Film review: Murder on the Orient Express (3 out of 5)
Well, Branagh’s Poirot is certainly a vast improvement on Albert Finney’s strange 70s incarnation and the there are some quite stunning snowy landscape scenes.
But you can’t really play around much with Agatha Christie’s classic tale of revenge, so if you know whodunnit already then it’s a case of sitting back and admiring the acting.
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Hide AdAnd there’s plenty to enjoy, with the likes of Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Colman among the main cast.
Director and star Branagh’s Poirot is a particularly thoughtful man, with an extreme need to see balance in all things, even down to the size of his two boiled eggs for breakfast.
He is on board the famous Orient Express when a murder takes place just before an avalanche leaves everyone on board stranded waiting for help.
Poirot is tasked with tracking down the murderer before the snow is cleared and they arrive at their destination.
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Hide AdChristie’s murder/mysteries are a favourite across many generations, so is there still an audience who don’t know the story?
Well, a quick poll in the office suggested there are plenty of people who haven’t watched any version, so it may well prove popular at the box office.
It’s a great plot and a superb cast so definitely worth seeing.
However, I still reckon the Suchet TV version can’t be bettered.
Film details: Murder on the Orient Express (12A) 114mins
Directors: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer
Screening courtesy of Horsham Capitol