Based on Agatha Christie's 1934 novel, the producers of Murder on the Orient Express (1974) had difficulty, and required diplomatic intervention, in bringing the story to film. Agatha Christie had disliked the previous film adaptations of her works, and by the late 1960's, had decided not to grant any further permissions. However, when the prospective film makers for Murder on the Orient Express convinced British Royal, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, to request permission on their behalf, Christie naturally agreed... and by all accounts, was pleased with the results, and happy that she did. For assembling the ensemble "Old Hollywood" cast, director Sidney Lumet had the theory, "If you get the biggest star, the rest will come along." He asked Sean Connery first, and once confirmed, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Albert Finney, Anthony Perkins, Richard Widmark, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Jaqueline Bisset and Martin Balsam all enthusiastically agreed to participate.
A group of passengers board the Orient Express train in Istanbul. Renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) is a last-minute passenger, but thanks to his fame, he is accommodated...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Albert Finney |
When the train is halted by a snow drift, one of the passengers, rich American businessman, Mr. Ratchett (Richard Widmark), is murdered. With Poirot on the case, he quickly discovers that Ratchett, was in fact a criminal responsible for the famous kidnapping and death of Daisy Armstrong (inspired by the real-life baby Lindbergh case), five years previous...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Richard Widmark |
The list of suspects is confined to the 12 passengers on the car, but Poirot must deduce who wanted Ratchett dead, and why...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Anthony Perkins |
These suspects include Mrs. Harriet Hubbard (Lauren Bacall)...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Lauren Bacall |
Colonel Arbuthnott (Sean Connery)...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Sean Connery |
and Greta Ohlsson (Ingrid Bergman, in an Oscar-winning role)...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974: Ingrid Bergman |
The murderer was shrewd, but they were not expecting Hercule Poirot to be on the train...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974 |
He will surely solve the case...
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| Murder on the Orient Express. 1974 |
