Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Movie Lover

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient ExpressThis is one of the best mystery movies. November 12, 2008

"Expressively Yours"

Of all the big-production Agatha Christie Murder Movies, this is to my mind, the best. We are drawn in by the exotic scenery and the stellar cast. It is rich in texture and a true beauty. September 20, 2008

My favorite movie to watch on a rainy day...

Don't ask me why. I think a gloomy rainy day makes the movie feel spookier. I love love love this movie. I've never gotten into any of the other Poirot movies, so to me this is the one and only. I adore Albert Finney as Poirot. I know there's been some discussion about his accent, but honestly I don't know if I even know what a Belgian accent even sounds like to begin with so it doesn't bother me.

The opening scene where you see the kidnapping taking place still spooks me. Sometimes I even fast forward through it a little, just because the music creeps me out. I think the cast of this movie is brilliant. Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, etc. All Hollywood legends. I particularly like Vanessa Redgrave in this. She was so good at being evasive and batting her eyes at the same time. Like in the scene where Poirot is getting frustrated with her and begins yelling, I almost want to slap her. She's that good. Everyone is just fantastic in this. I really like the story itself too. Revenge, yet for a noble reason. I won't say anymore than that, though. The ending where the murder is explained is chilling. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to settle in on a cold or stormy night and just be entertained. September 9, 2008

A Visually Beautiful, Clever, Well-Acted, and Faithful Adaptation

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is an impressive movie. Well-acted, beautifully shot and lit, and with a sharp tongued script and stunning sets, it is a masterpiece, much like the genius book by Agatha Christie is considered today.

The story follows detective Hercule Poirot (a heavily accented Albert Finney) as he has to solve the murder of Mr. Ratchett (Richard Widmark) on the infamous Orient Express. Among the suspects are: loquacious Mrs. Hubbard (Lauren Bacall), Bible-toting Swede Greta Ohlsson (Ingrid Bergman), Colonel Arbuthnot (Sean Connery), his lover Miss Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave), and conductor Pierre Michel (Jean-Pierre Michel). Along for the ride are a Dr. Constantine and Poirot's old friend Bianchi (Marin Balsam). Each of the 12 passengers has secrets and lies, but the big question is: whodunit?

The best thing about the film is the look. The train itself is created wonderfully and realistically, and the sets of the cars are simply gorgeous. And if this film didn't win an Oscar for cinematography, it very well should have. This film is shot in, back then, an unconventional manner including now common swing-shots, rotating cameras, and several flashback scenes that look unique every time, due to different lighting and angles. The lighting, likewise, is inspired, and while I don't usually pay attention to things like that when I see a move, this time I couldn't help but noticing. In addition, the score by Richard Rodney Bennett is lush and memorable.

The actors do a great job. Finney can be hard to understand, but Lauren Bacall is my favorite as the chatter-mouthed, annoying American Hubbard. Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for her role, and though she is good, she obviously didn't deserve it, as she's only in 2 or 3 scenes and is hardly Oscar-worthy in them. I also enjoyed Redgrave as Debenham, Cassel as the French conductor, and Widmark in his brief role as the murdered Mr. Ratchett who is, like all else, more than he seems.

The movie is great. It could have benefitted from a faster pace, but that's about all I have against it. It's memorable and intriguing even today, more than 30 years after it was made.
September 5, 2008

All star cast and a brilliant whodunnit

Sean Connery, Oscar winner Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, Lauren Bacall, Michael York, Albert Finney...the list goes on. Set in a vintage time and place there is an unmatched opulence to the sets. Coupled with a Christie plot that has you guessing to the last and a surprise ending, this is an evening's entertainment worth adding to your video library. July 23, 2008

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