Murder on the Orient Express

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Genre Drama
Director Kenneth Branagh
Cast Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Willem Dafoe, Daisy Ridley, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr
  • Release Date 30/11/2017
  • Category IIA
  • Duration 114 mins
  • Country the USA, the UK, Malta, Canada

In the most timeless of whodunits, Murder on the Orient Express follows renowned detective Hercule Poirot as he attempts to solve what would become one of the most infamous crimes in history. 

After a shocking murder of a wealthy businessman on the lavish European train barreling its way west in the dead of winter, private detective Poirot must uncover which of the train’s eclectic passengers is the killer, before he or she strikes again.

This film introduces another generation of moviegoers to an enthralling new interpretation of one of the most beloved mysteries of all time.

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie’s novel, Murder on the Orient Express is considered one of the most ingenious stories ever devised. More than 80 years after its publishing, Christie’s novel remains beloved by new generations of readers.

The classic mystery, with its richly drawn characters confined to a luxurious passenger train, tight scenes and crisp dialogue, has fixated audiences since the novel’s debut in 1934. The Times of London wrote upon its publishing, ‘The little grey cells solve once more the seemingly insoluble. Mrs Christie makes an improbable tale very real, and keeps her readers enthralled and guessing to the end.’

Readers have been captivated with the mystery, the crime, the story and the character of Hercule Poirot for generations. The allure of the Orient Express was magnified by Christie’s work, and travellers continue to flock to discover the illustrious compartments and service to this day. Room 411 in the Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul, where Christie allegedly wrote the novel, also remains a popular destination site. There are societies and clubs the world over dedicated to rediscovering Christie’s mysteries, particularly those featuring Hercule Poirot.

You can know more about Agatha Christie here.

Characters:

  • The detective

    The beloved fictional detective, Hercule Poirot, is one of Agatha Christie’s most famous characters, appearing in 33 novels and over 50 short stories.

  • The gangster

    Ratchett is disturbed and unsettled, as someone is after him, and he becomes aware of it through a series of provocative notes, threatening messages that are found on the train.

  • The assistant

    Hector MacQueen is Ratchett’s secretary and a very nervous individual. He is well-travelled and scholarly, trained as a lawyer, and fluent in many languages, but is not a happy man.

  • The butler

    Masterman is Ratchett’s trusted butler. He appears to be entirely obedient and subservient - very English, and very polite.

  • The widow

    Caroline Hubbard is a husband-hunter. She’s often funny, but can be very forceful, and to some people a little irritating and a little intense.

  • The missionary

    Pilar Estravados is an impassioned, intense missionary with a zeal to travel the world and do what she can to improve an imperfect world - both spiritually and philosophically.

  • The professor

    The arrogant Professor Gerhard Hardman annoys his fellow travellers almost immediately. He is also very particular about where he sleeps, what he eats and what he does.

  • The countess

    The Countess Andrenyi is married to the Count Andrenyi, and they are both ballet dancers. Her background is not exactly clear. What is clear is that she is subject to some kind of addiction or disturbance that keeps her out of sight of the travellers on board the Orient Express.

  • The count

    The Count Andrenyi is a renowned dancer, and very protective of his wife.

  • The princess

    From Russian royalty, Princess Dragomiroff has some superior arrogance and disgust at most of what went on around her. When she wasn't complaining about what wasn't right, she was demanding that her dogs be looked after.

  • The maid

    Hildegarde Schmidt works for the Princess Dragomiroff as her lady's maid. She is polite and clearly intelligent, but she's quiet. She cooks for the princess, manages her wardrobe and her sharp personality, which is constantly to complain, it would seem.

  • The governess

    Mary Debenham is a governess with a passion for photography. She is a free-spirited young woman, who is travelling, seemingly alone.

  • The doctor

    A former soldier, Dr Arbuthnot has to display the courage to be different in a difficult situation, and defend himself, both literally, and philosophically.

  • The manager

    Monsieur Bouc suddenly becomes responsible for a train where a terribly violent crime has occurred, and which is stuck in the mountains. It's a crisis for him, for he may lose his job, and if this murderer stays on the loose, he may lose his life.