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IMDbPro

Murder She Said

  • 19611961
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h 27m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
Murder She Said (1961)
Watch Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, who reports witnessing a murder through the window of a passing train, the police dismiss her as a dotty spinster when no trace of the crime can be found.
Play trailer2:37
2 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
When Miss Jane Marple reports witnessing a murder through the window of a passing train, the police dismiss her as a dotty spinster when no trace of the crime can be found.When Miss Jane Marple reports witnessing a murder through the window of a passing train, the police dismiss her as a dotty spinster when no trace of the crime can be found.When Miss Jane Marple reports witnessing a murder through the window of a passing train, the police dismiss her as a dotty spinster when no trace of the crime can be found.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
8.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • George Pollock
  • Writers
    • Agatha Christie(novel "4·50 From Paddington")
    • David D. Osborn(adaptation)
    • David Pursall(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Margaret Rutherford
    • Arthur Kennedy
    • Muriel Pavlow
  • Director
    • George Pollock
  • Writers
    • Agatha Christie(novel "4·50 From Paddington")
    • David D. Osborn(adaptation)
    • David Pursall(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Margaret Rutherford
    • Arthur Kennedy
    • Muriel Pavlow
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 86User reviews
    • 22Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 2:37
    Watch Trailer
    Murder She Said
    Trailer 2:39
    Watch Murder She Said

    Photos101

    Murder She Said (1961)
    Murder She Said (1961)
    Murder She Said (1961)
    Murder She Said (1961)
    Murder She Said (1961)
    Margaret Rutherford in Murder She Said (1961)
    Margaret Rutherford in Murder She Said (1961)
    Nadia Pavlova and Margaret Rutherford in Murder She Said (1961)
    Nadia Pavlova and Margaret Rutherford in Murder She Said (1961)
    Margaret Rutherford in Murder She Said (1961)
    Margaret Rutherford and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell in Murder She Said (1961)
    Margaret Rutherford and Charles 'Bud' Tingwell in Murder She Said (1961)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Margaret Rutherford
    Margaret Rutherford
    • Miss Jane Marple
    Arthur Kennedy
    Arthur Kennedy
    • Dr. Quimper
    Muriel Pavlow
    Muriel Pavlow
    • Emma Ackenthorpe
    James Robertson Justice
    James Robertson Justice
    • Ackenthorpe
    Thorley Walters
    Thorley Walters
    • Cedric
    Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
    Charles 'Bud' Tingwell
    • Inspector Craddock
    • (as Charles Tingwell)
    Conrad Phillips
    Conrad Phillips
    • Harold
    Ronald Howard
    Ronald Howard
    • Eastley
    Joan Hickson
    Joan Hickson
    • Mrs. Kidder
    Stringer Davis
    • Mr. Stringer
    Ronnie Raymond
    • Alexander
    Gerald Cross
    Gerald Cross
    • Albert
    Michael Golden
    • Hillman
    Barbara Leake
    Barbara Leake
    • Mrs. Helen Stainton
    Gordon Harris
    • Bacon
    Peter Butterworth
    Peter Butterworth
    • Ticket Collector
    Richard Briers
    Richard Briers
    • 'Mrs. Binster'
    Lucy Griffiths
    • Lucy
    • Director
      • George Pollock
    • Writers
      • Agatha Christie(novel "4·50 From Paddington")
      • David D. Osborn(adaptation)
      • David Pursall(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The name of the manor house where Miss Jane Marple conducts her inquiries is called Rutherford Hall in Dame Agatha Christie's novel. This was changed to Ackenthorpe in this movie to avoid comparison with the surname of Dame Margaret Rutherford (Miss Jane Marple).
    • Goofs
      When Stringer gives Miss Marple a leg up to look over the wall, she spots the gardener on the other side. At the same time, Stinger's head appears in the shot although he is supporting Miss Marple. Also the wall is far higher than he is.
    • Quotes

      Ackenthorpe: Cod's as good as lobster any day, and much cheaper.

      Miss Marple: Well, that depends on whether or not one has a palate unsullied by cheap opiates.

      Ackenthorpe: If you mean what I think you mean, I'll have you know this cheroot cost two shillings!

      Miss Marple: Yes. Quite.

    • Crazy credits
      In the end credits Richard Briers is listed as "Mrs. Binster".
    • Connections
      Featured in Timeshift: Between the Lines: Railways in Fiction and Film (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Frère Jacques
      (uncredited)

    User reviews86

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Name of Marple, Nature of Marble In Her Own Right...
    An unusual day and a totally unpredictable moment for a 'dotty old' Miss Jane Marple (Margaret Rutherford) on her supposedly 'too comfortable' journey by train. As a seemingly gray passenger on the 4.50 train from Paddington, she is not only stuck because of an impertinent little kid but something far more shocking happens in a train passing by her window. Death does not only appear to have windows in a detective story she has been reading...murder is, indeed, no longer a sheer bad dream that an 'unstable' or 'unbalanced' maid could have. It is the stimulus for the most intriguing senses being activated within the most unusual investigation. Soon, she will be the one who can provide light to the dark mystery of a murder. But, can she ever make herself too comfortable again at the weird Ackenthorpe Hall, a mansion where there is a constant vacancy for a maid... a perfect setting for an English mystery thriller with lots of relics from the past? Something that would recall the make-believe in William Gillette's SHERLOCK HOLMES; something that Hitchcock would have developed within the ultimate flair for style...

    What this thriller develops is not so much the style but, above all, the absolutely stunning, sympathetic, witty, intelligent, vibrant character of Miss Marple. Based upon the novel by Agatha Christie "4.50 From Paddington" she is the character with certain knowledge of criminal mind. Now, she is placed in the situation which puts her to harsh test and imposes constant alertness. Quoting the New York Times review which appeared just after the American premiere of the movie, Miss Marple proves that "the aging but still vigorous female of the species can be a better sleuth than the Scotland Yard operatives." Name of Marple, nature of marble (referring to the screenplay)...that is what highlights best her character. That is also what makes it interesting also for modern audiences. And MURDER SHE SAID beautifully introduces her to viewers. However, the true entertainment does not lie in the literary source (Agatha Christie was not happy about the numerous liberties taken) but by the actress who interprets Miss Marple, adorable Dame Margaret Rutherford.

    Although MURDER SHE SAID is just the first of four movies made within the adaptations, she appears as a truly creative and gifted performer from the very start. It is Miss Rutherford who dominates our attention and makes the thriller a rarity of its genre as a novel adaptation and as a cinematic production. When I saw her performance first with my friend, I was stunned throughout. In majority, thanks to her, thrill is combined with humor and cutting tongue with the most honest intentions. She executes her lines marvelously! Determined but calm and patient, witty but, as wisely advised, never 'too comfortable' - that is how she remains with viewers and allows us to grasp the idea of skillfully proceeding acting. As her male counterpart, in a way, comes Stringer Davis, her husband in real life, in the role of Mr Stringer. From the moment when the police inspector Craddock (Charles Tingwell) occurs to care little about the crime, they begin their own investigation. In their scenes, the two carry the essence of humor in the film. Just to note the unforgettable scene when, early in the morning after 'hearty breakfast,' Mr Stringer is giving Miss Marple 'a leg up' and they find both the dog and the man really 'frightful-looking.' Alone, she is absolutely captivating when encountering the Ackenthorpes, a really peculiar dynasty with just little exceptions (Emma). It seems that the only good thing the family have ever done were...delicious biscuits. It soon occurs that both things and crimes go in threes. All sorts of people from neurotic eccentrics to calm doctors gently tease our senses...

    They are all worth broader consideration as supporting characters, those temporary 'tresspassers' who highlight the backdrop for the mystery because the performances are exceptionally well crafted. James Robertson Justice, an eminent British actor, beautifully portrays an old, pretentious, mean, neurotic 'Chairman' of the family who cannot stand the drawbacks of his own within other people, including impertinence. He strongly and strictly prefers beef steak to beef broth. Everything and everybody seem to move around his affairs and his premonitions of what he thinks other people mean. Some of the most spicy moments appear between him and Miss Marple with memorably cutting remarks in their lines. Apart from Charles Tingwell as skeptical inspector Craddock (who appears in all four films), the cast who need particular attention are Arthur Kennedy as family's ambiguous doctor and Ronnie Raymond as 'too clever' yet sympathetic youngster Alexander, who sees the family as 'vultures' with some exceptions and who appears and disappears in the most unpredictable moments. Consider his scenes with Miss Marple...They seem to share some interests...in golf for instance.

    The atmosphere of the movie makes MURDER SHE SAID a pure classic thriller, old thriller with the magic of black and white and the slight features of horror in some of the scenes. It is considerably supported by lighting, sets and undertones of images. The magical effect is provided by Ron Goodwin's music score where a variety of tunes beautifully create a balance between tension and relief.

    MURDER SHE SAID and, finally, 'riddle she figures out' and 'murderer she finds' yet...before you decide to see this movie, which I highly recommend, prepare for great tensions and a number of misleading predictions. Worn in lots of mysteries, lots of suspicions - yes. But isn't that what should emerge from a perfect detective story? Never ignore 'dotty old maid' and never skip a 'dotty old thriller' that may truly surprise us all. Indeed, a sleuth's work is never done and Miss Rutherford makes us look forward to more ...
    helpful•12
    0
    • marcin_kukuczka
    • Feb 29, 2012

    FAQ6

    • What is 'Murder She Said' about?
    • Is 'Murder She Said' based on a book?
    • Who are the prime suspects?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 7, 1962 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Agatha Christie's 'Murder, She Said'
    • Filming locations
      • Amerden Lane, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire, England, UK(Ackenthorpe Hall entrance gates and and road bridge under railway)
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • George H. Brown Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 27 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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