Review of Murder on the Orient Express (2017) by Rowan D — 07 Nov 2017

Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Agatha Christie's 1934 novel is a juicy fruitcake of a film, everyone's favourite detective, Hercule Poirot (Branagh himself), has decided to take a holiday to read Charles Dickens and enjoy three days on the Orient Express "without care, concern or crime". But, as we know, no good deed goes unpunished, and a murder inevitably occurs on board.

The ensemble cast comprises an enjoyable mix of actor's, from the brilliant Olivia Colman to the incomparable Dame Judi Dench, all the way to some Hollywood movie stars from Johnny Depp, Willem Dafoe, Josh Gad to Penélope Cruz, with Michelle Pfeiffer's kittenish widow and Star Wars heroine Daisy Ridley's fiery, principled governess the best of a very good bunch.

The film works especially well if you don't remember the book's original ending, though it's not exactly spoiled if you do. Written by Blade Runner: 2049 writer Michael Green, it doesn't try to reinvent Agatha Christie novel, though it does update her slightly.

The film is classic Branagh: sweeping landscapes, thundering score, capital-A class acting, and just like Dunkirk earlier in the year, the Murder on the Orient Express was shot on 65mm film and it's all the better for it.

Murder on The Orient Express contains one of Christie's cleverest plots and Branagh transformation into Poirot is glorious. There is luxury in everything from the costumes to the wonderfully fluid camerawork. And of the first-class ensemble cast makes this a film worth your money.