Murder On the Orient Express

Review by James Anthony

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Albert Finney is a wonderful actor who has lifted many a movie with his style, ability and character. However, in Murder on the Orient Express, he seems to have been somewhat mugged by the retentive little Belgian smarty Hercule Poirot.

It is hard to put a finger on, but Finney's Poirot just seems to be a British actor playing a Belgian, rather than being the part.

Anyway, that aside, Orient Express is a many-twists tale of murder and revenge that will have you struggling to work out whodunnit.

It has a huge, huge cast with so many Oscar winners involved that drinks after shooting would have been a who's who of "you show me your's and I'll show you mine."

The actors do well but the limited stage on which they appear - the confines of the Orient Express journeying from Istanbul to Paris - make it seem almost like theatre rather than the big screen.

The lush feel of the Orient Express is captured in an excellent fashion by the rich photography and its very fine transfer on to DVD. It is not perfect, but the pictures are clear and don't have any major flaws to interrupt your mind's ponderings on who the killer is.

Murder on the Orient Express is one of those dialogue-driven movies that are a perfect escape from over-the-top action and give you a chance to settle back for a good brain workout.

Conclusion: Movie 75%, Extras 40%

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