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Actors: Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Murder on the Orient Express (1974) |
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This is a classy if not terribly subtle 1974 British production (with American director Sydney Lumet at the helm) of the 1934 Agatha Christie novel. Millionaire Ratchett (Richard Widmark) is riding the famed Orient Express from Istanbul to Paris when he is found dead, stabbed 12 times. Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Finney) is on the same train, and he has plenty of time to question all the other passengers at the behest of the railroad's detective Bianchi (Martin Balsam) when the train gets stopped by heavy snow. Among the potential suspects are Ratchett's butler Beddoes (John Gielgud), his secretary Hector McQueen (Anthony Perkins), the Countess Andrenyi (Jacqueline Bissett), and many others played by Connery, Bacall, Wendy Hiller, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael York. Ingrid Bergman received an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role as a pinched Swedish missionary who is questioned by Poirot in one continuous take, lasting nearly five minutes. Hammy and entertaining.
--David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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A classic Agatha Christie mystery brought to the screen. A murder occurs on the famous 'Orient Express', and Hercule Poirot, supersleuth, sets out to find the culprit before the train reaches its destination. This film features some great performances, from such talents as Lauren Bacall and John Gielgud, and the whole piece is delivered in great style.
--Soph, Resident Scholar
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This is the classic Agatha Christie film. It made the novel on which it is based famous, with not only the baffling solution, but also Poirot's treatment of the guilty party. Made in 1974, but set in 1930s, this tells the story of the Orient Express being caught in a snowdrift, and the murder of a brutal child-mrderer and Kidnapper Samuel Ratchett. The all star cast includes Albert Finney as POIROT and Lauren Bacall as Mrs. Hubboard. The kidnapping and murder part is based on a real event - Chas Lingburgh Jr. One of the best films in creation... Ever! Watch it!!!
--Bert , Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Murder on the Orient Express (1974) |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Movie
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 66.7%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
How difficult to spot villain?
- Challenging
Time/Era of Movie:
- 1930's-1950's
Murder Mystery?
Yes
What % of story relates directly
to the mystery, not the subplot?
- nearly 100%
Murders of set profession?
- criminals
Kind of mystery?
- skilled citizen investigator
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- private investigator
Age:
- 60's-90's
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair style
- short/standard straight (man)
Body type
- fat (man)
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- white/grey
Hair style
- (man) short/standard straight
Body type
- average build (man)
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- British
Main Adversary
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 90%-100%
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Setting
Europe
Yes
European country:
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- England/UK
- France
Misc setting
- moving train
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately messy visuals of dead
How many deaths in film?
- 1
How much use of techno gadgets?
- 1 (None)
Kind of violence:
- knives
Unusual forms of death
- perforation--swords/knives
Non-American film?
Yes
What language?
- English
Subtitles?
- No
Any profanity?
- Occasional swearing
Is this movie based on a
- book
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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