And this time, they looked more deeply into Poirot's character, which, by now, had become so familiar to many millions of people through the British TV series and many individual films. They made one change in the plot toward the end that added an aspect of intrigue. The writers returned to the original story and considered the darker overtones of the novel. So, with movie rights in hand, ITV took another look at Christie's story. To say that that version was forgettable would be the kindest thing one could say about it. But in between, a 2001 modernized version of the story was made for TV and aired on CBS. Albert Finney in the lead role and more than a dozen big name screen stars of the day had presented a masterpiece on film. It was now 3½ decades since the original defining 'Orient Express' of 1974. Audiences knew Hercule Poirot only as Suchet now presented him. And, he fine-tuned his arrogant behavior with subtle, small changes as he, and the character, matured in the role over the years. Suchet had probed the depth of the character.

He had studied Poirot's appearance, his manners and mannerisms, his speech and his carriage. Suchet had played Poirot in dozens of films from Christie stories. In that time, he had delved into and dissected the character that Christie created.

This version is also superior to the 2017 remake, and although Kenneth Branagh was excellent as Poirot, David Suchet will always be Christie's famous character.īy the time that this film was made of Agatha Christie's 'Murder on the Orient Express,' David Suchet had played the role of Hercule Poirot for more than two decades. The closing scene had me in tears on the second viewing, it is truly brilliant. Poirot's summing up seems more as to what I would have believed in with Poirot, a sense of injustice. You get a true sense of claustrophobia on the train when they are marooned, and the obvious cold they would have encountered is definitely evident. David Suchet is on his A game here and gives a masterclass to the rest of the cast, he is outstanding.

I think I originally found the stoning scene a little distasteful during Christmas TV, but it's there to set the tone. Toby Jones is brilliant in the role of villain, he plays his scenes with such venom, a great actor, totally loathsome. I can imagine when they were in the pre-production stages they came up with the 'dark' theme, it's such a contrast to the movie. I have read through many of the reviews on here, it's fair to say on first viewing, which I think was Christmas time a few years ago, I didn't like it, too much of a fan of the Albert Finney fan, but on the second viewing I'll be honest I fell in love with it.

Michael pollan rules for food