Murder on the Orient Express (1974, Sidney Lumet)

Rating: 8 out of 10 (above average)

Snow stops a train on which a murder has been committed, and the truth is coming out in this clever adaptation by Sidney Lumet of an Agatha Christie novel. Rich folk aboard the train love to dine, but do any of them secretly love to kill?

Lumet wanted this picture to have life, color and exceptional quality. The music, lighting and camerawork are creepily effective and the legitimately cramped atmosphere of the train is wonderful. He certainly achieved that by thinking up powerful scenes and casting big stars for this remarkable mystery, inspired by the tragic Lindbergh kidnapping case.

Lumet described his third choice for Hercule Poirot, the brilliant detective, Albert Finney, as being too young for the role, which would require excellent make-up effects to make work. The result? Lumet thought Finney pulled off a tour de force and I absolutely agree. Finney carries this captivating mystery, flying through so much dialogue with that Belgian accent, the gelled-up hair, looking dapper as he cunningly figures out "whodunit." Midway through his verbal showcase of solving the crime, Poirot takes a drink for his dry throat, a drink that Finney earned.

Everybody looks glamorous, and the picture ends in a poignant moral quandary. The picture never feels dull, due to the dialogue, plot revelations and a fabulous running joke as Finney's interrogations of the passengers ends with "[They] did it!" Finney knows that uncovering dark secrets is not that easy, but it is quite a thrill to watch everything unfold.

After watching "Source Code", thinking sometimes about "Terror Train" and playing "Resident Evil: Zero", I was in the mood for a good train movie. I am pleased to say this picture was far from disappointing.