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IMDbPro

Murder on the Orient Express

  • 19741974
  • PGPG
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
62K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,977
576
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Watch ’Trailer [OV]’
Play trailer3:12
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
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.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
62K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,977
576
  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Paul Dehn(screenplay)
    • Agatha Christie(novel)
    • Anthony Shaffer(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Albert Finney
    • Lauren Bacall
    • Ingrid Bergman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Paul Dehn(screenplay)
    • Agatha Christie(novel)
    • Anthony Shaffer(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Albert Finney
    • Lauren Bacall
    • Ingrid Bergman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 253User reviews
    • 77Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 9 wins & 16 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 3:12
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos226

    Sean Connery and Vanessa Redgrave in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Albert Finney and Jeremy Lloyd in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    John Gielgud and Richard Widmark in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    John Gielgud, Albert Finney, Colin Blakely, George Coulouris, Wendy Hiller, and Rachel Roberts in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Wendy Hiller and Rachel Roberts in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Anthony Perkins and Albert Finney in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Albert Finney in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Albert Finney and Richard Widmark in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Martin Balsam, Albert Finney, and Jean-Pierre Cassel in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Albert Finney, and George Coulouris in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    John Gielgud and Denis Quilley in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
    Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, John Gielgud, Sean Connery, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Martin Balsam, Albert Finney, Michael York, George Coulouris, Wendy Hiller, Denis Quilley, and Rachel Roberts in Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Albert Finney
    Albert Finney
    • Hercule Poirotas Hercule Poirot
    Lauren Bacall
    Lauren Bacall
    • Mrs. Hubbardas Mrs. Hubbard
    Ingrid Bergman
    Ingrid Bergman
    • Gretaas Greta
    Sean Connery
    Sean Connery
    • Col. Arbuthnotas Col. Arbuthnot
    Martin Balsam
    Martin Balsam
    • Bianchias Bianchi
    Jacqueline Bisset
    Jacqueline Bisset
    • Countess Andrenyias Countess Andrenyi
    Jean-Pierre Cassel
    Jean-Pierre Cassel
    • Pierreas Pierre
    • (as Jean Pierre Cassel)
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Beddoesas Beddoes
    Wendy Hiller
    Wendy Hiller
    • Princess Dragomiroffas Princess Dragomiroff
    Anthony Perkins
    Anthony Perkins
    • McQueenas McQueen
    Vanessa Redgrave
    Vanessa Redgrave
    • Mary Debenhamas Mary Debenham
    Rachel Roberts
    Rachel Roberts
    • Hildegardeas Hildegarde
    Richard Widmark
    Richard Widmark
    • Ratchettas Ratchett
    Michael York
    Michael York
    • Count Andrenyias Count Andrenyi
    Colin Blakely
    Colin Blakely
    • Hardmanas Hardman
    George Coulouris
    George Coulouris
    • Doctoras Doctor
    Denis Quilley
    Denis Quilley
    • Foscarellias Foscarelli
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    Vernon Dobtcheff
    • Conciergeas Concierge
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Paul Dehn(screenplay)
      • Agatha Christie(novel) (uncredited)
      • Anthony Shaffer(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      84-year-old Agatha Christie attended the movie premiere in November 1974. It was the only movie adaptation in her lifetime with which she was completely satisfied. In particular, she felt that Albert Finney's performance came closest to her idea of Poirot (though she was reportedly unimpressed with his too-subtle mustache). The premiere was her final public appearance. She died fourteen months later, on January 12, 1976.
    • Goofs
      In Istanbul we hear a muezzin 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in The Dumb Waiter (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Overture And Kidnapping
      (uncredited)

      Composed by Richard Rodney Bennett

      Performed by Royal Opera House Orchestra, Covent Garden conducted by Marcus Dods

    User reviews253

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Elegant, star studded whodunit aboard the legendary train
    This is both a glamorous and entertaining adaptation of Agatha's Christie's mystery novel. There's certainly a star studded cast but perhaps the main star is the luxury train itself, the legendary Orient Express bound from Istanbul to Calais. Black with gold crests, it hisses steam as it streaks dramatically through the Balkans. Inside are opulent interiors, intriguing compartments, gourmet cuisine, fine wines & liqueurs, and elegantly costumed passengers. Of course there's the typical enclosed group of suspects with a murderer in their midst.

    The setting is 1935 and Belgian detective Hercule Poirot boards the Orient Express along with an assortment of colourful, suspicious passengers. One of them ends up murdered in his compartment, a man discovered to be a fugitive responsible (but never prosecuted) for the kidnapping some years earlier of a child that resulted in five deaths. Poirot is called upon to solve the crime, discovering that some of these intriguing passengers may not be who they appear but instead have links to this past case of kidnapping and murder.

    Albert Finney is convincing as the eccentric detective Poirot, with his slick black hair and elegant little curled mustache. He plays the role more seriously than Peter Ustinov in Death on the Nile, another film with a star studded cast. I enjoy both renditions of the detective, though my favourite may be A&E's David Suchet. I have heard that Christie herself approved of Albert Finney, but agree with her conclusion that Finney's mustache is too small! My only complaint is the scene in which Poirot is screaming quite abusively at Miss Debenham. It's out of character for this very cerebral detective.

    Yes, as the tag line claims, it's definitely the who's who in the whodunit, with the passengers all portrayed by famous stars. These actors must have had fun with their roles. Richard Widmark portrays the obnoxious American businessman, Mr. Ratchett, with Sir John Gielgud his perfectly cast, reserved butler Beddoes, and Anthony Perkins his secretary MacQueen. Michael York and Jacqueline Bisset play the mysterious, foreign Count and Countess Andrenyi, who act guilty as all get out. Lauren Bacall is suitably irritating as the loud, outspoken Mrs. Hubbard, while Ingrid Bergman is a frightened Swedish missionary...or is she? Bergman was a magnificent actress in many roles, but I have to agree with some who question whether she deserved the Best Supporting Actress Oscar here for really, quite a minor part.

    Sean Connery is handsome as always portraying the indignant Scottish Colonel Arbuthnot, though I find him even more appealing now. Like a fine wine, he simply improves with age! Vanessa Redgrave plays his love interest, Miss Debenham. What are these two hiding? Obviously something! Of course there's an aristocratic and eccentric old dowager aboard, the proud and haughty Princess Dragomiroff, played to perfection by Wendy Hiller. You can just tell that this black clad and bejeweled lady is not telling the truth! Personally, I took a liking to the train's French conductor, though was previously unfamiliar with the actor, Jean-Pierre Cassel.

    The famous locomotive is halted by a snow drift and meanwhile, Poirot is designated to solve the crime, interrogating each suspicious passenger in turn. The detective must summon his little gray cells to ferret it all out, though I find little humour in him here. No spoilers, but I think this is one of Christie's more clever twists. Personally, I would never have guessed the murderer if I hadn't read the novel first. However, one of the suspects being interrogated does give a clue, if you're really sharp!
    helpful•26
    2
    • roghache
    • May 26, 2006

    FAQ6

    • How does "Murder on the Orient Express" compare to the Lindbergh kidnapping?
    • Is the Orient Express a real train?
    • Is there really such a drink as an "amber moon"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 24, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
      • German
      • Turkish
      • Italian
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Mord im Orient-Express
    • Filming locations
      • Istanbul, Turkey
    • Production companies
      • EMI Film Distributors
      • G.W. Films Limited
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • £1,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $27,634,716
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,659,517
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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