Murder on The Orient Express (2017)

“I have the advantage. I can only see the world as it should be so the imperfections stand out.” – Hercule Poirot

Number of Times Seen – 1 (14 Jun 2018)

Brief Synopsis – While traveling across Europe, a famed detective must try and solve a mysterious murder.

My Take on it – This is a film that I’ve been very interested in seeing ever since I heard about it last year, but for some reason never got around to it.

I have always enjoyed Agatha Christie novels and despite knowing this films plot and eventual outcome, I was quite excited to watch it all take place and that largely has to do with the great work by Kenneth Branagh both behind and in front of the camera.

He directed this film and also co-wrote the script while also playing the famed detective Hercule Poirot.

I have seen numerous performances of the character and this was among the best IMHO.

The rest of the cast is largely made up of many of Branagh’s key Shakespearean actors yet they all get into their characters so well that some seem unrecognizable in these roles.

The film is edited with lots of quick cuts which helps us get into the mind of this super sleuth as he slowly gathers clues along the way to solving this crime.

This is a story that it a great example of the fact that it doesn’t matter if one already knows the plot of a story told on the film because the journey there is what’s so enjoyable along the way.

The music of this film is excellent and Branagh composer Patrick Doyle once again does an exquisite job with it. The theme song Never Forget (sung by Michelle Pfeiffer) is also great.

Check it out here:

Can’t wait to see this film again and am very much looking forward to Branagh version of Death on the Nile (2019) which is slated to be released next year.

Bottom Line – Great version of this famed Agatha Christie novel. Branagh is amazing both behind and in front of the camera and gives us so much to enjoy. The rest of the cast is amazing to watch because they have mostly worked with Branagh in the past, yet all feel quite comfortable in non-Shakespearean roles like these. The editing is great because it is done with precision that allows us to try and get into the mind of this famed detective as he slowly gathers evidence throughout the film. Despite already knowing the ending due to the story’s popularity, the journey getting there was quite enjoyable. The music is also great and the theme song fits really well into the storyline.  Cant wait to see this again and also look forward to the upcoming sequel. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Jacqueline Bisset, who starred in the 1974 version, told Kenneth Brannagh how excruciating it was to shoot the extended scene in which the murder was revealed. To avoid this feeling among the actors in his version, Branagh shot his side as Poirot first, cut wherever he could when shooting the actors up close and did everything to make sure the whole cast spent as little time as possible on set during the lengthy scene. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10)

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