Movie Reviews by Edwin Jahiel

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (UK, 1974)

American Sidney Lumet directs an all-star cast led by a funny Finney (Albert) as detective Hercule Poirot in this most lavish of Agatha Christie filmizations. Ingrid Bergman was Oscared for Best Supporting Role. The sleuthing proper is of middlin' interest, but the actors are excellent in their short, broadly performed parts, and are never what they seem to be in this unbelievable plot. The real treats are audiovisual: the masterful opening montage of imitation newsreels echoing the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby; splendid station and train pictures; a remarkably appropriate musical score by Richard Rodney Bennett Opulent elegance makes movie even better today than it was originally. Every single actor does well. The list is impressive: Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Ingrid Bergman, Jacqueline Bisset, Colin Blakely, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Sean Connery, George Coulouris, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Perkins, Denis Quilley,Vanessa Redgrave, Rachel Roberts, Richard Widmark, Michael York. (Edwin Jahiel)