Watch Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express is a classic crime film directed by Sidney Lumet and released in 1974. The movie is based on the popular novel of the same name by Agatha Christie, which was published in 1934. The film stars a distinguished cast of actors including Albert Finney, Lauren Bacall, and Ingrid Bergman, among others. The story of the movie is set on board the luxurious Orient Express, a majestic train that travels from Istanbul to Calais. The year is 1935, and the train is full of aristocrats, diplomats and other wealthy people, who are all heading to various destinations in Europe. The main character of the movie is Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney), a world-renowned detective who boards the train in Istanbul.

As the train makes its way across Europe, Poirot finds himself in the middle of a murder case. One of the passengers, a wealthy American named Samuel Ratchett (Richard Widmark), is found dead in his compartment, stabbed to death with multiple wounds. Poirot is asked by the director of the train line (Martin Balsam), who happens to be an old friend, to solve the case.

With the help of his incredible detective skills, Poirot quickly discovers that almost all the passengers on the train had a motive to kill the wealthy American. The list of suspects includes a Russian princess (Ingrid Bergman), an aristocratic couple (Vanessa Redgrave and Michael York), a famous Hollywood actress (Lauren Bacall), a German professor (Anthony Perkins), and many others.

As Poirot delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a tangled web of lies, deceit, and hidden agendas. The plot thickens as the detective pieces together the clues and interrogates the suspects. He begins to realize that the truth behind the murder is far more complicated than he initially thought. As the train speeds through Europe and the snow-covered countryside, Poirot races against time to uncover the killer's identity before they get away with the perfect murder.

The movie is a brilliant adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic crime novel. The plot is cleverly constructed and executed with great attention to detail. The performances by the all-star cast are excellent, particularly Albert Finney's portrayal of the fastidious and eccentric detective, Hercule Poirot. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, which he richly deserved.

One of the film's most memorable moments is the stunning performance by Ingrid Bergman as the Russian princess. Her role is a departure from her usual characters, and she delivers a moving and emotional performance that earned her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her famous line, "I am a missionary, and I want to do some good in the world," has become one of the most famous quotes in film history.

The movie's production design is also noteworthy, as the Orient Express train is beautifully recreated, and the snowy landscapes of Europe are breathtakingly captured on celluloid. The train interiors, in particular, are sumptuously decorated, showcasing the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy passengers.

Overall, Murder on the Orient Express is a classic thriller that remains a defining moment in the genre. Its intricate plot, stellar performances and impressive production values make it a must-watch for fans of crime movies. The film is a tribute to Agatha Christie's legacy and showcases the best of Hollywood's storytelling capabilities.

Murder on the Orient Express is a 1974 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 63.