Murder On The Orient Express By Agatha Christie – Starring Ingrid Bergman – November 2nd 1974 – Original Press Photograph

Publisher: Not stated
Price: £75.00
Date: November 2nd 1974
Photograph Size: 25.5cm x 20.4cm including margins
Format: Original Press Photograph
Condition: Very good
Edition: Not stated.

Details:

Pre-dates the release of the film. Bergman won her third Academy Award for her role in the film. Stamped and dated by the Shields Gazette. Slightly creased and marked but in very good condition overall.

Murder On The Orient Express: A Brief Description

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) is a British-American mystery film directed by Sidney Lumet and based on Agatha Christie‘s 1934 novel of the same name. The film features an ensemble cast of legendary actors, with Albert Finney in the role of Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective. A stylish and thrilling adaptation, the film is renowned for its intriguing mystery, atmospheric setting, and strong performances from an all-star cast.

Plot Overview:

The story takes place aboard the luxurious train The Orient Express, which travels from Istanbul to Calais, crossing Europe through snowy landscapes. Hercule Poirot, the world-renowned detective, is returning to London after a case in the Middle East when he is invited to take a seat on the train. Shortly after boarding, a wealthy American businessman, Samuel Ratchett (played by Richard Widmark), is found murdered in his compartment, stabbed multiple times.

Ratchett had been travelling under an alias, and it becomes clear that he was not the respectable businessman he appeared to be. His real name was Cassetti, and he was a notorious gangster responsible for the kidnapping and murder of a child several years earlier — a crime that had shocked the nation and left the child’s parents devastated. Cassetti’s past makes him a prime suspect for revenge, but as Poirot begins to investigate, he discovers that many of the passengers on the train have motives to kill him.

Poirot’s investigation unfolds in the confined, luxurious setting of the train, with him interviewing each of the passengers, uncovering secrets, lies, and hidden connections between them. The detective’s usual sharp powers of deduction are put to the test as he tries to make sense of the clues, all while the snowy landscape outside creates a sense of isolation and suspense.

In the film’s gripping conclusion, Poirot reveals two possible solutions to the crime: one in which the murder is committed by an outsider, and another in which all of the passengers were involved in a joint act of revenge for the horrific crime committed by Cassetti. The film ends ambiguously, leaving the audience to ponder the true nature of justice.

Key Themes and Tone:

The central theme of Murder on the Orient Express is the concept of justice — specifically, the idea of whether it is right to take the law into one’s own hands in the face of an unpunished atrocity. Throughout the film, Poirot grapples with the idea of moral justice versus legal justice. The murder of Ratchett (Cassetti) is presented as an act of revenge for the crime he committed years earlier, and much of the film revolves around the question of whether the murderers deserve punishment or whether their actions were justified by the suffering Cassetti caused.

Another key theme is identity and deception. Many of the passengers on the train are not who they seem, and their backstories — often involving hidden motives or mysterious connections — are slowly revealed throughout the investigation. Poirot himself also struggles with his own sense of identity, as his acute intellect often distances him from others, and he is repeatedly portrayed as an outsider in the narrative.

The film blends suspense with elements of dark humour, characteristic of many of Christie’s works. The confined, luxurious setting of the train — a place where every passenger is both a suspect and a potential ally — provides the perfect atmosphere for a classic locked-room mystery. The story’s setting within the isolated train, cut off from the rest of the world by a snowstorm, increases the tension and the sense of claustrophobia.

Characters and Performances:

The film’s ensemble cast is one of its standout features. Each actor brings a unique flavour to the story, and many of them are well-known for their work in other genres, making their roles in the film both entertaining and memorable.

• Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney): Albert Finney’s portrayal of Poirot was widely praised for its energy and depth. Finney’s Poirot is more dynamic than some of the other interpretations of the character, emphasising both the detective’s intellectual brilliance and his more human, emotional side. His sharp wit and commanding presence make him an excellent foil to the diverse array of characters in the film, and his interactions with them — often tinged with a mix of humour and gravity — are a highlight of the story.
• Ratchet/Cassetti (Richard Widmark): Richard Widmark plays the ill-fated businessman, Samuel Ratchett, whose true identity as the criminal Cassetti is slowly revealed. Ratchett is a cold, menacing figure, and his murder is presented as a form of poetic justice for his past actions. Widmark’s portrayal is compelling, even though he is not on screen for long, as his character’s unsavoury past haunts the entire narrative.
• The Passengers: The film’s strength lies in its vast ensemble cast, each member of which contributes to the mystery:
  • Lauren Bacall plays Mrs. Hubbard, a talkative American woman who is insistent on her innocence but whose motives may not be as transparent as she claims.
  • Ingrid Bergman, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role, plays Greta Ohlsson, a Swedish missionary with a deeply compassionate nature.
  • Sean Connery is Colonel Arbuthnot, a military officer who develops a strong rapport with Poirot during the investigation.
  • Mia Farrow portrays Mary Debenham, a schoolteacher with a calm, reserved demeanour who hides her own secrets.
  • John Gielgud is the elegant butler Edward Masterman, whose stoic exterior conceals a troubled past.
  • Jacqueline Bisset plays Daisy’s maid, a young woman caught up in the complex web of the murder.
  • Richard Widmark as Ratchett/Cassetti adds a chilling presence that lingers throughout the film.

The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, with each actor adding nuance and intrigue to the mystery. Their backstories, which are slowly revealed through Poirot’s questioning, add depth to the story and keep the audience engaged as the detective works his way through a tangle of lies and motivations.

Direction and Cinematography:

Sidney Lumet’s direction brings a steady, deliberate pace to the film, allowing the tension to build slowly as Poirot uncovers layer after layer of mystery. Lumet is known for his work in dramas and thrillers, and his ability to handle a large ensemble cast with ease is evident in this adaptation. The film is structured in a way that slowly builds suspense, and Lumet’s attention to detail ensures that the audience remains captivated by the unfolding story.

The cinematography by Géza Radványi captures the grandeur of the Orient Express and its glamorous, old-world charm. The train itself becomes a character in the story, with its luxurious interiors and narrow, confined corridors creating a sense of claustrophobia and intrigue. The use of lighting is key in many of the more dramatic scenes, especially during the interviews with the passengers, where shadows and light are used to heighten the tension.

Music:

The film’s score, composed by Richard Rodney Bennett, is elegant and atmospheric, enhancing the film’s mysterious and suspenseful tone. The music, which combines orchestral and jazz elements, complements the film’s period setting while also adding to the sense of intrigue.

Reception and Legacy:

Upon its release, Murder on the Orient Express was a critical and commercial success. The film grossed over $35 million in the United States alone and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Ingrid Bergman’s supporting performance. Critics praised the film’s stylish direction, the performances of the cast, and its faithful adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel. The film remains one of the best-loved adaptations of Christie’s work, with Albert Finney’s portrayal of Hercule Poirot considered one of the most iconic interpretations of the character.

The film’s influence extends beyond the mystery genre, and its ensemble cast has been cited as a benchmark for future films with similar structures. The blend of suspense, wit, and moral dilemmas makes it a standout in the genre of whodunit thrillers.

Conclusion:

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) is a timeless mystery film that remains one of the finest adaptations of Agatha Christie’s work. Its captivating ensemble cast, brilliant direction by Sidney Lumet, and intriguing exploration of justice, morality, and revenge all contribute to its lasting appeal. As a classic example of the whodunit genre, the film continues to entertain and intrigue audiences, and it stands as a benchmark in the history of mystery cinema.

Location: Map drawer C: Folder: 6001: 6002M 002495

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