If you went to see this movie AND you didn't know the story beforehand, I want to hear from you - Murder on the Orient Express (2017) Discussion

[–] Cheepshooter (672) 7 years ago

I had seen some older Poirot TV stuff and read another What he Christie story, so I had head of this one, but didn't know the punchline so to speak. I thought is was very well done. I liked it a lot. My wife thought it was boring. Oh well. She watches mostly crap, though.

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[–] Vechtersbaas (550) 7 years ago

I didn't really like it that much. I never knew the story before. But the way it played out in this movie kinda sucked. Peroit (or however the detective is called) knew everything beforehand. The whole murder thing was already clear for him. Usually in detectives, the detective gathers clues with the audience. So that the audience get to think along and solve the mysteries together with the detective. In here however, Peroit knew stuff that the audience couldn't possibly know. Making the viewing experience very passive.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

Consider checking out the 1974 version for comparison.

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[–] Vechtersbaas (550) 7 years ago

I might do that. Is it a more active viewing experience?

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

Sorry for the late response!

I would say the '74 version fleshes the story out more than the new film, and that might make it more enjoyable for you. Really, while I do like Branagh more as Poirot than Albert Finney, in nearly every other regard the '74 film is superior.

I enjoyed them both, but Sidney Lumet's film is still the definitive version.

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[–] davebuffalo (3496) 2 years ago

Peroit knew stuff that the audience couldn't possibly know.

That's how murder mysteries work. Pretty much the subplot of every single Perry Mason episode.

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[–] TylerAArse (2883) 7 years ago

I watched it not knowing anything about it. I enjoyed it. Figuring out who did it was way too easy, tho. Since everyone had some sort of connection the the Armstrong family, it was easy to surmise they were all involved. Kinda took the fun out of it.

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[–] GladyRuth (123) 7 years ago

Just finished it and really enjoyed it. I have trouble following all the intricacies of this type of movie so really can't comment in detail. My biggest question was how Poirot would reconcile himself to the moral decision he would have to make at the end. Having spent a lifetime of making sure justice was done what would he do. I was very pleased with his decision. It left me feeling good at the end. Plus the fact that he could still get excited about another case. That assured me that he was truly at peace.

Just have to add the cinematography was stunning and would love to read more about the details of the filming of it. IE, were all the scenes real or were some of them manufactured or whatever the term is for that. If anyone could lead me to some details of it online that would be great. I will be doing some research on it for sure. I'll watch the extras on the DVD, it might have some info too.

I'm also going to watch the older version and maybe even read the book.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

Glad to hear that you liked it!

Regarding Poirot reconciling himself to his decision in light of his devotion to justice, my take on it was that he concluded that justice is not always spelled out in the letter of the law. Sometimes real justice is something different and he had to expand his mind to see that.

As for the cinematography, a lot of it was real but a lot of it was added digitally after filming had been completed. A few shots were totally computer generated, like the avalanche.

If you're going to watch the older version(s), then the 1974 film by Sidney Lumet is the definitive version (though I actually preferred Branagh as Poirot). But if you want to see a version where Poirot's decision at the end is much more difficult and heart-wrenching for him, then watch the 2010 British ITV version, which was part of the long-running Poirot TV series. I believe this one may be on Netflix right now.

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[–] GladyRuth (123) 7 years ago

I’m one for jury nullification, civil disobedience and so many other things in this life that are outside the box. So yes, as you say, he had to expand his mind and go outside the box.

“digital” that’s the word I was looking for :o)

I will check out the other versions for sure. I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without discovering Poirot!!!

Great question.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

As I mentioned, Britain's ITV produced a very long-running Poirot series. It ran from about 1989 to, I think, maybe 2013? Something like that. About 25 years.

The whole series used to be on Netflix but it looks like that's no longer the case, sadly. It may be something worth giving a look, though I can tell you that the earlier episodes have a very different look and feel from the later episodes.

If you like the character, Agatha Christie's books are also well worth the read.

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[–] GladyRuth (123) 7 years ago

My library appears to have most of the Poirot series from ITV. I've put a hold on the one done in 2010. Will work my way through until I find the one you mention.

My library has an amazing network where I live, MA. If they don't have items locally, they will bring them in from other MA libraries or other states! They keep me well supplied so I never signed up for Netflix.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

I still use my library pretty regularly but I don't meet many others who do, so it's nice to find someone else who realizes the public library is not an outdated institution!

The Poirot series gets a bit confused in terms of air dates, because they always aired later in the US than they did in the UK. But officially the Murder on the Orient Express episode was part of Season 12 (called Series 12 in the UK), which included only four episodes in total: Three Act Tragedy, Hallowe'en Party, Murder on the Orient Express and The Clocks.

The show varies in quality but I enjoyed it overall.

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[–] GladyRuth (123) 7 years ago

It is rare to meet a fellow library patron. When I tell people about a recent movie I watched from the library they are surprised. Most think the library only has old movies. But the libraries order the DVD's as soon as they come out. Depending on how many they have and how popular the movie is determines the wait. But I don't mind that at all. And they have a wonderful online site where I can put holds on any material they have and then I just walk in and they have it all there for me. The library is close by so it works well for me.

Thanks for that info. I went back and put a hold on the Series 12 which does list it as one on the DVD.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

I re-discovered the library a few years ago. My Internet was disconnected for about 10 days, which means no entertainment to speak of beyond the stuff I already owned. I ended up going up there to use their computers and check out DVDs and books and have been a regular visitor ever since. I think that in a lot of ways the library is a forgotten institution but nothing could be farther from truth, especially considering all the services they provide and events they host beyond just loaning out movies and books.

Once you've had the chance to check out some Poirot be sure to come back and let me know what you think. Most Christie fans think that David Suchet's take on the character is the definitive one.

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[–] GladyRuth (123) 7 years ago

Nice side-effect to being without the internet!! And you are so right, it does have a lot to offer.

I will definitely let you know my thoughts on the older version.

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[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I was not aware of the plot for MOTOE before seeing it, but thought it looked pretty great from the previews. Neither my husband nor myself had any idea of the plot, and we enjoyed it immensely. We are both in our early 30's. Very excited for Death on the Nile, which has been given the green light!

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

Yes, hopefully Death on the Nile will be great! I've seen at least two other adaptations of that story but have mostly forgotten them by now, so I am really looking forward to it.

There have been some other recent Christie adaptations that you may want to consider checking out. Just in the last few years the BBC adapted And Then There Were None and The Witness for the Prosecution, and another adaptation, Crooked House, recently got a small theatrical release.

Murder on the Orient Express is more FUN than any of them, but if you enjoy old-school British mysteries then you may want to track those down. I enjoyed them all to varying degrees.

If you happen to have Amazon Prime then Crooked House is available on there right now.

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[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Thanks for the recommendations! I heard about Crooked House and have been wanting to see it.

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[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

I watched it without knowing anything about it, all I knew was that it was a murder mystery. I really liked it, and I was surprised by the whodunit reveal. It wasn't predictable. I didn't see any of the other adaptations, and I haven't read the book. I know a lot of people don't like this movie version, but I thought it was ok.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

Cool, glad to hear you liked it!

You may want to watch some of the previous versions (the 1974 and 2010 versions, specifically) to compare and contrast. It's interesting to see how each director handled the story differently, and how each lead actor interpreted the character of Poirot.

Not sure if you heard, but the film was a big financial success and a follow-up (Death on the Nile) has already been greenlit.

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[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Yeah I'm interested in watching the other versions, and I also may eventually try reading the book. I like to read just as much as I like watching movies.

And yes, I know that it was a box office success and made lots of money, and I heard about Death on the Nile. Can't wait to see it when it comes out. I love murder mysteries. I also admire the actor that plays the detective, Kenneth Branagh

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 7 years ago

If you like mysteries (British period mysteries to be specific) then you may want to check out my earlier reply to nightengale7 about some of the other Christie adaptations that have come out in the last few years.

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[–] [deleted] 7 years ago

Well, actually, I think I have some of her books. And I'll look into other adaptations in the future maybe

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[–] davebuffalo (3496) 2 years ago

Five years late, but I just saw the movie on TV in 2023, never having read the book or heard anything about the ending.

I enjoyed it very much, and didn't figure it out until the very end! I was also happy to see that "revenge justice" was allowed to stand rather than "criminal justice".

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 2 years ago

Cool man, I'm glad you liked it! Since it's a very famous story, you got lucky in not being spoiled.

You may also want to check out the 1974 version with Albert Finney and the 2010 version with David Suchet. (Suchet really is the quintessential Poirot and embodies the character of the books much better than any other actor who has tried.)

If you're a reader, the book is also pretty good.

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[–] davebuffalo (3496) 2 years ago

Yes I would be interested in seeing the other movies. Thanks for the suggestion. I did this with Overboard and a few others.

My son wrote an Agatha Christie paper like 10 years ago, and I proof-read it! He said yesterday it definitely contained this spoiler, but luckily it didn't stick with me!

I used to be a night-time reader, but now in my late 50's it makes me too tired. I'll add this book to my retirement list, when I have free time to read in the daytime.

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[–] PrimeMinisterX (8755) 2 years ago

I have to say, you sound a little like my dad. He just hit 70 and is constantly saying that any time he tries to read he's asleep after two pages.

You may want to look into the ITV series Poirot. I had mentioned the 2010 version of MOTOE with David Suchet. Well that is part of a broader series of Christie adaptations that was begun, I believe, in 1989 and ran through to 2013. In that time they adapted every Poirot book and short story with the same actor playing Poirot the whole way through.

Here's the series' IMDB page:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094525/

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[–] davebuffalo (3496) 2 years ago

I've heard of the Poirot series, and yes I'll definitely check it out, time permitting. I enjoy Sherlock Holmes and any murder mystery. My favorite is Columbo, the "inverted murder mystery". Good stuff.

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