Murder on the Orient Express UHD Review

Branagh's 'Murder' in UHD is Beautiful

Branagh brings a real energy and lush flavor to his adaptation of one of author Agatha Christie’s most treasured stories. A dazzling production with a terrific, if under-exploited cast, the film is wonderfully staged. While it doesn’t reach perfection, and stumbles occasionally, it’s a promising start to a potential film series with Branagh as Poirot. Domestic and international box office receipts for the film totaled $350MM on a $55MM budget. That augurs well for more period-set murder-mysteries on the big screen.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Released: 10 Nov 2017
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 114 min
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Cast: Paapa Essiedu, Yassine Zeroual, Asan N'Jie, Michael Rouse
Writer(s): Michael Green (screenplay by), Agatha Christie (based upon the novel by)
Plot: When a murder occurs on the train he's travelling on, celebrated detective Hercule Poirot is recruited to solve the case.
IMDB rating: 6.7
MetaScore: 52

Disc Information
Studio: Fox
Distributed By: N/A
Video Resolution: 2160p HEVC w/HDR
Aspect Ratio: 2.39.1
Audio: Dolby Atmos, English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, Spanish 5.1 DD, French 5.1 DD, Other
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 1 Hr. 54 Min.
Package Includes: UHD, Blu-ray, Digital Copy
Case Type: Standard with Slip Sleeve
Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: A
Release Date: 02/27/2018
MSRP: $19.41

The Production: 3.5/5

“You know, there is something about a tangle of strangers pressed together for days with nothing in common but the need to go from one place to another and never see each other again.”

World-renowned detective, Hercule Poirot, upon solving a crime in Jerusalem, receives a telegram requesting his services in Istanbul. He finds accommodation aboard the luxurious Orient Express, a train that will take him and an eclectic collection of passengers to their destination through the mountains. When the train is delayed by a snowstorm one of the passengers is found murdered. Every one of Poirot’s fellow passengers is a reasonable suspect; the governess (Daisy Ridley), the doctor (Leslie Odom, Jr.), the professor (Willem Dafoe), the princess (Judi Dench) and her maid (Olivia Colman), the missionary (Penelope Cruz), the widow (Michelle Pfeiffer), the gangster (Johnny Depp), his butler (Derek Jacobi) and his assistant (Josh Gad), an entrepreneur (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), and the count (Sergei Polunin) and countess (Lucy Boynton). While the train is stuck, Hercule Poirot has a chance to solve the difficult case before the track has been cleared.

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express was first published in the United Kingdom in 1934 to high praise. A delightful, perfect setting for a murderous crime and for Christie’s astute, erudite, and polished detective with an ample-ego, a perfect match. The confines of the travelling train, the late night murder where the murderer, by way of isolated settings, must be among the remaining passengers, makes for a compelling entertainment. So, while this story has been visited many times by many productions, it’s an understandable choice to remake for the big screen. Though Agatha Christie would, late in her career, grow tired and even resent her world-beloved Belgian detective, it is stories like Murder on the Orient Express that remind us why this detective is such a delight to watch. Presented with a mystery, a myriad of suspects, and little time to solve it, there’s fun in watching Poirot read the responses and lies of the suspects, and arrange the truth for us to enjoy.

For this latest adaptation of Murder, a good cast has been assembled, many of whom have worked before with the film’s director and star, Kenneth Branagh. Of the large cast, Johnny Depp stands out with a strong but brief presence as the unseemly gangster, Edward Pratchett. Josh Gad also stands out as MacQueen, assistant to Pratchett. Michelle Pfeiffer’s boisterous Caroline Hubbard is another notable performance in a string of notably performances of late (most recently, her turn in Aronofsky’s divisive mother!). The young Daisy Ridley holds her own well, and Leslie Odom, Jr., who recently won deserving praise for his performance in Hamilton on Broadways, delivers one of the film’s best performances, too.

Adaptations of Murder on the Orient Express often thrive on the quality of the cast, and while this version assembles a good one, opportunities to showcase them fully are missed. Branagh pulls back the cover on too few. The aforementioned actors delivering notable performances aside, the remaining characters feel a little shortchanged. In particular is Olivia Colman’s Hildegarde Schmidt, who serves as Princess Dragomiroff’s (Judi Dench) quiet assistant. A few more scenes with the under-served characters, and a little added to the running time, would have made a difference here.

Kenneth Branagh’s eye for a sumptuous production is a fine fit for this tale. A lavish adaptation, directed with meticulousness and care, along with nice flourishes and some very well-choreographed moments. The opening sequence, not connected to the primary plot, is a clever primer on what we can expect from the famous detective. A fun moment for those of us deeply familiar with the detective, and a rather good foundational introduction for those who might be meeting him for the first time. Branagh’s craft is on full display, and while he has always been comfortable starring in films he directs, it remains impressive to see a detailed production and fine performance born from the same artist.

Branagh’s Murder on the Orient Express is the kind of cinema I hope to see more of. It’s the kind of cinema we need to see more of; adult-oriented tales, wonderful production values, engaged casts, and nary a superhero or robot fighting to be found (and, to be honest, I enjoy those movies too, but yearn for more balance). And despite the flaws, such as the steps away from the root material that work in some ways and trips in others, the film is a compelling watch.

Branagh has lofty shoes to fill. He’s following in the footsteps of actors like David Suchet’s near-universally loved portrayal, and one of my favorites, Albert Finney’s turn as the mustached master in Sidney Lumet’s 1974’s film. There are many other filmed performances by different actors, fifteen or so, who have sought to bring Agatha Christie’s character to life. With more installments on the big screen where Branagh assumes the role, he too could becoming a favorite. His precise portrayal, with piercing, evaluating stares, and insufferable yet enchanting mannerisms and quirks, is fun to watch. I, for one look forward to seeing how more deep he can become Poirot.

Video: 5/5

3D Rating: NA

Where the Blu-ray release was superb looking, on UHD, Fox’s Murder on the Orient Express is spectacular.

Filmed in 65mm, it was finished at 4K digital intermediary and provided an exquisite dose of HDR10 that makes the already terrific colors an even more positive vibrancy. There is something electric about the colors. Flesh tones are natural, fine detail is exquisite – even more precise than the already wonderful Blu-ray release. Shadow detail is remains excellent and contrast is just delightful overall.

Watching this film again, this time in UHD 4K, I marveled at the delightful production and the rich and deep colors and contrast. Outside of seeing this on the biggest cinema screen possible, the UHD release is the way to watch this film.

Audio: 5/5

Special Features: 0/5

The UHD disc only comes with one special feature, the audio commentary. So while the score for the UHD disc on extra’s would be a 1 or 1.5, the accompanying Blu-ray disc has the rest of the special features that came with the Blu-ray release. Those features are described below:

A better than expected collection of special features with a little of everything. Behind the scenes views, some interesting interviews (with Agatha Christie decedents), a healthy batch of deleted scenes, and an informative commentary track by director/star Kenneth Branagh and screenwriter Michael Green.

While there is a look at the large format filming process, I would have welcomed a dedicated feature on it. The theatrical trailer is also included. I’m rather fond of the unexpected, contemporary flavor of the trailer which I have to believe helped pique the interest of otherwise potentially uninterested newcomers.

Available on the UHD

  • Director commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green

Available on the Blu-ray

 

  • Agatha Christie: An Intimate Portrait
  • Let’s Talk About Hercule Poirot
  • Unusual Suspects (Part One, Two and Three)
  • The Art of Murder
  • All Aboard: Filming Murder on the Orient Express
  • Music of Murder
  • Deleted Scenes (with and without Commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green)
  • Alternate Opening
  • Newsreel (Extended)
  • Breakfast
  • Hotel Check-In
  • Arasta Bazaar (Extended)
  • Train Montage
  • Departure
  • Poirot Bedtime Rituals (with two alternates)
  • Pierre Michel Interview
  • Luggage
  • Dreamscape
  • Director commentary by Kenneth Branagh and Michael Green
  • Theatrical Trailers
  • Gallery

Overall: 4/5

Branagh brings a real energy and lush flavor to his adaptation of one of author Agatha Christie’s most treasured stories. A dazzling production with a terrific, if under-exploited cast, the film is wonderfully staged. While it doesn’t reach perfection, and stumbles occasionally, it’s a promising start to a potential film series with Branagh as Poirot. Domestic and international box office receipts for the film totaled $350MM on a $55MM budget. That augurs well for more period-set murder-mysteries on the big screen.

Fans of the film set up of 4K will want to add this to their collection. The handsome HDR10 grading plus the exclusive Dolby Atmos track add audio and video oomph on top of an already wonderful Blu-ray release.

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