Murder on the Orient Express
Directed by Sidney Lumet
- drama
- thriller
- mystery
The story
In 1935, when his train is stopped by deep snow, detective Hercule Poirot is called on to solve a murder that occurred in his car the night before.
What it’s like
Warm lamplight against polished wood and crisp white linen, with the grey-white blankness of snow pressing at the windows of a stalled train. Sidney Lumet's 1974 adaptation moves through its carriages with a classical, theatrical composure: long, carefully staged compositions, rich period costume in muted jewel tones, and a camera that lingers on faces during interrogations rather than cutting fast. The sound is largely dialogue, clinking cutlery, the hush of a sealed cabin, and a grand, sweeping score that swells at revelations. Its vibe is elegant and urbane, with a playful undercurrent of old-fashioned wit. The pace is unhurried, built on conversation and small reversals, and the register stays light and clever rather than tense; the emotional center is a fussy, dignified detective working through a closed circle of suspects. Violence is offstage and brief, a single stabbing shown in restrained, bloodless fashion, with no gore and no sexual content. It suits a snowy weekend, a comfort rewatch with a cup of tea, or an evening of gentle puzzling. It is for people who love classic whodunits, star-studded ensembles, and the pleasure of watching a clever mind at work.
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