Sidney Lumet’s Murder on the Orient Express (1974) is a dazzling adaptation of Agatha Christie’s legendary novel of the same name. With an all-star cast, a lavish setting, and a masterclass in mystery storytelling, it remains one of the greatest whodunits ever made.
Detailed Summary
Opening: The Armstrong Kidnapping
The film begins with a shocking flashback montage: the kidnapping and murder of little Daisy Armstrong. The crime horrified the world, and though a man named Cassetti was caught, he escaped justice. This tragedy sets the emotional foundation for everything that follows.
Boarding the Train
We meet the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney) as he concludes a case in Istanbul. When he boards the luxurious Orient Express for his return to London, he’s surrounded by a group of curious, secretive passengers—all seemingly strangers. The train is a small universe of class, nationality, and personality clashes.
Notable passengers include:
- Mrs. Hubbard (Lauren Bacall), a talkative American widow
- Colonel Arbuthnot (Sean Connery), a stern British officer
- Princess Dragomiroff (Wendy Hiller), an imperious Russian noblewoman
- Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave), a composed English governess
- Ratchett (Richard Widmark), a wealthy but suspicious American businessman
The Murder in the Night
During the journey through the snow-covered mountains of Yugoslavia, the train is halted by an avalanche. That same night, Ratchett is found murdered in his compartment—stabbed twelve times. The door is locked from the inside. The mystery begins.
Poirot, ever observant, notices odd details: a broken watch stopped at 1:15, a piece of burnt paper, a handkerchief with an “H,” and a scarlet kimono that doesn’t belong to any passenger.
Poirot’s Investigation
Poirot interviews each passenger, uncovering contradictions and connections. Slowly, he realizes that all twelve of them have ties to the Armstrong case. Ratchett, it turns out, is Cassetti—the very man responsible for Daisy Armstrong’s death.
Every clue, every alibi, every tearful denial begins to make sense: the passengers are not strangers at all, but co-conspirators united by grief and vengeance.
Movie Ending
Poirot gathers everyone in the dining car for his legendary reveal. He presents two possible solutions to the murder:
- The Simple Explanation: A mysterious stranger boarded the train, killed Ratchett, and escaped through the window. This theory fits the physical evidence—but not Poirot’s instinct.
- The Real Truth: All twelve passengers, each connected to the Armstrong tragedy, participated in the murder. Each person stabbed Ratchett once, sharing the guilt equally. They formed a “jury” of sorts, delivering justice where the law had failed.
Poirot’s moral dilemma becomes the heart of the ending. He must choose between justice and truth. The Yugoslavian police are on their way, so Poirot suggests presenting the first version of the story—the false one—to protect the group.
In a rare moment of compassion, Poirot allows the passengers to go free. The film ends with Poirot sitting alone, quietly conflicted, as the camera lingers on his troubled face. Justice, it seems, is not always simple.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Murder on the Orient Express (1974) does not have a post-credits scene. The story concludes definitively with Poirot’s decision, and the credits roll over the haunting score by Richard Rodney Bennett.
Type of Movie
This is a mystery crime drama rooted in the classic whodunit tradition. It features a blend of psychological tension, moral complexity, and elegant period detail.
Cast
- Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot
- Lauren Bacall as Mrs. Hubbard
- Sean Connery as Colonel Arbuthnot
- Ingrid Bergman as Greta Ohlsson
- Vanessa Redgrave as Mary Debenham
- John Gielgud as Beddoes
- Wendy Hiller as Princess Dragomiroff
- Richard Widmark as Ratchett / Cassetti
- Anthony Perkins as Hector MacQueen
- Michael York as Count Andrenyi
- Jacqueline Bisset as Countess Andrenyi
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score, composed by Richard Rodney Bennett, perfectly captures the movie’s dual nature—luxury and menace. The sweeping main theme evokes the romance of train travel, while the darker motifs underscore Poirot’s growing unease.
Filming Locations
The movie was primarily shot at Elstree Studios in England, with exterior scenes filmed in France and Turkey. The production used an actual vintage train and authentic 1930s décor, bringing a tangible realism to the Orient Express’s elegance. The snow scenes were filmed on a specially constructed outdoor set using tons of salt and fake snow.
Awards and Nominations
- Won: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Ingrid Bergman)
- Nominated:
- Best Actor (Albert Finney)
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
- Best Original Score
- Best Art Direction
Bergman’s win, for a small but powerful role as the nervous missionary Greta Ohlsson, remains one of the Oscars’ most memorable supporting performances.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Albert Finney spent nearly four hours each day in makeup to become Poirot.
- Ingrid Bergman initially declined the role of Greta Ohlsson but changed her mind after reading the script.
- Director Sidney Lumet wanted the cast to spend time together off set to build the sense of intimacy and shared guilt.
- The movie’s train set was built on a large gimbal so that it could sway realistically during filming.
Inspirations and References
The movie is based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel, inspired by the real-life Lindbergh kidnapping case. The idea of moral justice beyond legal justice was central to Christie’s story. Lumet’s adaptation remains the most faithful cinematic version of her work.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The ending was filmed in two slightly different ways—one with a longer moral reflection by Poirot—but the shorter, more ambiguous version was used in the final cut. Some interrogation scenes were trimmed for pacing, including additional dialogue from Mrs. Hubbard and the Princess.
Book Adaptation and Differences
The 1974 film closely follows Christie’s novel but adds a stronger visual and emotional layer. Poirot’s internal struggle is emphasized more on screen, while the novel focuses heavily on the logical deduction process. The film also highlights the luxury and isolation of the train more vividly than the book.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The avalanche stopping the train in the snowy wilderness.
- Ratchett’s murder discovery—eerily silent and claustrophobic.
- The dining car confrontation where Poirot unveils both solutions.
- Poirot’s final, conflicted moment as the train departs.
Iconic Quotes
- Poirot: “There are two possible solutions to this crime. I shall put both before you.”
- Mrs. Hubbard: “If you ask me, this whole case is beginning to smell.”
- Poirot: “The truth, it is like a lion. You do not have to defend it.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The initials “D.A.” on a burnt handkerchief subtly foreshadow Daisy Armstrong.
- The number of stab wounds—twelve—mirrors the twelve conspirators, symbolizing jury justice.
- The film’s opening montage mimics early newsreel footage to ground the story in a real-world tone.
Trivia
- Agatha Christie herself approved the screenplay and called it one of the best adaptations of her work.
- Ingrid Bergman’s role was originally intended for Vanessa Redgrave.
- The movie’s release led to a resurgence in Christie adaptations during the 1970s.
- Lauren Bacall modeled Mrs. Hubbard’s mannerisms after real Midwestern tourists she’d met.
Why Watch?
Because Murder on the Orient Express (1974) isn’t just a mystery—it’s an experience. The performances, atmosphere, and moral depth elevate it far beyond a simple whodunit. It’s a rare film where the journey is just as important as the destination.
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- Death on the Nile (1978)
- Evil Under the Sun (1982)
- Gosford Park (2001)
- Knives Out (2019)
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
