Murder on the Orient Express stands as a defining piece of Agatha Christie’s literary legacy, captivating audiences with its intricate plot and unexpected twists. The story follows Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective known for his sharp intellect and “little gray cells.” His journey commences on the luxurious train, the Orient Express, traveling from Istanbul to Calais. When the train finds itself trapped in a snowbank, a murder occurs: Edward Ratchett, a foul American, is found dead, stabbed a dozen times. Christie’s inspiration for this tale stemmed from the notorious 1932 Lindbergh kidnapping case, where the child of aviator Charles Lindbergh was abducted and tragically murdered, according to AgathaChristie.com.
As Poirot delves into the investigation, he eventually unveils the murderer, leading to a signature Christie finale that defies expectations. The enduring appeal of Murder on the Orient Express can be attributed to its complex cast of suspects and the shocking revelation of the crime’s true nature, marked by Poirot’s final act that challenges his moral compass. Over the years, this classic has been reimagined across various mediums, including films, stage productions, and video games, highlighting its timeless nature.
The 1933/34 Novel: The Birth of a Legend
Poirot’s Decadal Triumph
The novel Murder on the Orient Express marked Hercule Poirot’s tenth adventure. Set on a stalled train, the plot reveals a conspiracy among twelve individuals who seek justice for the past murder of Daisy Armstrong, a child kidnapped and brutally killed years prior. Each conspirator shares a personal connection to this tragedy. The true identity of the victim, Edward Ratchett, is revealed as Cassetti, who evaded justice, resulting in Poirot confronting a moral dilemma that leads him to misdirect the blame onto an imagined assailant.
Inspired by the real-life Charles Lindbergh Jr. case, Christie transformed the narrative by incorporating embellishments, such as the demise of Daisy’s mother due to complications during pregnancy and the subsequent suicide of her father. This tale of vengeance aboard the train not only captivated readers but also helped Christie secure her place as one of the bestselling authors of all time, with over a billion copies sold globally.
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
All-Star Cast: A Double-Edged Sword
The 1974 adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express featured a star-studded ensemble that, while sensational, drew focus away from the narrative. Led by Albert Finney as Hercule Poirot, the film showcased a remarkable array of talent including Ingrid Bergman, Vanessa Redgrave, Sean Connery, and Lauren Bacall. The performances were lauded, yet Finney’s portrayal of an irate Poirot may have hindered audiences’ ability to empathize with the character.
The script remained loyal to Christie’s original tale, complemented by a memorable score. Despite its acclaim—Bergman winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress and multiple nominations, including for Finney and the screenplay—the film’s success was marred by criticisms of Poirot’s characterization.
Murder on the Orient Express (2001)
A Modernized Interpretation by CBS
The 2001 television adaptation by CBS presented significant deviations from Christie’s narrative, attempting to modernize the story. Consequently, several murderers were excised from the plot, enhancing the sense of streamlined simplicity. Alfred Molina stepped into the shoes of Poirot, yet his performance was unable to resonate with audiences due to the alterations that stripped away the essence of Christie’s vision.
In an effort to appeal to contemporary viewers, the adaptation introduced Poirot using computers and featured an unnecessary romantic subplot. Critics responded unfavorably, deeming it a less faithful interpretation of the classic mystery.
Video Games Adaptations: A Playable Mystery
Gaming Adventures: From 2006 to 2023
In 2006, The Adventure Company launched a point-and-click PC game, Agatha Christie: Murder on the Orient Express. While it garnered mixed reviews—characterized as “decent”yet heavy on dialogue—players controlled Antoinette, Poirot’s sidekick, as she searched for clues post-Poirot’s injury. Unfortunately, gameplay often felt tedious, as critics noted a lack of pacing. IGN remarked, “Playing Murder on the Orient Express at many times feels like reading a novel as extended dialogue exchanges with multiple characters eat up numerous gameplay hours.”
Fast forward to 2023, another game under the same title was released, this time allowing players to embody Poirot himself. This modern iteration offered a more faithful representation of Christie’s narrative.
Graphic Novels: Visual Storytelling in 2007 & 2023
Comic Adaptations by François Rivière and Bob Al-Greene
In 2007, François Rivière adapted the story into a French-language graphic novel, albeit condensing a complex narrative into a mere 44 pages. While it received a favorable rating of 4.1 on Goodreads, many found it unsatisfactory due to the brevity of the adaptation. By comparison, Christie’s original work required much more depth.
A newer adaptation was published in September 2023 by Bob Al-Greene, which retained greater fidelity to the original story, comprising three segments that guided readers through Poirot’s investigation and provided a richer narrative experience.
Agatha Christie’s Poirot: “Murder on the Orient Express”(2010)
ITV’s 2010 Take on the Classic
Beginning in the late 1980s, the UK’s ITV network produced a series of mysteries featuring Agatha Christie’s characters, including Poirot and Miss Marple. To rejuvenate the narratives, ITV introduced various backstories; notably, Miss Marple was given a romantic subplot tied to wartime tragedy.
In David Suchet’s 2010 adaptation, an unsettling opening sequence introduced an unrelated soldier whom Poirot accuses of deceit before the narrative transitions to the main story. While Suchet captures Poirot’s essence with poignant acting, the addition of unnecessary scenes, such as the soldier’s subplot, received mixed reviews from audiences.
Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken (2015)
Embraced by Japanese Fans
Agatha Christie enjoys a dedicated following in Japan, especially following the resurgence of the ITV Poirot series, which was revived thanks to its popularity among Japanese viewers. In 2015, this led to a Japanese adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express featuring a new character named Suguro Takeru, inspired by Hercule Poirot himself.
Broadcasted as Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken, this adaptation captured the attention of fans, blending the classic narrative with a unique Japanese flair while still maintaining its intriguing plot structure. The adaptation marked a special homage to Christie’s work, resonating well within the local culture.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
A Theatrical Reimagining
Penned by Ken Ludwig, known for his comedic works, the stage adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express premiered in Washington, D.C. in 2017. Melding humor with the classic mystery, the play retained the core essence of the story, though certain suspects were omitted and an additional crime subplot was introduced, which some spectators found unnecessary.
The production enjoyed considerable success, embarking on a national tour. The Old Globe Theatre in 2024 showcased a revival, reaffirming Ludwig’s adaptation’s popularity and faithfulness to Christie’s narrative, featuring scenic rotations to depict various train compartments effectively.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Branagh’s Cinematic Return
Under the direction and starring role of Kenneth Branagh, the 2017 film adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express achieved remarkable box-office success, grossing $352.8 million against a budget of $55 million, ultimately leading to a film franchise for Branagh. Despite its financial achievements, the critical reception was polarized, with a 60% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics acknowledged the adherence to the novel within Branagh’s interpretation, yet expressed concerns that the film favored his character over Christie’s original storyline.
While Branagh shared the screen with notable actors like Johnny Depp and Judi Dench, the focus remained steadfastly on Poirot, with earlier portrayals enriching the character’s depth and complexity. Enthusiastic audiences embraced the film, which additionally generated two sequels, featuring Branagh’s return in Death on the Nile (2022) and A Haunting in Venice (2023), with the latter gaining praise as the finest of the recent adaptations.
Who Portrayed the Best Poirot?
A Comparative Assessment of Portrayals
Ranging from Albert Finney’s 1974 portrayal to Kenneth Branagh’s contemporary interpretation in 2017, and Alfred Molina’s role in 2001, the question of who embodies the quintessential Hercule Poirot remains a subject of debate among fans and critics. Finney depicted a fierce and robust Poirot, while Molina faced challenges from an adapted script that strayed from Christie’s original lore.
Branagh’s portrayal infused a layer of campiness into the character, prompting reflections on character depth versus raw acting prowess. Nevertheless, for many, David Suchet’s interpretation stands out due to its authenticity and allegiance to Christie’s vision, making him a definitive Poirot for those who appreciate fidelity to the source material.
Determining the Best Adaptation: A Personal Choice
A Plurality of Opinions on Quality
With a wealth of adaptations, evaluating Murder on the Orient Express largely hinges on individual preferences. The 1974 version, helmed by Sidney Lumet, secured a remarkable 90% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to the 2017 adaptation’s more modest 60% score. However, the latter proved to be a financial triumph, solidifying Branagh’s position in film adaptations.
Given the differing mediums—films, video games, graphic novels—it proves difficult to draw direct comparisons. While the 2001 adaptation faced scrutiny and was mostly disregarded, the 1974 classic remains a benchmark for success. It not only embodies the essence of Christie’s narrative but also stands as a timeless piece of cinematic artistry.