest actors disappear into their characters.

Her Christie is a high-strung, bright, old-worldly, beautiful, fragile national treasure ... Hoffman, an acting chameleon to rival Laurence Olivier, is perfect as an American dandy.

"[10] Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called the film "an impeccable period piece" and "a delight throughout", marred only by a song over the closing credits "of thudding inappropriateness".

[11] Pauline Kael of The New Yorker wrote that "Vanessa Redgrave endows Agatha Christie with the oddness of genius", but the filmmakers "haven't come up with enough for their sorrowful, swanlike lady to do".

[12] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post stated, "A beautiful production and several adept performers, notably Dustin Hoffman in one of the most winning portrayals of his career, make 'Agatha' a surprisingly glamorous, intoxicating entertainment.

But there is still insufficient weight to the character, and Dustin Hoffman's reporter, who falls in love on the job in the old Hollywood tradition, proves even wispier.