Ten Little Indians (1966)

Ten Little Indians: Enjoyably Second-Rate

Twenty years after Rene Clair's black comedy adaptation of Agatha Christie's masterful suspense story, "And Then There Were None," it was inevitable that a remake (using the story's American title) would be forthcoming. Director George Pollock, who had also recently helmed Margaret Rutherford's campy Ms. Marple film series, set forth to remake Clair's film for a new generation with decidedly different (perhaps cultish) tastes. Did he succeed? To some extent, Pollock makes good on adding fun updates to the basic story, but he also definitely missed the mark in other vital areas.

1. Casting the trio of Shirley Eaton as Ann (aka Vera Claythorne); Hugh O'Brian as Hugh (aka Phillip Lombard); and hip icon Fabian as Mike Raven (aka Anthony Marston) was obviously a nod to pop culture's sizeable demographic. Eaton and O'Brian share some decent romantic chemistry as the film's leads despite occasionally wooden acting. However, their performances are still far superior to Fabian's amateurish efforts. His obnoxious pop star is hardly missed after an abrupt exit.

The veteran British actors (Wilfrid Hyde-White as Judge Cannon; Dennis Price as Dr. Armstrong; Stanley Holloway as private eye William H. Blore; and Leo Genn as General Mandrake) provide intelligent but mostly drab performances. The emotionally unstable house servants (portrayed by Marianne Hoppe and Mario Adorf) give excellent support to the star players. As for Daliah Lavi, her entirely new character (a glamorous actress) just seems forcibly inserted into the macabre plot and is a mediocre substitute for the novel's self-righteous spinster, Emily Brent.
Overall Grade: B-

2. The locale switch from a stormy, isolated British island to a lavish Swiss Alps chalet doesn't make a lot of sense (if one follows the nursery rhyme). To compensate for this flaw, this version mostly ignores the rhyme's ominous premonitions, so the wintry exterior adapts well as U.N. Owen's sinister stage, particularly as a distinctive update from the original film.
Overall Grade: B

3. The logic police should have reviewed this script before filming commenced. For instance, there are two Americans and three Germans here, which makes U.N. Owen's choice of prey outside of England seem rather implausible. Further, a secret relationship in post-war Berlin is established between Leo Genn's General Mandrake and Lavi's conceited actress. The whole point of Christie's story is that eight of the British "Indians" are supposed to be complete strangers, so no one should have a motive. Hence, this film has its share of unnecessary gaffes in basic logic. Blame it on Hollywood, I suppose.
Overall Grade: C-

4. Pollock recycles much of the Clair film's dialogue, but here it lacks the charmingly playful sparks the original actors provided. For instance, at times, Dennis Price (as Dr. Armstrong) so flatly delivers his lines that it sounds like he is just reciting words from the script. Despite the mostly unremarkable new dialogue, Hugh O'Brian, however, still gets in a few good retorts such as telling off Stanley Holloway (as Blore) by angrily replying "Drop dead!" Pun intended, of course.
Overall Grade: B-

5. The film's black & white ambiance is certainly appropriate for a classic murder mystery, but the jazzy instrumental score seems too jarringly cheery at times for this storyline.
Overall Grade: C+

6. Lastly, unlike standard Christie adaptations, Pollock opts for a more grandiose (albeit bloodless) approach. The result is a mixed bag. For instance, two characters are shown graphically plunging to their deaths, and the effect is appropriately startling. Yet, another victim appears frozen in fear and simply waits to die (without any resistance), as the ominous murderer walks into an unlocked room (another logic gaffe) with poisonous syringe in hand. Subtlety apparently wasn't Pollock's forte.

The film also features a lengthy, unnecessary fistfight between the heroic Lombard and the violently paranoid butler. Despite some good stunt work between actors Hugh O'Brian and Mario Adorf, it simply looks out of place for the story, let alone in any Agatha Christie work.
Overall Grade: C-
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Pollock's competent remake lacks the original film's tongue-in-cheek charm, but, in all fairness, the 1945 film at least had the element of surprise. With remakes, adding surprises only emphasize that they are just gimmicks, such as this film's campy "whodunit? break" just before the finale. You simply have to see it to believe it; it's that abrupt. Yet, I can't think of another movie that has ever tried this same gimmick (and probably with good reason).

Nonetheless, "Ten Little Indians" certainly remains entertaining enough to deserve rediscovery by today's mystery buffs. If you purchase the DVD, please keep some reasonable expectations, and the movie will make a nice investment of your time on some wintry night with the lights out, a beverage, and a bowl of popcorn.

Final Grade: B- September 15, 2008

Great Classic Mystery

I first saw this on television, and was thrilled when it came out on DVD. The movie is a bit dated, but the mystery is great (it is based on Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None"), the acting fun and even the music suits the picture and classic feel.

I highly recommend this movie to people who love mysteries or classic movies.

A side note: Christie converted the novel into a play and altered the ending - the play's ending, rather than the novel's, is used in this movie. June 5, 2008

A very good movie, although the changes.

It's a very good movie from a very good story. But they changed some details, including the end of the story. From who don't like changes, it's a bad choice. But from the ones who think it's acceptable, it's a perfect choice. February 8, 2008

DVD Black and White "Ten Little Indians"

We absolutely loved this movie in its orginial version. I would recommend it to anyone who has a love of the classics. I also bought "And Then There Were None" and found that to be just as good. November 1, 2007

10 Little Indians

I liked the movie a lot. I did not find anything wrong with the sound or the color. This is a great " whodunit". September 27, 2007

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