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Orient Express - on TV at Xmas

Moderator2 24 Nov 10 at 4:14 p.m. GMT

Due to be broadcast in the UK this Christmas, now would be a good time to read the original, refresh your minds and get the debate started in anticipation of this new David Suchet adaptation. Those in the US have been lucky enough to see this film already, but are more than welcome to share their opinions, just don't spoil anything for the others! 

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Tommy_A_Jones 24 Jan 11 at 4:27 p.m. GMT

It may be that the earlier ones were too light and the Change in Poirot is too abrupt and if there has to be a change to make him more serious the Change is not gradual enough, I can see how Poirot should be darker and more serious in MOTOE but there could have been lightness which to counteract the Darkness, but previously David Suchet has portrayed Poirot too severely IMHO like in Three-Act Tragedy and before that Appointment With Death but with that one the Child abuse and White-slavery was out of place.

Aurora 23 Jan 11 at 2:04 p.m. GMT

I've been watching the one hour episodes on TV recently and Poirot is a different character to the one in MOTOE. I much prefer the old Poirot and think this adaptation fails in too many ways to mention. I just hope he never does The Big Four or Curtain as, based on this, it will be too painful to watch.

LovesMysteries 18 Jan 11 at 4:09 p.m. GMT

Bunch_Marple

I've just watched the adaptation and I must say I was disappointed. It lost much of the suspense and the humour of the book, as well as downplaying a lot of the characters and their contrasts to one another. David Suchet seems rather caught up in playing Poirot as a lost soul of late, conflicted, terribly dark and introspective. This could have worked well here if the investigations had been given more screen-time than the melodramatic climatic conflict...

I didn't get a good feel for the characters in the film and they didn't get enough air time and didn't really made much of an impact for me. I much prefer the Albert Finney version of the film. . . . that is the definitive Murder on the Orient Express for me and it's too bad David Suchet and his crew messed up . . . .the film had so much potential but they thought they could do better than Agatha Christie.

Tommy_A_Jones 18 Jan 11 at 4:05 p.m. GMT

I think he says when he returns to the role he watches porevious ones to help him get back in to the part, perhaps he does this while doing something else like a Crossword as hius performance does seem to be different lately.

Bunch_Marple 17 Jan 11 at 9:15 a.m. GMT

I've just watched the adaptation and I must say I was disappointed. It lost much of the suspense and the humour of the book, as well as downplaying a lot of the characters and their contrasts to one another. David Suchet seems rather caught up in playing Poirot as a lost soul of late, conflicted, terribly dark and introspective. This could have worked well here if the investigations had been given more screen-time than the melodramatic climatic conflict...

Tommy_A_Jones 01 Jan 11 at 2:01 p.m. GMT

I thought the Albert Finney version was right for the Time when it was made and instead of the new version 'showing the Finney version up for what it it was' I felt the old version exposed the fact that the detection part of the book was lewss than interesting and the best parts of the book were before the INterviewing satarted which was just a supportin Act for the Denoument which was very good in both Book and Finney version, where as in the Suchet version the best that can be said is that it was different. 

Nofret 31 Dec 10 at 5:58 p.m. GMT

Just back from holiday, managed to catch Orient Express on Iplayer - I was absolutely blown away by it! What a contrast to the earlier Hollywood version - I enjoyed it at the time, but this amazing adaptation showed it up for the bit of fluff it is.

Suchet's portrayal of a Poirot on the edge of a breakdown was a tour de force. Poirot had just witnessed two violent and unnecessary deaths, and now he feels responsible for Ratchett's bloody murder, having refused the commission to protect him. This was a very dark interpretation indeed - what a brilliant touch to have the denouement scene played in cold and darkness, as the train's power fails.

The supporting actors could not be faulted for maintaining the brooding, sinister mood, the murder of the little girl and the subsequent butchering of Ratchett were certainly not a subject for light comedy, as in the Finney version (I found Vanessa Redgrave particularly flippant and annoying). Hugh Bonneville shone as Masterman, as did Dame Eileen as the Princess, and Toby Jones as an unusually repentant Ratchett.

Can't wait for the next one! Dead Man's Folly isn't one of my favourites, what's left, apart from Curtain? I think Derek Jacobi would be ideal for a certain role in that one!

Tommy_A_Jones 30 Dec 10 at 2:34 p.m. GMT

The Part where Poirot explains everything was rushed and I thought it was not certain wether the Murderer(s) got away with it and ITV will have to be careful where they repeat it, I preferred the Finney version but I think this Adaptation is better than some in the past.

Number3 29 Dec 10 at 8:09 p.m. GMT

When I saw this version I was very un-happy with it.  Too much of the story has been cut out and viewers are left in a bit of a lurch.

I enjoyed the film version of the 1970's with Albert Finney.  Eventhough it was a Hollywood production it seemed much truer to the story.

Tommy_A_Jones 26 Dec 10 at 4:51 p.m. GMT

I watched The Adaptation last night, I have mixed feelings, I thought The Acting was very good especially from Eileen Atkins, spoilers I thought the Suicide at the Beginning was unnecessary as was the Slayinmg of the woman and I wish that Bouc had been an old friend of Poirot's or even the sonof an old friend, I wish Poirot had been less mournful, I think there were changes that could have been made which set us up nicely for Curtain which I have read is what the Makers were aiming for, I was confused at the end, did Poirot give all the Evidence to the Authorities? I thought up until the Death Dragged but then the investigation was carried out with indescent haste.

On Wikipedia it says Poirot is Catho;oc so the Religiousness of him wasn't odd to me and also I think David Suchet has become more religious and so that could also explainm why Poirot is more religious now, All in all I thought it was O.K., and better than Cards, Appointment and Halloween but I hope Folly is lighter, I think the Viewers deserve it, Poirot should stop trying to compete with Modern things as it is a different beast.

DANIEL_ZAITSEFF 02 Dec 10 at 8:29 a.m. GMT

(Continue) I was impressed by this film beyond words, especially of Mr Suchet playing, as I have never seen him behaving like that, and so was impressed for a month and still being impressed, and note, that I`ve read it before, played computer game, read in both russian and english, so that I knew how the film ends, all Poirot`s words, but I failed to hear that very words. But. That things, that words that I heard it was like smth new for me and I managed to pass that great feelings and words of each man on that train through my mind and being impressed as if I read it as a new, watch as a new, as typically observer.. Thank to everybody, who  created that perfect by all means, and I hope, by all accounts film, especially my greatest thanks for Mr Suchet, because he`s the greatest actor I`ve ever known, I`m his admirer for ever. Thank thee!

DANIEL_ZAITSEFF 02 Dec 10 at 7:55 a.m. GMT

So, I see that each man must have his own opinion, but, that`s disastrous, what you said! The adaption is perfect and this dilemma is the key to the puzzle, to the observer`s attention. It makes us be excited  during watching the film. I`ve read MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at least 3 times and I know that very dilemma "Let those good people go free or not, hand me over the police, my world has gone..., that Drogomiroff spoke out", it has no place in the book, but have you ever seen a film by a book where the creators accord to all things and words that took place in book? Non. And that dilemma, that Poirot, full of religion and willing for getting real, god justice is likely to attract lots of people for seeing another films with himself and the one more thing, and that would be quite good, to read Agatha Christie`s books. His words like "The rule of law it must be held heigh and if it falls you pick it up and hold even higher! For all societies, all civilized people. They will have nothing to shelter them if it is destroyed!" That words contain the main thought, Agatha Christie wanted us to say. As I said, that film was presented in Russia 20 October and I had to buy it because when I saw that it was alike the New Year present, or smth of that kind, so great thing so many years have passed by since I wanted that film to create, and suddenly I see it on the store`s shelf! I was happy! I was watching that in english, translated and told about that for all my familiar people.....

rogewai 29 Nov 10 at 8:11 p.m. GMT

I have always pictured David Suchet as Poirot, but this has to be

the worst adaptation I ever seen. So quick & when did Poirot get

so religious? I must go back & reread the book.

markb2 29 Nov 10 at 8:10 p.m. GMT

I'm afraid I have to agree with go leafs.  The whole thing seemed to be geared to Poirot's overacted dilemma with the ending and not nearly enough with the characters and action that brought us to that point.  Sadly, this is quite forgettable.  I haven't watched it since my first viewing, which is very, very unusual.

go_leafs_nation 29 Nov 10 at 12:50 a.m. GMT

I must confess, I was completely disappointed by the film adaptation. It was entertaining in parts, I guess, but overall, it was loud and clunky. It rushed through the suspect interviews just so you have a sappy and overly-long half hour climax/drama. Parts of it were supremely silly, and Suchet did nothing but shout. It showed a distinct lack of inspiration or imagination, as the screenwriter (who did an excellent job adapting The Clocks) completely messed up.

I already posted my full review elsewhere, though, so I'll save the sarcastic remarks.

DANIEL_ZAITSEFF 28 Nov 10 at 3 p.m. GMT

In Russia MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS was presented to the authorities 20 October. That was great! I always supposed Mr Suchet to be the greatest actor! And that is not in some way fulsome words! I always supposed him to be such a man, and suppose now. And this film have just ones more prove it. But of course Mr Suchet has nothing to prove! I`ve never seen Poirot being such sympathetic and angry at the same time. I saw all films with Mr Suchet and can say that this one is the best from point of feelings and puzzle. I wish I hadn`t read book before, but in spite of that I received lots of pleasure! Thanks for everybody! I also wanted to note the playing of Princess Dragomiroff, because her accent was perfect! And she is quite beautiful and pleasant woman. Such a russian one! When I saw her I noted that I felt myself as if I was watching smth so familiar, because I watched it in english. 

Mr Suchet is beyond comparison!

Mr_Satterthwaite 24 Nov 10 at 8:19 p.m. GMT

Just finished the book, for the first time, yesterday. I think I put it off for so long because I have seen the Finney film several times.

It was a great read. I really liked the two options that Poirot gave. I must say that I really do not like the way Finney portrayed Poirot in the 1974 film. He played him as a kind of 'Grotesque'. Much prefer Suchet's portrayal. That is how I picture Poirot now.

Look forward to the new Suchet adaptation :)