“Murder on the Orient Express” A true masterpiece of Agatha Christie’s original movie *Note! Contains spoilers.

Sidney Lumet's Strategy and Calculations

Sidney Lumet's strategy and calculations in Murder on the Orient Express are nothing short of brilliant. Since this is a movie in which many suspects appear one after another, he thought of making it an ``all-star cast movie'' with famous actors. They reasoned that if there were familiar faces, the audience would be able to easily recognize the characters.

Lumet first thought , ``If I can get a big star to appear, all the other actors will join in.'' Signed a contract with Sean Connery, with whom he collaborated in ``The Angry Detective'' (1972). The plan turned out to be a success, and one after another, great actors Signs performance contracts. Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, Richard Widmark, Anthony Perkins, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, Wendy Hiller, Rachel Roberts, Lauren Bacall, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset, Martin Balsam... A huge number of people boarded the Orient Express.

Ingrid Bergman, in particular, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Greta Olson, a missionary who is far more down-to-earth than you would expect from her brilliant career. Initially, she was supposed to play the role of Duchess Natalia Dragomiroff (the role was eventually played by Wendy Hiller), but over the objections of those around her, she chose to play the role of the missionary. In response to Bergman's career-high performance, Sidney Lumet filmed her interrogation scene in one scene and one cut, each lasting approximately five minutes.

"Murder on the Orient Express" (c) Photofest / Getty Images

Sidney Lumet's other strategy is to have a real sense of travel. By setting the film on the Orient Express, which heads straight from Istanbul to London, it emphasizes the aspect of the film as a tourist movie where you can enjoy the exotic atmosphere. Audiences can enjoy the good old days of train travel. Let me quote Sidney Lumet's comment.

“The basic appeal of ``Murder on the Orient Express'' is not only the interesting story, but also the nostalgic feeling. It's hidden away. That's because we made it as glamorous as possible." (*3)

The score by Richard Rodney Bennett, which adds color to the "traveling" feeling, is a waltz that is not suitable for a murder case. Bernard Herrmann, the famous composer known for `` Citizen Kane '' (1941) and `` Psycho '' (60), said, ``They are traveling by train toward destruction, and we should emphasize that fact.'' However, Bennett, in line with Sidney Lumet, chooses to ``reflect the opulent, glamorous, extravagant era in his music.''

At the end of the film, the 12 passengers are acquitted and one by one celebrate in front of Lady Harriet Belinda Hubbard (Lauren Bacall) and Countess Elena Andrenyi (Jacqueline Bisset). This is probably the curtain call for the stage. As befits an all-star movie, Murder on the Orient Express ends elegantly and gorgeously.

*1 Shobunsha “Standard Film Art Hitchcock/Truffaut”

*2 the guardian

*3 D.G.A. 

Text: Rui Takeshima

A pop culture writer who wants to be kicked by Hit Girl. Host of the web magazine "POP MASTER".

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(c) Photofest / Getty Images