Watch Ten Little Indians
- NR
- 1965
- 1 hr 31 min
-
6.6 (5,375)
Ten Little Indians is a 1965 suspense thriller, directed by George Pollock, based on the eponymous 1939 best-selling novel by Agatha Christie. The film stars an ensemble cast featuring Hugh O'Brian, Shirley Eaton, Fabian, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Dennis Price, Marianne Hoppe, Leo Genn, Daliah Lavi, and Mario Adorf. The plot revolves around ten strangers who receive invitations to a remote mansion on a desolate island off the coast of Devon. Upon arriving, they are greeted by their host, who strangely remains absent. As they get acquainted with each other, it becomes apparent that they all have some dark secrets that someone among them is trying to expose. As they settle in, one of the guests is mysteriously murdered. Then, a framed copy of the nursery rhyme "Ten Little Indians" is discovered in each of their rooms, counting down the murders to come. With no access to the mainland until a boat arrives by next week, they must try to stay alive while discovering the identity of the murderer among them.
The characters in the movie are well-developed and diverse, providing a deep and multifaceted story. Each character has a problem or a secret that compels them to have been part of this gathering on this remote island. Fabian plays Mike Raven, a pop star who had to flee the country to avoid a scandal involving drugs. Wilfrid Hyde-White plays Judge Cannon, who is notorious for his harsh sentences and is trying to escape the wrath of his former inmates. Daliah Lavi plays Ilona Bergen, a movie star haunted by the death of her husband. Stanley Holloway plays William Henry Blore, a retired detective. The rest of the cast portrays various roles like a young secretary, a doctor, a retired army general, and a playboy.
The suspenseful plot provides the audience with many twists as the plot unravels. Shot in a remote mansion with a few outdoor shots, the film contributes to its haunting sense of isolation and eerie atmosphere. The visual storytelling technique used in the film creates a sense of dread that permeates throughout the movie. The use of music, sound effects, and camera angles builds an unsettling and claustrophobic tone.
The film's murder mystery plot is brilliantly crafted, keeping the audience guessing as to who the murderer is until the last possible moment. As the characters become suspicious of one another and alliances are made and dissolved, it is never clear who is behind the murders, leading to many false leads and red herrings. The script for the film is dense, and all of the characters get their share of suspicion and spotlight, which is a credit to both the director and the screenwriter.
The production of the movie is impressively realized with highly detailed art direction, set design, stunning costumes, and makeup. The sets are exquisitely crafted, adding to the atmosphere of isolation and foreboding, and the costume designs are beautifully executed, providing striking visuals that contribute to the film's aesthetics.
Overall, Ten Little Indians is an excellently executed film noir thriller, with a highly suspenseful plot, brilliant acting, and an immersive atmosphere. The storytelling is brilliant, which successfully adapts Agatha Christie's story to the big screen. The film's twist ending is sure to leave the audience in awe and shows the film's meticulous attention to detail that is carried throughout the film.
Ten Little Indians is a 1965 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.