The Films
Murder On the Orient Express is one of my favorite Poirot movies, and a lot of that has to do with the setting. I love the idea of an overnight train ride in Europe, during a wintry snow. They actually made a video game based off of the film several years ago in which players didn’t actually play as Poirot, but you did get to interact with him. Anyway, in this particular film, Poirot receives word that he must suddenly leave for London. A friend of his who he helped in the past insists that he take the Orient Express. During the first half hour or so of this ninety minute film, we’re introduced to a variety of characters, including this friend who manages the Orient Express. There is also an American doctor, a wealthy, gangster-like American who maintains several suspicious companions. A Russian Queen and her assistant, and several others are all introduced to us.
Of course, in classic mystery formula, this taste of each character that we’re given sets us up for the eventual “who dun it?” scenario. In this case, one of the people on the train is murdered in the middle of the night, under bizarre circumstances. A harsh snow forces the train to a grinding halt, allowing Poirot, the American doctor, and the train manager friend of Poirot’s to conduct interviews of the crew and investigations, ultimately leading to a surprising conviction. The acting and directing, as is common with Poirot films, is great. It’s a very compelling mystery from start to finish.
In Third Girl, Poirot teams up with an author of fiction. One of her friends believes she has committed a murder, but the evidence simply doesn’t support that. This young girl is depressed, and mentally fragile after a harsh childhood in which she found her mother dead in a bathtub, from apparent suicide. Somehow, many years later, she finds her former nanny dead in bed, in a similar, apparent suicide.
Unlike most people in the area, Poirot is not convinced that it was a suicide, nor is he convinced that this woman committed the murder. He realizes that something foul is at play here, and some people from her past have recreated and triggered a trauma that would make her convince her own self that she was behind the act. Strained relationships, old and new, deceit, and a classic Poirot explanation to all involved await here. This is a solid Poirot film, but I wouldn’t go as far as to rank it as one of my favorites.
Finally, movie number three is Appointment With Death. In this film, Poirot goes out to an archaeological dig site in the Syrian desert. We’re introduced to several characters before ‘the act’ is committed and Poirot gets to work. The most obvious target this time is a shrewd old woman who is married to Tim Curry’s character, the man running the large dig site. She is a hated woman by many for her stubborn insistence that everything be done her way. It’s really a site to see. Even her children dislike her and plan to do something about it. But it’s not so simple as that as we discover. Never fear, Poirot is here.
The DVD Set
All three films are presented in full screen with closed caption support. They look and sound just fine, no complaints. Keep in mind these films were made several years ago for broadcast television. As for extra features, there aren’t many, but what’s included seems like enough. Expect about forty-seven minutes of features. All forty-seven minutes are contained within the “David Suchet On the Orient Express” feature that is on the Murder On the Orient Express DVD. In this feature, David Suchet — as himself, not Poirot, which is quite jarring if you haven’t seen him for real before — gives us a tour and historical recount of the famous train. Seeing Suchet out of character is strange; gone is the mustache, the accent, the impeccable attire. It’s different, but he’s an enjoyable host nonetheless.
Other features include “120 Years With Agatha Christie,” which lists all Poirot books. Filmographies for several actors is also included.
The DVD set comes packaged in brightly colored red box with a prolific photo of Poirot on the cover. The individual slim DVD cases slide out on the right side of the case.
With that, lets get to the summary…