Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express Reviews

• Superb cast in deluxe, restored edition of DVD

  
  By AQP1VPK16SVWM on 2004-09-16
  Agatha Christie's mysteries changed the genre. With twists, turns and credible watertight plotting her novels divorced themselves from the hackneyed conventions of the genre. Sidney Lumet's superb film of Christie's novel looks marvelous on this deluxe DVD from Paramount. The rich, colorful cinematographer of Geoffrey Unsworth ("2001: A Space Odyssey") looks terrific. Lumet's assured hand guides the film without hesitation to a truly stunning conclusion. Paramount has remastered the soundtrack for Dolby Digital 5.1 giving the sound a richer feel than previous video editions of the movie. While it doesn't quite convey the detail one might hear in a brand new movie, it does a great job of improving an already great mystery movie.
  
  After working on a case, Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) travels home on the Orient Express hoping for a relaxing journey. Instead, when the train is caught in the show he's drawn into a mystery on the very train he's traveling on. A millionaire named Ratchett (Richard Widmark) has been brutally murdered. Who could the murderer be and what was his or her motive? Poirot must work this out and discover which of the train's passengers committed the crime. He discovers an unusual link between the millionaire and many of the passengers on the train. Is this the vital link that will help him solve the crime?
  
  Featuring a stellar all cast of Hollywood and London stage and screen veterans, "Murder on the Orient Express" chugs along on the charm of the performers, a solid script by Paul Dehn ("The Spy Who Came in the Cold", "Goldfinger", "Beneath the Planet of the Apes") and outstanding direction by Sidney Lumet ("The Verdict", "Deathtrap", "Network", "Prince of the City"). The casting is a bit unusual. While Albert Finney probably wouldn't be most fan's first choice for Poirot, he gives a marvelous performance as Agatha Christie's detective. I've read reviews criticizng Finney's performance and, while he may not be the "ideal" Poirot his interpretation is unique and works perfectly for this film.
  
  I'm pleasantly surprised that Paramount has sprung for all the extras here. We get a documentary that can be viewed all at once or by segments. The documentary features interviews with Sidney Lumet, producers John Brabourne, Sean Connery, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael York, Richard Goodwin, writer-director Nicholas Meyer ("Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn", The Seven Percent Solution) and the grandson of Agatha Christie discussing the hard road to producing the film. Evidently, Christie reluctantly agreed to give the rights to the film to the producers at first but was won over when she found out that producer Brabourne had worked on "Tales of Beatrix Potter". Lumet comments on the difficulty in having Finney play Poirot as he was too young for the role (Alec Guinness and Paul Scofield were Lumet's first and second choices). The marvels of make up helped sell Finney in the role and the fact that he played against audience expectations worked for him in the role. Lumet recounts a funny story where the cast got together to read the script together the first time couldn't hear the cast. Why? Because the stage actors were in awe of the theater actors and vice versa. Lumet's challenge was honing an acting style that was consistent between all the very different performers. "Murder" is one of those few mysteries that live up to its potential despite considerable odds against it doing so. It's clear that the cast respect and love Lumet-how else to explain Connery, Bisset and York agreeing to appear in a documentary on the making of the film for the DVD? There's also a discussion of the real life inspiration for part of the story-the Lindbergh kidnapping. Another marvelous documentary by the talented Laurent Bouzereau, his work has become the standard against which all other writer/producer/directors of extras on DVDs should be measured. His work here as on "Duel", "E.T." and other DVDs continues the tradition of digging up the past to enlighten those of us who couldn't possibly have been there.
  
  "Agatha Christie: A Portrait" gives us insight into the mysterious life of the elusive novelist. We're also told almost as much about her most famous creation Poirot who appears almost as elusive as the novelist herself. This eight minute featurette puts a human face on a remarkable mystery novelist who helped reinvent the genre. We also get the original theatrical trailer which demonstrates how much work went into restoring and transferring this beautifully shot film. Smudged with loads of analog blemishes, the comparison between the trailer and the film indicates the great work that went into improving this film for DVD. There's no commentary track but Lumet's insightful observations in the documentary more than make up for the lack of such a track.
  
  Beautifully restored with enhanced sound, "Murder on the Orient Express" probably didn't look this good when it showed in theaters in 1974. The outstanding international cast of screen and stage veterans along with Dehn's sharp adaptation and Lumet's assured direction makes "Murder" one of the best films made from one of Christie's convoluted mystery novels. It's a joy to watch.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Excellent whodunnit with a surprising twist

  
  By A1HX00DL0SZM1G on 2004-07-31
  To me the definitive Hercule Poirot will always be Peter Ustinov, but in 1974 Albert Finney tackled the role in this excellent adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name and the movie continues to this day as one of my very favorite whodunnit's - thank goodness it is finally making its way to DVD.
  Starring a cast that is simply incredible this movie set the standard for the Ustinov star studded movies that would follow (starting with 1978's DEATH ON THE NILE). Included on the list of stars are such names as Sean Connery, Jacqueline Bisset, Sir John Gielgud, Richard Widmark, Vanessa Redgrave, Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Perkins.
  Aboard the Orient Express a businessman (played by Widmark) with a mysterious past is murdered in the middle of the night. Desperate to resolve the matter before they arrive at the next major stop on the line (to avoid a lengthy police investigation) Hercule Poirot is persuaded by an executive for the train company to begin his own investigation. An avalanche over the line gives Poirot plenty of time to interview all the passengers and make his conclusions as to the guilty party (or parties).
  When Finney's Poirot faces off with the fellow passengers and describes his account of how the murder was committed and by whom you will be amazed - astounded. It's this very element and the star power of this movie that carries this intriguing mystery far above the standard whodunnit fare.
  The movie is well plotted, the acting beyond reproach and the direction steady and inspired. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is a triumph in every respect, and when you consider it takes it's story from the worlds most read and respected mystery author it's not difficult to see why.
  
  

• Elegant, stylish murder mystery...

  
  By on 1999-09-02
  ...but turn on the closed captioning, because as one reviewer pointed out Albert Finney's heavy accent and often garbled speech could try anyone's comprehension, not to mention patience. But Finney is still excellent, though he falls short of David Suchet, who is the quintessential Hercule Poirot.

  But enough about that. They rarely make films this lavishly entertaining anymore. "Murder on the Orient Express" is visually striking to say the least; the Orient Express and its various set pieces are magnificently rendered, and at no small expense either. The all-star cast is impressive; from Lauren Bacall's scene-stealing American chatterbox to Anthony Perkins' disturbing, PSYCHO-reminiscent secretary, the cast list adds emphasis to the idea of the house-party whodunit. The film is, essentially, a Hollywood party on a grand scale.

  Although the film is sluggish at times and the unraveling of Agatha Christie's labyrinthine plot doesn't work as well on the screen as it does on paper, this is still great fun, the perfect Saturday night movie for viewers who like a dose of wit and intelligence with their entertainment.
  
  

• On the Whole, Excellent

  
  By on 2003-12-12
  This classic 1974 film is, for the most part, an excellent adaptation of Agatha Christie's most famous novel, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, which stars Hercule Poirot as the ingenious yet slightly egotistical little Belgian detective. The cast is filled with distinguished actors: Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, Dame Wendy Hiller, Lauren Bacall, Michael York, Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery, Richard Widmark, and many more. I must state right away that I don't care for Finney's interpretation of Poirot. Perhaps I am simply biased, having been "brought up" on David Suchet's refined, humorous, yet never ridiculous characterization, which strikes me as definitive. The rest of the actors play their parts to perfection. Particular standouts for me include Martin Balsam as Poirot's Italian friend, Bianchi (Balsam's Italian accent is wonderful; one would never guess that the actor was in fact Jewish and from The Bronx) and Sir John Gielgud, very witty as the murdered man's butler (!) Anthony Perkins is outstanding as the murdererd man's secretary, a more sympathetic Norman Bates. Sidney Lumet's direction is, of course, beyond criticism. The elegant yet cramped atmosphere of the train is ideally conveyed, while such sequences as the opening, the discovery of the murder victim, and the flashback-reenactment of the murder are stunningly effective. You should watch this if you want to see a filmed version of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. However, I would suggest also watching any of the "Poirot" episodes to experience David Suchet's interpretation of the title character.
  
  

• Finney looks like a stuffed flounder imitating HITLER

  
  By A2743BNCIMN9PL on 2005-01-06
  I don't think anyone can do justice to Poirot like David Suchet. I've seen a few actors attempt it but they come off looking silly. Finney is probably the worse, wheezing through his lines with the worse Belgian accent I've ever heard. He looks like a stuffed flounder doing an impression of Hitler. Whoever did the makeup and costumes obviously didn't read any of Agatha Christie's Poirot novels. Suchet owns the role!! Finney is just there for the yuks.
  
  
• Can't imagine a worse Poirot
  By A2BK7KRO9DTLVE on 2005-05-20
  I was totally repulsed by Albert Finney in the role of Poirot. He had absolutely none of the characteristics of Christie's Poirot...none. Did the director ever read a Christie? Finney brought no dignity to the role at all. All I could think of during the movie was how inappropriate the casting of Poirot was. I even began to dread every appearence of Finney!!
  
  About the rest of the movie: So many good actors...so little direction. Too much earnestness brought into the role resulted in quite a bit of over-acting. Particularly from Wendy Hiller (Princess Dratwhatshername and from one of my favorite actresses Ingrid Bergmann. Even Sean could do with better direction.
  
  I stuck with the movie because it was a Christie. A waste of 2 good hours.
  
  
• Albert Finney is really really LOUSY
  By A1NGV9M102S7U on 2005-01-07
  "Murder on the Orient Express," is one of my favorite Poirot books. The movie would have been terrific if not for Sidney Lumet and Albert Finney. Just WHO was Finney playing?? Sure as heck wasn't Poirot. Christie's Poirot was intelligent, impeccably dressed and had a crack-shot brain. Finney is brainless and clueless. The real murderer here is Hollywood. The DOA figure is Poirot.
  
  
• Can't wait...
  By A12X2J7AVZ04IQ on 2004-07-04
  "Murder on the Orient Express" probably had the most intense production values as any film in 1974. The period detail was exquisite and the ensemble cast was stellar, all put into perspective by the brilliant Sidney Lumet. 1974 saw "Godfather II" and "Chinatown", wonderful in their own right. Can't argue too much about comparisons, but the editing in "Orient" is a true work of art, shifting its time-frame constantly. The viewer always knows everything, but really knows nothing. Albert Finney is a terrific Hercule, and the whole ensemble cast was great! Ingrid Bergman won the Oscar for this, but I thought Rachel Roberts was the best of all. So VERY classy, and so very grisly... all done with aplomb by a brilliant cast and America's own, very underrated great director, Mr. Lumet. Don't forget, Lumet did the original "12 Angry Men" in the 50's, as well as "Long Day's Journey Into Night". The man has control. Experience it!
  
  
• Approved by Agatha Christie
  By AOJHG92Q6MS9D on 2001-04-25
  Having read the book many times I've come to know its complexities well enough. Albert Finney embodied Poirot from top to bottem so much so that all other portrails pale by comparison. Even the remarkable work of David Suchet cannot touch Finney. Poirot is an eccentric ego-ist who is also one of the most intelligent characters ever created and Finney captures his qualities perfectly. The rest of the cast is equally superb! With an interational cast of Vanessa Redgrave, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Wendy Hiller, Sean Connery, Richard Widmark, Jean-Pierre Cassel etc. one wonders why all of them were not nominated for Oscars. The entire film is a work of art from the production design to the costumes, make-up and music. All these elements under the direction of Sidney Lumet are kept flowing swifty so that you have to rewind over and over till you catch all the nuances. The book can be a bit confusing and plodding despite the wonderful prose but the film clears away any clutter and solidifies the story. Yes the film changes some names and some early locations but it also clarifies some plot points particularly the Armstrong case. Agatha Christie saw this version of her story brought to life on screen and approved of it. This film will delight the viewer with each repeated playing to the point that after a while you're going to have to get another tape the old one will become so worn!
  
  
• Retains its charm.
  By A3CG6YLYZJXQG4 on 2002-05-29
  Even after all these years, Murder on the Orient Express holds up. It's got stellar performances from Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall and Wendy Hiller, and only slightly less impressive ones from most of the rest of the cast. The look is just too 1930s retro chic for words, and the balance between comedy and drama is deft. If you're looking for a film to sink down into like a big, comfy sofa, look no further.
  
  
• Paging Mr. Lucas...
  By A1D2C0WDCSHUWZ on 2000-08-01
  I never thought I'd rate a Poirot film only 4 stars. But though this film is exquisite, there is one problem: Albert Finney. This man is simply not meant to play Poirot. His gravelly voice combined with a rather bad accent result in him being incomprehensible in some scenes. Also, Poirot shouting at a woman? Poirot making those hand gestures? Poirot laughing in a rather loony manner-THAT loudly? No...

  The cast other than that is superb, a joy to watch. The murder scene is honestly the most chilling one that I have ever seen, and the backstory for the movie is shown at the beginning without a word, only photos and newspaper clippings. This director did it RIGHT.

  This is the quintessential murder mystery, with such characters as the Jeevesian manservant, the Ugly American Salesman, the Perpetually-Talking Lady, the Sinister Businessman, the Rich Old Lady, the Heavily-Accented Italian, the Governess, the Indian Colonel, and so on.

  If only someone could call George Lucas and have him digitally insert David Suchet into this film, I would rate it stars into infinity!
  
  

• High expectations
  By A1DL0XVELM9BEG on 2001-07-04
  I had intentionally not read this book because I wanted to be able to watch the movie without spoiling it and to avoid the inevitable disappointment with the way a movie mangles a book. I was excited to finally be able to watch this. I very much wanted to be pleased and overwhelmed by this movie because I was led to believe it was WONDERFUL!! I WAS overwhelmed, but I was not pleased.

  The cast was definitely star studded - it seemed that every star available was in this. The setting / props were gorgeous. So why 1 star? Albert Finney as Poirot was horrible - you could not understand a single word he said - we constantly rewound but were still unable to understand his garbled mockery of a foreign accent. Some of the other characters had the same problem though not nearly as bad. What is the point of spending all that money on a movie the audience can not understand or follow? I'm not comparing Albert Finney to David Suchet, I don't think that is fair or appropriate (different times, different budgets, etc) to do this.

  I was excited to watch this movie and I had great expectations, but within 15 minutes, I was disgusted and the only reason I continued to the end was because I forced mysself to - "I looked forward to this so much, I'm going to finish it even if it stinks" idea.

  I'm sorry, but I don't see how any one could give this movie anything but a bad rating if they are being honest. Agatha Christie, Poirot, and a wonderful cast and set do not automatically equate to a great movie.
  
  

• Truly mystified by this heinous blot on careers of most involved.
  By A3NA3B6RT97J51 on 2006-01-05
  What was good about this film: the opening sequence, which was quite creepy and effective. Also Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, and the guy who played the porter weren't too bad. Gielgud was really good.
  
  What was bad about this movie: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Bisset, the guy who played her creepy sex-changed husband, dreadful fake-Italian company director guy, Anthony Perkins, the Princess, and everyone else. Also the Cinematograpy, Editing, Continuity, Acting, Script, Direction, Costumes, Set Decoration, foreign accents, Music, were all really, really, totally ridiculously awful.
  
  
• A Classy Whodunit
  By A1345VRK5MYG7 on 2001-04-07
  Murder on the Orient Express is one of Agatha Christie's most famous stories, and in this film it is brought to life by an amazing cast. Businessman Richard Widmark is found dead with multiple stab wounds while aboard the famous train, and it's up to passenger and detective extraordinaire Hercule Poirot, played by Albert Finney, to solve the crime while everyone waits for the tracks to be uncovered from fallen snow. Surprisingly, my only criticism of the film is the lead performance by Finney, which is mannered, difficult to understand at times, and not at all what I picture Poirot as being like, having read a number of Christie's books. The rest of the cast is terrific, with special praise going to Ingrid Bergman and Wendy Hiller. The final scenes of revelation are very well done, and whether or not you already know the story and solution to the crime, I think you will find this movie to be very entertaining.
  
  
• Classic Mystery Comes To Life On Screen
  By A10RJ73FK600DJ on 2001-11-24
  One of Agatha Christie's best novels has been transformed into perhaps the best feature film based on her works. Of the six I have seen, only the 1945 version of "And Then There Were None" rivals this one.

  After a newsreel style montage descrbing a kidnapping, based on the Lindbergh case, which is backstory for the film, we open in Istanbul. A group of passengers board the famous Orient Express for a journey across Europe to Calais. On board, among others, are a railway executive, Bianchi, and his friend Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian (don't call him French) detective. Also on board are an American businessman, Mr. Ratchett, and his secretary and valet, as well as about 10 other passengers. One night, the train is forced to stop by a snowstorm, and the next morning, Mr. Ratchett is discovered murdered in his berth. Bianchi persuades Poirot to determine who has killed him, and the real story begins...

  As Poirot, Albert Finney is the center of this film. While his Poirot may be jarring to those used to David Suchet in the BBC series--Finney is far more animated, even histrionic--he nevertheless conveys the character's intellect, and his ego, quite ably. Finney is superb in the extended final scene, where Poirot reconstructs the murder.

  The supporting cast is glittering, and generally very strong. Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, although her role is actually fairly small. Lauren Bacall has the meatiest role aside from Poirot, and she is in splendid form. Vanessa Redgrave, despite having only minimal dialogue, makes a very strong impression, while John Gielgud and Wendy Hiller are nearly as fine. Only Anthony Perkins, somewhat miscast and stammering through his lines, and Michael York, whose accent, ostensibly Hungarian, comes and goes, fall short of the high standards of their costars.

  Richard Rodney Bennet's score is very nice, and well matched to the action, and the opening scenes, before the action closes in on the snowed-in train, are visually beautiful. While the pace may be a bit slow for those accustomed to action films in the "Lethal Weapon" style, I encourage everyone to give "Murder on the Orient Express" a try.
  
  

• Still one of the most stylish who-dun-its
  By AP0DQSDFSLP4P on 2003-01-23
  Nearly 30 years after its release, the star-studded "Murder on the Orient Express" remains one the the best of the big screen's adaptations of Agatha Christie's works. Confined to the fabled train with the richest of the ultra-privileged class and trapped by a mammoth snow drift, everyone comes under suspicion when a self-described businessman (Richard Widmark) who turns out to be the mastermind of a child kidnapping that ends in murder of the child, is himself murdered (who can ignore the obvious similarity to the Lindbergh baby kidnapping?). Everyone in the all-star cast comes under suspicion, from Lauren Bacall as a character intended to scrape the nerves raw, to Ingrid Bergman in an Oscar-winning supporting role, to the breathtakingly beautiful Jacqueline Bissett, to Anthony Perkins, the late Sir John Geilgud and a magestic Wendy Hiller. But Albert Finney, as celebrated investigator Hercule Peroit, is amazing. True to Christie form, we come to a totally unexpected solution and resolution that doesn't deter us from watching this film time and again. Lavishly produced and rich in scenery, we actually get a sense of being trapped on the motionless train wondering who of our fellow passengers did the dirty deed, which is what makes this film so enjoyable with every viewing. More satisfying is that the viewer won't feel cheated by an ending that one critic at the time dismissed as "too easy." That aside, it's little wonder the film was an Academy favorite in multiple nominations.
  
  
• "...there are too many clues in this room..."
  By A18RQ2URRGIIEA on 2004-07-03
  Thirty years ago in 1974, Sidney Lumet (who is known for directing "Network" in 1976, "Serpico" in 1973 and "Death Trap" in 1982) directed a murder-mystery film based upon the 1934 novel "Murder on the Orient Express" (a.k.a. "Murder in the Calais Coach"). The novel was written by the famous murder-mystery author Agatha Christie (1890-1976) and was the ninth book in the series that featured her famous fictional detective named Hercule Poirot. The Orient Express began service in 1883 as a passenger rail service between Paris and Venice. An additional southern route (known as the Simplon Orient Express) was started in 1919 that ran from Paris to Istanbul that also passed through Venice. It is upon the Simplon Orient Express that Agatha Christie placed the location for her novel.

  The 1974 film adaptation included an all-star cast, including the famous actor Albert Finney who played Hercule Poirot, for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. (Albert Finney has been nominated 4 times by the Academy for Best Actor and once for Best Supporing Actor, which was for his role as Ed Masry in the 2000 film "Erin Brockovich".) Poirot boards the Orient Express on his journey home after solving a murder case. On the train, in the sleeper cabin next to his is the millionaire businessman Mr. Ratchett (Richard Widmark), who is accompanied on the train by his secretary, Hector MacQueen (Anthony Perkins, 1932-1992), and his butler, Mr. Beddoes (Sir John Gielgud, 1904-2000). Other passengers on the train include the Countess Andrenyi (Jacqueline Bisset), Greta Ohlsson (Ingrid Bergman, 1915-1982), Mrs. Harriet Belinda Hubbard (Lauren Bacall), Colonel Arbuthnot (Sean Connery), Princess Dragomiroff (Wendy Hiller, 1912-2003), Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave), Hildegarde (Rachel Roberts, 1927-1980), Count Andrenyi (Michael York), Mr. Hardman (Colin Blakely, 1930-1987) and Signor Bianchi (Martin Balsam, 1914-1996). The conductor was Pierre Paul Michel (Jean-Pierre Cassel). One night with the train en route, Mr. Ratchett was murdered. When Poirot learns this, he begins an immediate investigation in the hopes of finding the murderer before the train reaches its next scheduled stop. As Poirot questions the passengers, he is amazed that many of them may share something in common from many years earlier. Tension on board mounts when the train becomes trapped following an avalanche covering the tracks ahead of it. Before the tracks can be cleared, can Poirot solve this very mysterious murder on board the Orient Express? You'll have to watch this very well made film to understand the mystery.

  In addition to Albert Finney's Oscar nomination for Best Actor, "Murder on the Orient Express" received four other nominations including Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay. Ingrid Bergman won her nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Overall, I rate this outstanding film with 5 out of 5 stars. It is a tribute to the great mystery and literary skills that Agatha Christie shared with the world in her many novels. I highly recommend the purchase of this film that is being released on DVD, which, thankfully, is in widescreen format.
  
  

• Great Movie - But FINNEY sucks!!!! as Poirot
  By A2O5NEF5F65NER on 2004-10-13
  The movie is great, the screen-play is wonderfull, the cast can`t be better and the mistery is great!!!! No problem.

  But,,,,,,, FINNEY!! Oh my good, his performence is terrible, very bad, sorry, but that is not the Poirot that Agatha Cristie mentioned in her books, cant understand a word he said, very very bad!!!! he was screaming all the time, not talking, screaming, pretending that he have no neck, lack of intelingent. That`s not Poirot. I have to say that Poirot is only one : DAVID SUCHET!!!!!!!!!! MR.DAVID SUCHET IS POIROT, that is , that all.

  Like i said before, the movie is Great!! But Finney ... very bad actor , at least playing Mr. Hercule Poirot.

  Two star because the movie is great, but i cant give 4 or 5 star when Finney didn`t made a good job playing Poirot.
  
  

• One to watch over and over
  By A23DTU9QACO2CT on 2005-06-29
  I first saw this as a teen in the mid-'70s. Now in my mid-forties, I can still sit down and watch this magnificent movie. And who cares about over-acting ... these are larger than life characters played by larger than life actors. I thought every performance was flawless. My mother loved this movie when she finally saw it, and my daughter is now hooked on it. Three gens of Agatha fans give this movie a solid 5 stars.
  
  
• Murder on the Orient Express
  By A1VQBHHXIKHIGS on 2006-08-28
  I read a little collection of Hercule Poirot short stories that I may have forgotten to review, but I've never read any of Agatha Christie's novels, and until now I'd never seen any of the movies. Yep, that's right. I'm old enough, too. How'd that happen?
  
  This one starts slow, but it has to. We have to meet a dozen or so people, then we have a murder, then all kinds of red herrings and such. Stay tuned. It gets wild. Regarding the many suspects, it helps that I knew over half of the actors/actresses on sight. This movie needed an all-star cast both for the talent and for audience recognition.
  
  (If you're weak on the recognition, we also have different accents and trademark hair/clothes/mannerisms/etc, but being able to tell the difference between Sean Connery and Michael York and Anthony Perkins doesn't hurt.)
  
  Albert Finney in his sole outing as Hercule Poirot. At first, I thought it was a terrible bit of miscasting. Later, I thought, "What a funny little man." And finally it sunk in. We're SUPPOSED to think he's a funny little man until he solves the damn crime. Bravo!
  
  There are other nagging little coincidences that I was willing to put aside in the interests of this neat little plot-driven mystery. Wrong! They're clues I missed because I was treating it as "only a mystery story." I don't know if all her books are that way, but this one damn sure is. She didn't make mistakes or create arbitrary coincidences.
  
  Basically, we meet some people. One gets killed, in a locked room on a train, with one of those chains that can only be attached from the inside, and it is attached. It's probably not a suicide, unless he was able to get drunk and take some sleepy stuff and then stab himself in the chest and guts a whole bunch of times.
  
  It seems unsolvable, and we have too damn many clues, and they somehow just make it seem even more unsolvable. Then Poirot explains the puzzle and we all say, "Holy freaking doodie caca!" because he's right. The clues were there but we missed them. Dang!
  
  The best mysteries do that, don't they? Plus, in this case, some insight into Poirot which explains why Agatha Christie chose this guy instead of an equally memorable character she'd created such as perhaps Miss Marple to solve this particular mystery. And the solution is a wild one. If you've never seen it, see it. She didn't write with movies in mind, but the marriage was quite natural.
  
  
  
• Elegant, Entertaining Murder Mystery
  By A3SLA4ADDSYZJ2 on 1999-12-27
  This film is faithful to the book, which is always a plus for Agatha Christie adaptions. The set and cast are excellent, with the plot moving at a brisk pace. Albert Finney is a good but hyper Hercule Poirot, Ingrid Bergman won an Oscar for her Bible beating Swedish maid, Lauren Bacall is an American motormouth, Sean Connery is a Colonel, and Anthony Perkins and Martin Balsam are brought together again (echoes of PSYCHO?). An odious man is murdered while the famed Orient Express is caught in a snowdrift, which means the murderer is still on board. As Poirot questions each of the passengers, her learns the shocking truth of the solution to the murder. Excellent.
  
  
• May be disappointing
  By AO80JEDFYS6MJ on 2004-06-13
  While the movie is a faithful adaptation of Agatha Christie's book, Albert Finney's portrayal of the quirky but brilliant Hercule Poirot is disappointing. Even those who are not familiar with David Suchet's interpretation will be disappointed if they have read many of the Poirot mysteries. Gone are most of Poirot's most obvious traits--his enormous vanity, his charm, his fastidiousness. If Albert Finney was familiar with Agatha Christie's character at all before the movie, it was only a very slight aquaintance.

  The rest of the cast is impeccable--Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Ingred Bergman--the list goes on and on. While some parts of the story have been changed, they are only slight changes and the movie remains true to the spirit and story of the book.
  
  

• Buy the Book
  By on 2001-01-06
  As a Christie fan from the ago of 10, I had immense hopes for this production. Stellar cast and crew, one of Christie's best stories and numerous accolades. I was perturbed within a few minutes of the opening sequence and horrified as the movie unfolded.

  There are a few good things to say; the "look" of the movie was superb. The first few minutes are taut, the locations, esp the Orient Express itself and the period costumes are flawless. Many of the telltale clues are sprinkled in quite subtly, so that perhaps a first time viewer may need a "Usual Suspects" type replay.

  However, the bad outweighed the good. I must be a bit of a purist in that I believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Why were names changed? Why Hamish vs. Robert? Paulette vs. Susanna? Beddoes vs. Masterman? Christie was one of the most brilliant name-givers in English writing, why change them? Even more disturbing was the complete shifting of character personalities. For some reason Anothony Perkins transformed his character into a "Psycho" style mother-obsessed neurotic. Mrs. Hubbard went from a stout comical mother into the lean and glaring Lauren Bacall. And the passionate Mary and Colonel were unrecognizable. The most upsetting character had to be Hercule Poirot. His garbled voice alternated between shouts and sarcasm leaving a most obnoxious character, and his stiff back made him look like he should be in the bell tower at Notre Dame. I guess am spoiled by the exquisite David Suchet and only hope that this excellent story is remade with him as our beloved Poirot.
  
  

• Overall good, but as for Finney's Poirot...mon dieu!
  By A2P49WD75WHAG5 on 2004-06-27
  One of Agatha Christie's most famous mysteries was adapted to the big screen in 1974, two years before the author died. Murder On The Orient Express was the first in a brief series of cinematic and TV movie Christie adaptations continuing with Death on The Nile, Evil Under The Sun, Easy To Kill, A Caribbean Mystery, The Mirror Crack'd, and Appointment With Death.

  Mr. Ratchett, an American businessman, tries to employ Poirot after he has been getting threatening letters. Poirot turns him down, and the following morning, he is found dead in bed from multiple stab wounds. Clearly, it was someone on the coach, but who? And before the murder, there was a lot of weird activity going on. Someone wearing a fancy nightgown knocks on Poirot's door. Ms. Hubbard calls the wagon-lit conductor and reports a man in her room.

  There then follows the usual Poirot method of questioning the suspects one by one, sifting out lies and clues, of which he notices there are too many, after speaking to them. Poirot discovers that Ratchett was the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Daisy Armstrong, a young girl who was ransomed and murdered despite the money being paid. But Daisy was not the only casualty. A maid was falsely blamed in collusion and committed suicide. Ms. Armstrong gave birth to a stillborn child and died later, and Colonel Armstrong ended up shooting himself.

  One of the key motifs of Christie mysteries and others was the use of flashbacks to accompany testimony of the people being interrogated, as well as the denouement, where in tried and true Christie fashion, Poirot gathers everyone in the room and tells them who did it, with scenes of what actually happened, something used in the later movie adaptations.

  Murder On The Orient Express boasts an all-star cast of the top draws at the time, Sean Connery (Colonel Arbuthnot), Vanessa Redgrave (Miss Debenheim), Jacqueline Bisset (Countess Andrenyi), and Anthony Perkins (Hector McQueen), as well as some old veterans such as Dame Wendy Hiller (Countess Dragomiroff), Martin Balsam (Mr. Bianchi), Richard Widmark (Ratchett), and George Coulouris (Doctor Constantine). Despite being more svelte than the character to the novel, Lauren Bacall is the strongest actress as Harriet Hubbard, and one who exasperates Poirot and the other passengers with her aggressive bossiness, although her character's name was Caroline Martha Hubbard in the novel. Ingrid Bergman won her third Oscar, albeit for Best Supporting Actress as the simple-minded Greta Ohlson.

  Some changes made in the movie is John Gielgud as the elderly and masterfully unflappable valet Biddoes. In the novel, it was Edward Masterman, who was 39 years old! And originally, Mr. Bianchi was a Monsieur Bouc, a fellow Belgian friend of Poirot. And the second set of interviews with the suspects is deleted from the movie. Other than that, I was surprised that the movie more of less followed the book.

  There is a splashy elegance to the whole thing. The music veers from the sumptuous glamorous orchestra to the eerie horror sounds given in the prologue and in the reenactment of the murder. However, the biggest debit is Albert Finney (Poirot), who doesn't fit Agatha Christie's famed dignified Belgian sleuth. He's tall, has a rough voice, laughs like he's on drugs, and looks more like a grotesque gargoyle than a calm and refined gentleman. A pity David Suchet wasn't born sooner, as Peter Ustinov's Poirot is only slightly better.
  
  

• A glorious tribute to Agatha Christie!
  By A16CZRQL23NOIW on 2004-07-30
  Sidney Lumet filmed this mistery and murder story with nuance and european taste of the highest level .
  Notice for instance, the unforgettable role of Albert Finey (nominated for this as best actor in that year) playing the most idiomatic Hercules Poirot ever made .
  Ingrid Bergman was outstanding and obviously she won the prize as best supporting actress .
  But the cast is really splendid . And I wonder seriously if you could get a similar cast at this moment .
  Think it just for a moment : the supreme and legendary Wendy Hiller , the lovely Jacqueline Bisset , the villain Richard Widmarck , Martin Balsam , Anthony Perkins , Vanessa Redgrave , Michael York and Sean Connery . A little hard to get it , don 't you ? .
  The masterful direction of Sidney Lumet and the unforgettable soundtrack (available on CD) could materialize this outstanding novel .
  You ' ll enjoy every little bit of this unforgettable movie .
  And watch for the ending sequence , plenty of imagination and supreme good taste .
  Besides Lumet knew to pay a sincere homagge to the train , emphasizing the romantic nosthalgy and everything it meant in the european society , the arresting images talk by themselves .
  This film , Godfather II , The conversation and Lenny were undoubtly the cream of the cream in 1974 .
  
  
• Lumet - Keeps the Audience Guessing Until the Final Scene...
  By A6ADO7B6FUVN on 2004-09-28
  Agatha Christie, the uncrowned queen of criminal detective novels, wrote Murder on the Orient Express in which a dozen characters are trapped in a train while rails are blocked-up with snow. The night before the train gets stuck in the snow, a man is murdered on the luxurious train. The murder leads to several questions that Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) has to face as he becomes the lead investigator. The major question is who onboard the train murdered the man and why?
  
  Sidney Lumet adapts the famous book by Christie with a dozen skilled cinematic stars including Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, and Anthony Hopkins to name a few. The infamous starlet Ingrid Bergman received an Oscar for the part of a Swedish missionary in the film. Lumet creates a thick atmosphere with dubious intrigue through experienced directing of the cast, sublime mise-en-scene, and skillful cinematography. This ends up being a good cinematic experience as the cast performs brilliantly, which keeps the audience guessing until the final scene.
  
  
  
• A PERFECT MOVIE--Good, clean fun!
  By A3AWCZQ76HN7AF on 2005-12-17
  I saw this movie for the first time a couple months ago. I was worried that it wouldn't be suitable for a family, but it's a wonderful mystery that won't dissappoint anyone!
  
  This is such an awesome film! The all-star cast brings Christie's plot to life. The cinematography of the train moving through Europe is breathtaking! The musical score is top-notch, and the ending is surprising!
  
  Murder on the Orient Express comes off as somewhat of a stage production, but it also feels completely real! It's the type of movie that makes you feel like a part of the story--you actually WANT to be on that train! I know this seems weird for a mystery movie, but Murder on the Orient Express is almost a "cozy" film. Though it has its scary moments, you always feel safe. It is also very clever and funny.
  
  Murder on the Orient Express is one of my favorite films! Watch it, you'll love it!
  
  
• True to the original material
  By A349MGZV85SZPH on 2006-04-26
  If you like the book, you will like this movie. Of course, movies are never quite as good as the book is, but if you account for that ahead of time, you will like this movie.
  
  
• Beautifully Realized: A Classic Of Its Kind
  By ACIBQ6BQ6AWEV on 2007-07-01
  In the early 1960s Agatha Christie (1890-1976) sold the film rights to several of her most celebrated novels--and although the public liked the ensuing films, she herself did not. She was forever after suspicious of the film industry and rejected one offer after another until the early 1970s, when Lord Louis Mountbatten interceded on behalf of son-in-law and film producer John Brabourne for the film rights to MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. Christie reluctantly agreed. In 1974, upon seeing the film, she declared it to be the ONLY film version of any of her novels that she liked.
  
  The story is famous. Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) is a celebrated private investigator traveling via the legendary Orient Express. The train is snowbound in the Balkans--and Mr. Rachett (Richard Widmark) is found brutally stabbed in the bed of his luxury room. At the request of Signor Bianchi (Martin Balsam), an official of the train, Poriot agrees to investigate the murder... but the more he learns from the numerous passengers, the more impossible the crime seems.
  
  Even today, most film versions of Christie novels are played with a bit of a twinkle in the eye, as if to say "this is all just in good fun." Not so MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. The all star cast includes John Gilegud, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Anthony Perkins, and Rachel Roberts, to name but the most obvious, and they play out the story with tremendous style but without the self-knowing cuteness that tends to undercut most similar films. The novel is among the more convoluted Christie works, but the Paul Dehn manages to encapsulate it without simplifying it. And then there is the look and sound and feel of the movie, which is simply amazing.
  
  The Orient Express had passed into legend by 1974, but this film returns the celebrated luxury train to sparkling reality. From costumes to art design, from cinematography to score, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is so richly detailed that it becomes an almost tactile experience. This is truly an example of "no expense spared." The film was nominated for no fewer than six Academy Awards, winning one for Ingrid Bergman, and was also nominated for no fewer than seventeen awards from other groups, winning at least six. All in all, it was one of the most celebrated films of its era.
  
  For many years MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS was only available in mediocre VHS and DVD transfers, but this particular edition not only returns the film to a near-pristine state, it includes several memorable bonuses as well, most especially a "making of" documentary that includes many of the cast members; a short documentary on Agatha Christie; and a short documentary on the Lindberg kidnapping, which was among Christie's inspirations for the novel. Slick, beautiful, and seductive, the 1974 MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS sets a standard for mystery movies that few have equaled--and none have surpassed. Strongly recommended.
  
  GFT, Amazon Reviewer
  
  
• AGATHA CHRISTIE's BEST
  By A36NW00607K49I on 2000-08-20
  This 2-tape movie is contagious, and well worn, here. Sharp dialogue, swift, and subtle clues that are planted right in front of your eyes. Traveling the Orient Express Train as a last moment plan, a common character with a superior mind, Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney), is forced into investigating a murder. But which mystery is more important, who was killed, why he was killed, or how and by whom?

  ADD: Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Richard Widmark, John Gielgud, Martin Balsam, Jacqueline Bisset, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Rachel Roberts, Michael York, and many others. The unbelievable is made real.
  
  

• Death on the Nile
• Evil Under the Sun
• And Then There Were None
• Murder by Death
• Clue