Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Just the name "Orient Express" conjures images of a bygone era. Add an all-star cast (including Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, and Lauren Bacall, to name a few) and Agatha Christie's delicious plot and how can you go wrong? Particularly if you add in Albert Finney as Christie's delightfully persnickety sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Someone has knocked off nasty Richard Widmark on this train trip and, to Poirot's puzzlement, everyone seems to have a motive--just the setup for a terrific whodunit. Though it seems like an ensemble film, director Sidney Lumet gives each of his stars their own solo and each makes the most of it. Bergman went so far as to win an Oscar for her role. But the real scene-stealer is the ever-reliable Finney as the eccentric detective who never misses a trick. --Marshall Fine Amazon.com essential video

Not the best Christie adaptation

Murder on the Orient Express is the first Christie novel I read, and I believe it is the best Christie novel ever... After reading almost all Poirot books and seeing all Hercule Poirot adaptations(starring David Suchet), I think Albert Finney had none of the characteristics of Poirot. He is not well dressed, he is not clever, he is not anything that Poirot was...I think Finney and the director should have read some of Christie novels.
For the movie, I should say that the cast is superb, scenes are very good for its time.
Overall; I am no movie critic, but there were few thing good about this movie and they were spoiled by Albert Finney... November 27, 2008

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

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