Murder on the Orient Express
A reminder that the Union Church Film Group will get together on Sunday April 19th at 2:00 pm in the Guild Room to screen the 1974 version of Murder on the Orient Express, which was directed by American Sidney Lumet.. Lumet, who may be best known for having directed Twelve Angry Men, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon wanted to make a more cheerful and romantic film than the gritty hard edged New York City films he made earlier, and tonight’s film was the result.
The film stars Albert Finney as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. He is supported by an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Jacqueline Bisset, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael York, and Ingrid Bergman, who won an Oscar for her performance in this film. The film has a 89% Fresh Rating, and was reviewed by NY Times critic Vincent Canby as being a “terrifically entertaining super-valentine to a kind of whodunit that may well be one of the last.’
During my commentary, I will discuss how Agatha Christie reluctantly agreed to the production of the film, and how it came to be known as one of the only two films which Dame Agatha said she liked, of all the films made from her books and plays. I will also discuss how committed Lumet was for the film to be as entertaining as he envisioned it; and the favors, friendships, and hard work which were required to make the film..
As has been usual, some of us will gather either in the Assembly or Guild Room at 115 pm to have some food before the film and chat about films and other things. Please bring your own food and beverage.
Murder on the Orient Express is 2 hours and 8 minutes long. It was filmed in Widescreen color, and will be presented with English Language Subtitles. The film is rated PG for violence.