• Location: Cala d’en Monjo (Cala Fornells)
• Title: Evil Under the Sun
• Year: 1982
• Director: Guy Hamilton
• Main cast: Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith, Jane Birkin
• The natural gem Caló d’en Monjo, the natural set for an Agatha Christie plot

This is one of the most pristine and cinematic spots in Calvià. Caló d’en Monjo is a U-shaped natural gem, surrounded by mid-height cliffs and a lush pine forest that extends right to the pebble and rocky shore. This privileged setting, now part of a hiking route from Cala Fornells, captivated director Guy Hamilton (known for directing four iconic James Bond films) in 1982, who eventually settled in Mallorca after retiring.

Filming: From Mallorca to the Adriatic

Although Agatha Christie’s novel is set on an exclusive Adriatic island, the production team chose this location to film the exterior shots of Daphne Castle’s luxurious hotel (played by Maggie Smith).

In these scenes, the Caló d’en Monjo serves as the natural entrance to the island. While the panoramic views of the island seen in the film are of Dragonera, it is here, in these crystal-clear waters and under these pine trees, that the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Peter Ustinov) attempts to solve the murder of the frivolous actress Arlena Stuart.

The film boasts a cast of legendary stars, including Jane Birkin, James Mason, and Diana Rigg. The plot begins when actress Arlena Stuart is found strangled on a secluded beach. Poirot discovers that all the hotel guests had reasons to hate her, but all present seemingly airtight alibis. The detective will have to use his ingenuity to unravel the enigma in this paradisiacal setting.

The Caló d’en Monjo is notable for its connection to the world of cinema. Located on the border between Calvià and Andratx, it is one of the municipality’s two officially nudist beaches, along with Playa del Mago beach. Dominating Caló d’en Monjo, on the border with Andratx, stood a 1952 building designed by architect Joaquín Izquierdo Sancho and developed by Roberto Merlín, which would gain international fame in 1982. The house, with its rectangular floor plan and symmetrical design, featuring a large porch opening onto the cove, was the main setting for “Evil Under the Sun.” An attempt was made to renovate the house in 1986, but since the intention was to rebuild it, permission could no longer be obtained, as it is located within a protected natural area of special interest where new construction is prohibited.