Murder on the Orient Express, one of the saddest films

[RosieMilkJug]

I watched the 1974 version last night with Lauren Bacall and Albert Finney.

I do find this is one of the saddest films I’ve seen, especially as it’s very loosely based on the true story of Charles Lindbergh’s baby son.

No one wins. There’s no happy ending. God, I’m all depressed now! Blumming good film though.

I should have put this in Chat 😞

I agree. Like The Mirror Cracked I find the motive behind the murder too sad to really enjoy the story.

It’s a brilliant story, but yes, so so sad.

Am watching that version now. Have seen every other version but never watched this one. Apparently Agatha Christie wasn't impressed with Albert Finney playing Poirot.

Lots of the Christie stories are sad. The Mousetrap is based on a true story about child abuse too.

Albert Finney was a bit over emotional in some scenes, I agree. No one beats David Suchet.

Interesting to hear about The Mouse Trap.

The Lauren Bacall scene at end always had me in tears, yes she was being a gobby loudmouth woman but inside she was broken😪

Agatha Christie watched this film and got really excited with Albert Finney's portrayal of Poirot because that's EXACTLY how she wanted him to be...

I wasn't impressed with Albert Finney either. He is my least favourite Poirot and was the weak link in an otherwise brilliant film.

I really like the 1974 version - one of the few films I prefer to the book. The premise is sad, but in my view the ending is presented as happy in a bittersweet way. The soundtrack really makes the film - I always get shivers when they first show the Orient Express departing, and the headlights suddenly light up. I like Finney's Poirot, too.

I agree. Its all glamour and fabulous scenery until suddenly it's heartbreak and pain. I can't watch it again.

Yes it's fabulous, it catches the era so perfectly, the music, the clothes the glamour, the scenery, no other film will come close...

Oh yes I forgot the train pulling away from the station scene...magificent!

I questioned the train station scene. There is a covered roof so nowhere for the door and smoke to go. Surely the station would be full of coal smoke?

And interesting to see that there was no platform. The train passengers had to climb ladders to board the train. Is this historically accurate? I assumed they filmed this scene in an old hangar/massive studio. Or was sit at the National Railway Museum and the locomotive was already in situ?

Door? I typed soot!