Murder on the Orient express (1974)

Director - Stan Lumet
Stars: Ingrid Bergman, Bacall, Widmark, Tony Perkins, Martin Balsom, Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney. Wendy Hiller, Gielgud

Story: When a passenger is murdered, Belgium Detective Poirot must find the Killer using only his wits. Based on the 1934 Agatha Christie Novel.

Even with low expectations this was a disappointment. The movie took too long to get started (the first murder occurs 25 minutes in) and seems a lethargic 2 hours and 8 minutes. The acting was uneven, Bacall was a mediocre, lifeless Mrs. Hubbard (Hepburn, Davis, or Page would've done wonders with the role), Balsam sports an absurd French accent (Balsam was always unbelievable as a non-American, cf: Hombre), and Perkins was very bland. As usual, the ensemble's British and foreign actors outclass the hapless Americans, the only exception being Widmark. Since there's no real suspense or sense of danger the dialogue and direction needed more zest. Bergman is good, but her Oscar win is inexplicable. The endless shots of the train were very dull.

Summary: A flabby, mediocre adaptation of a very enjoyable whodunit. I say with sadness, read the book instead. **1/2