In December 1935, when his transcontinental luxury train is stranded by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before, with a m... Read allIn December 1935, when his transcontinental luxury train is stranded by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before, with a multitude of suspects.In December 1935, when his transcontinental luxury train is stranded by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before, with a multitude of suspects.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 10 wins & 17 nominations total
- Pierre Paul Michel
- (as Jean Pierre Cassel)
- Director
- Writers
- Agatha Christie
- Paul Dehn
- Anthony Shaffer(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn 1929, a westbound Orient Express train was stuck in snow for five days at Çerkezköy, approximately one hundred thirty kilometers (eighty-one miles) from Istanbul, Turkey. This incident inspired the setting of the book and movie.
- GoofsIn Istanbul a muezzin is heard giving the standard Muslim azan (call to prayer) in Arabic: "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!" However, the movie is set during the 1930s when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was in power. During this time, the Arabic azan was outlawed, and a Turkish one ("Tanri Uludur!") had to be used instead. After Atatürk's death in 1938, the law was repealed.
- Quotes
Foscarelli: Hey, what are you reading, Mister Beddoes?
Beddoes: I am reading "Love's Captive," by Mrs. Arabella Richardson.
Foscarelli: Is it about sex?
Beddoes: No, it's about 10:30, Mister Foscarelli.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Dumb Waiter (1979)
- SoundtracksOverture And Kidnapping
(uncredited)
Composed by Richard Rodney Bennett
Performed by Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (as Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden) conducted by Marcus Dods
The setting is Europe in the 1930's. The pace is slow and relaxed. And while the dialogue is in English, the film has a deliciously international flavor, with a mix of interesting accents and word pronunciations. Heavy on dialogue, the film never seems overly talky, the result of a clever screenplay and lush visuals. Humor is included in the script usually in the form of tasteful put-downs. Example: an attractive Mrs. Hubbard comments: "Don't you agree the man must have entered my compartment to gain access to Mr. Ratchett?" The aging Princess Dragomiroff responds in a deadpan tone: "I can think of no other reason, madam."
In his portrayal of Hercule Poirot, Albert Finney almost literally disappears into the role, a tribute to convincing makeup and to Finney's adroit acting. His performance is appropriately idiosyncratic, deliciously hammy, and theatrical, every bit as entertaining in this film as Peter Ustinov is in subsequent Christie movies. The rest of the cast has ensemble parts, my favorite being Wendy Hiller whose Princess Dragomiroff comes across as royal, proud, and very eccentric.
With its snowy landscapes, ornate and cozy interiors, and subdued lighting, "Murder On The Orient Express" is an excellent movie to watch on a cold, winter night, snuggled under a blanket or next to a warm fireplace with a cup of cappuccino or a glass of cognac. Just be sure that all knives and daggers in your mansion are out of reach from your staff of servants.
- Lechuguilla
- Feb 7, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Mord im Orient-Express
- Filming locations
- Istanbul, Turkey(Exterior)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £1,500,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $27,634,716
- Gross worldwide
- $27,659,517
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