"Murder on the Orient Express"
A Review by Ryan Kohler
As my English Composition instructor commented recently, "Agatha Christie is the coolest mystery writer ever." This is true with her books; however, in many cases, film adaptions of her books have, in a word, sucked. An exception is "Murder on the Orient Express," a luxurious, quick-paced throwback to a different kind of time and place.
Made in 1974, "Orient Express" was directed by Sidney Lumet (known more for gritty, urban pictures like "Dog Day Afternoon" and "Serpico.") In Lumet's capable hands the film takes the viewer back to 1935 as the famed Orient Express travels from Istanbul to Calais, France. Midway through the trip a shady businessman, Ratchett (Richard Widmark), is murdered in his sleep. Master Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney, in the best incarnation of the character ever) is faced with the daunting task of discovering who is the murderer(s).
Shot with an all-star cast, including Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Sir John Geilgud, and Lauren Bacall, among others, this film makes for a very entertaining time. All the actors do well in their roles, especially Bergman (who won an Oscar for this role) and Bacall. Only Anthony Perkins is a sore point--his character recalls too much of the personable side of Norman Bates to be effective here.
Best of the performances is, naturally, Finney. He imbibes Poirot with a fastidious, lively approach. At once bouncy and charismatic, Finney's Poirot is not one-dimensional. The high-point of the film, and of Finney's portrayal, is when Poirot announces his solution to the murder. Basically twenty minutes of just Poirot talking, Finney delivers a tour-de-force performance at this crucial juncture.
Paul Dehn's screenplay brims over with wit and sarcasm, with many good lines going to Bacall and Finney. Richard Rodney Bennett's score is throwback to another time as he uses strings and the piano to a thrilling effect. Tony Walton's glorious period costumes and the set design of the train is almost, quite simply put, amazing.
"Murder on the Orient Express" is a brilliantly shot film. Cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth shoots almost everything in a brightly lit frame, giving all the actors a glowing aura about them. He also manages to pull off an outstanding camera feat as the train first pulls out of the station in Istanbul--combined with Bennett's score it must be seen and heard to be believed.
There is just so much to recommend in this film. Everything seems to come off without a hitch. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy "Murder on the Orient Express." Movies just are not made like this anymore.
"Murder on the Orient Express" (1974). Directed by Sidney Lumet. Written by Paul Dehn, from the novel by Agatha Christie. Music by Richard Rodney Bennett. With Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, Anthony Perkins, Michael York, and many other big name stars. Distributed by Paramount. Running time: 127 minutes. Rated PG. AVAILABLE ON HOME VIDEO.
Rating (out of a 4.0 cumulative average): 4.0
--- 5 April 1998
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