Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

When mystery movies are done correctly, you get movies like 1974’s Murder on the Orient Express, based off the novel of the same title by famed mystery author, Agatha Christie. When it comes to her works being adapted to the silver screen, Christie is known for being harsh on those adaptations. In fact, this is only one of two adaptations she saw that she gave her begrudging approval with the other being Witness for the Prosecution. The movie is worth watching for a variety of reasons. Sidney Lumet’s expert direction, the large ensemble of bankable actors (all whom have their moment to shine), Paul Dehn’s script allowing an incredible amount of tension and suspense to build, and just the fact that the source material is a great whodunit mystery with a great ending and a heroic lead character. Despite the large cast, there are only really two settings: the train and the platform. I would generally suggest a large cast being fitted into two locations for a two-hour and then some movie would hinder the movie, but it clearly does not in this one case.

It’s 1935 and the famed Orient Express is booked to full capacity. One of these passengers is the well-known Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney). The detective with the large, swirling mustache is in need to travel back to London and was able to book passage thanks to one of his friends and director of the train, Signor Bianchi (Martin Balsam). Several of the passengers feel uneased about his presence, including one American who asks for his protection. Later on in the journey, the American turns up dead, apparently murdered. When the body is discovered, the train is stopped because of heavy snow, which leaves Poirot plenty of time to solve the case. Poirot interviews the passengers, who gladly seem to help him. However, it turns out the murdered American had a very dark secret involving a dead baby case. There is much evidence to be found on the train, which gives Poirot many clues to point him in the direction of the murderer.

I’m just going to rattle off the names of the cast and these names will speak for themselves. In addition to Albert Finney and Martin Balsam, there are: Sean Connery, Wendy Hiller, John Gielgud, Rachel Roberts, Anthony Perkins, Lauren Bacall, Richard Widmark, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset, Ingrid Bergman, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Vanessa Redgrave. These actors played various professions and ethnicities. Many of the actors overact here, but that is the point here. It’s great to see these stars really embellish their roles. Some standouts for me are Finney as Poirot. You can barely tell that Poirot is played by Finney because of the mustache and hair. Watching him scramble back and forth in the train cars is well worth the watch! Ingrid Bergman, who won an Oscar for her performance, was probably the best performance out of all the other passengers as Greta, an African missionary. She may not have much screentime, but she gave a worthy 5-minute monologue that many actors are often too scared to try. Sidney Lumet actually wanted to give Bergman a bigger role worthy of her name, but Bergman insisted to play this role which in turn allowed Lumet to give her that monologue. The other performances are great, but Finney and Bergman are the ones to really keep an eye on.

Sidney Lumet came to the public’s attention with the riveting 1957 drama 12 Angry Men (which also starred Martin Balsam), but he continued to show the public why he is one of cinema’s top directors. Directing this sort of film can easily break down a person, but Lumet did not let the pressure get to him. He had experience working with a big cast in limited settings (like he did with 12 Angry Men). He deliberately created an old-fashioned movie that uses the cast to its full potential. I also liked the visual techniques Lumet chose.

Overall, Murder on the Orient Express is my favorite Agatha Christie adaptation of all I have seen. Finney and Bergman lead the film in terms of characters. Also, Richard Rodney Bennett composed an evocative score that will leave you humming for a long time after the credits rolled. This movie is an old-fashioned mystery thriller that finishes with a complete bang. The film runs a little long, but there is no feeling like being tensed up for two straight hours!

My Grade: A-