Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Sir Kenneth Branagh adapts Agatha Christie's 1934 mystery novel with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Penélope Cruz, Daisy Ridley and Dame Judi Dench. Story follows renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) as he investigates the murder of a wealthy American traveling on the Orient Express, the world's most luxurious train.
Christie's enduring story has been adapted to the big screen before, with Sidney Lumet's 1974 Oscar-winner starring Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Laren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Ingrid Bergman.
- Director:
- Kenneth Branagh ('Cinderella', 'Thor', 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein', 'Hamlet', 'Henry V')
- Writer:
- Michael Green
- Cast:
- Kenneth BranaghPenélope CruzWillem DafoeJudi DenchJohnny DeppJosh GadLeslie Odom Jr.Michelle PfeifferDaisy RidleyMarwan KenzariOlivia ColmanLucy Boynton
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksIn an attempt to do what Guy Ritchie did for Sherlock Holmes in 2010, respected cinema thespian and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh dips Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery novel into a big-budget paint-bucket. It certainly looks pretty, spouting lavish costuming alongside impeccable set design, and Haris Zambarloukos – Branagh’s regular cinematographer – aids the production with a wealth of creative camera choices.
Too twee with weak plot.
I love a period movie esp with a murder but the tweeness starts almost immediately and it loses any semblance of a solid story with it. Even the characters arent well roundeed and Kenneth Branagh has a tendency to meander and draw things out which also happens. Good actors couldnt save this from itself.
Variety
pressKenneth Branagh's take on Agatha Christie's eccentric detective is one for the age.
Total Film
pressShooting in 65mm, Branagh delivers all of the eye-saucering exteriors you'd expect, as mountaintops soar, sunlight glints at the end of tunnels and stations snuggle under a duvet of blue snow.
Time Out
pressIf it's all a little too crowded with characters, Branagh's pacy direction keeps the story zipping along.
Stuff
pressSeemingly reimagined Poirot as someone who chuckles through Charles Dickens' novels and has a love interest. What on earth would Christie say?
New Zealand Herald
pressBranagh delivers a thrilling ride through the mountainous snowscapes, making this first-class ticket as opulent as it is chilling.
Newsroom
pressUnfortunately, it's almost as if this Orient Express has been slightly derailed by the narrative it leaves on the line as it departs the cinematic platform.
New Zealand Listener
pressBranagh’s attempt at a Christie is certainly handsome and not without a few sly grins, but there’s something frustratingly stuffy and pedestrian about it...
Little White Lies
pressAn old-fashioned murder mystery repackaged from the blockbuster set. Works despite itself.
Hollywood Reporter
pressGiven the confined nature of the material as well as its period-specific aspects, this is a yarn that does not exactly invite radical reinterpretation. As such, its appeal is confined to the traditional niceties of being a clever tale well told.
Empire Magazine
pressBranagh adheres to Christie's ideal with his performance but remains in the shadow of TV's David Suchet.
Flicks, Liam Maguren
flicksIn an attempt to do what Guy Ritchie did for Sherlock Holmes in 2010, respected cinema thespian and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh dips Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery novel into a big-budget paint-bucket. It certainly looks pretty, spouting lavish costuming alongside impeccable set design, and Haris Zambarloukos – Branagh’s regular cinematographer – aids the production with a wealth of creative camera choices.
Variety
pressKenneth Branagh's take on Agatha Christie's eccentric detective is one for the age.
Total Film
pressShooting in 65mm, Branagh delivers all of the eye-saucering exteriors you'd expect, as mountaintops soar, sunlight glints at the end of tunnels and stations snuggle under a duvet of blue snow.
Time Out
pressIf it's all a little too crowded with characters, Branagh's pacy direction keeps the story zipping along.
Stuff
pressSeemingly reimagined Poirot as someone who chuckles through Charles Dickens' novels and has a love interest. What on earth would Christie say?
New Zealand Herald
pressBranagh delivers a thrilling ride through the mountainous snowscapes, making this first-class ticket as opulent as it is chilling.
Newsroom
pressUnfortunately, it's almost as if this Orient Express has been slightly derailed by the narrative it leaves on the line as it departs the cinematic platform.
New Zealand Listener
pressBranagh’s attempt at a Christie is certainly handsome and not without a few sly grins, but there’s something frustratingly stuffy and pedestrian about it...
Little White Lies
pressAn old-fashioned murder mystery repackaged from the blockbuster set. Works despite itself.
Hollywood Reporter
pressGiven the confined nature of the material as well as its period-specific aspects, this is a yarn that does not exactly invite radical reinterpretation. As such, its appeal is confined to the traditional niceties of being a clever tale well told.
Empire Magazine
pressBranagh adheres to Christie's ideal with his performance but remains in the shadow of TV's David Suchet.
Too twee with weak plot.
I love a period movie esp with a murder but the tweeness starts almost immediately and it loses any semblance of a solid story with it. Even the characters arent well roundeed and Kenneth Branagh has a tendency to meander and draw things out which also happens. Good actors couldnt save this from itself.
Share