Film reviews

Take one of the classiest novels by the grand dame of mystery - Agatha Christie, wrap it in a posh international atmosphere, give it an exceptional cast and turn it into a movie: you'll have Murder on the Orient Express.

The story is the one we all know from Christie's novel: on its way from Istanbul to Calais, the Orient Express is stopped by snow in the Balkans. When a murder in the first class car complicates the situation, it is time for the world-famous detective Hercule Poirot, coincidentally aboard the train, to solve the mystery.

If the film were merely a transposition of the book, it would already have been a good movie; its sheer elegance cannot but enhance the experience. Every aspect of film-making is at top level - from the glamorous costumes and setting, deliciously recreating the golden age of the Thirties, to the starry cast featuring a still young but experienced Sean Connery in the role of Colonel Arbuthnot, a brilliant Lauren Bacall in that of Mrs Hubbard and a theatrical Albert Finney as Poirot.

Despite the screenplay being heavy on dialogue, the film is never overly talky, as it features a continuous sparkling exchange of witty comments excellently performed - with different accents according to the nationality of the character - by the cast; In particular, the passages in which Mrs Hubbard, Greta Ohlsson or Princess Dragomiroff show up are especially humorous.

Thirty years after its realisation, Murder on the Orient Express still appeals to a quite wide audience, ranging from classical film connoisseurs to the less picky public. The reason for such a lasting success is that mystery murder is still one of the most intriguing entertainment genres, and that various levels of fruition are ensured by a humour that is both subtle and evident.

In summary, this is a glorious movie, full of suspense and wit, performed by a memorable cast. It well deserves both its Oscar and the five stars of our review.