When Murder on the Orient Express was first published in 1934, it caused quite a stir amongst critics. Its ingenious twist ending (no spoilers here!) challenged conventional mystery tropes and introduced a moral quandary that left readers debating long after the final page. While some reviewers found the resolution too controversial, the public embraced the novel, making it an instant commercial success.
It’s fascinating to consider that the same story continues to inspire fresh adaptations and interpretations over 90 years later.
This month over at Five Books For, we’ve been talking about great audiobooks, which have come a long way since they were first developed to assist visually impaired people in the 1930s, with a huge range of titles, narrators and even full cast drama productions becoming more and more popular as audiobooks have grown so rapidly that they are now the fastest-growing part of the publishing industry.
There are quite a few different adaptations of Murder On The Orient Express, but today I’ll be focusing on the Audible full cast audio drama, which provides an immersive and deeply engaging listening experience, and the Kenneth Branagh film version from 2017, which is visually striking and spectacularly dramatic.
There is something deeply satisfying about a great audiobook, and the award-winning Audible full cast production is absolutely brilliant to listen to, with great acting and atmospheric sound design (much of which was, interestingly, recorded on the actual Orient Express) which really brings the story to life.
There are some great actors involved, including Sophie Okenedo and Tom Conti. One of the benefits of having a full cast of actors is the opportunity it affords to have them interacting during the recording, which means that the pace is always exciting and the tension maintained as the story progresses, with the inflections and pauses taking on more life than you might find in a traditionally-narrated audiobook.
This version is faithful to the original text, which I appreciate in audio productions. While there’s a time and place for adaptations which make changes, for the most part when I listen to an audiobook I want it to capture the experience of reading the print version without missing essential details.
Murder On The Orient Express features the inimitable Hercule Poirot (interestingly, the only fictional character ever to have an obituary in the New York Times) and is one of Christie’s most beloved books, not only for its ingenious solution but also for its depth of characterisation and the location – the luxury and beauty of a snowbound sleeper train, which provides both a dramatic setting and a way to isolate the characters so that everyone becomes a suspect.
The claustrophobia of being stuck on a train, no matter how opulent, with a murderer amongst your small group, heightens the tension and suspense of the novel and allows Christie to provide a depth of backstory and characterisation that adds to the enjoyment by forcing Poirot to examine each character and their behaviour closely.
While we know that the murderer must be amongst our relatively small group of characters, Christie is an expert at including both clues and red herrings to keep us guessing at the solution all the way until the end.
The plotting and writing is both intricate and tight, so that nothing is wasted or bloated
This is also one of Poirot’s finest outings, where his precise, methodical approach and insights into human nature are given the chance to shine. Watching him navigate the lies, motivations, hidden identities and alibis of the group on the train is a joy for any lover of detective fiction, as is the way in which Christie builds compelling and credible motives for each suspect despite their very different backgrounds and personalities. The plotting and writing is both intricate and tight, so that nothing is wasted or bloated.
The questions the book raises about justice, revenge and morality add an extra dimension to the novel beyond the pleasure of solving the mystery.
If you love classic detective fiction, great mysteries or even just reading books which are classics of their own genre, then this is the perfect read/listen. Anyone who loves great storytelling with tight, suspenseful plotting and great characterisation, regardless of genre, will love it too, and if you love a puzzle then this is truly one of the best.
Equally, if you love stories with moral depth and complexity, there’s plenty of that too. Murder on the Orient Express is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a richly atmospheric, intellectually engaging, and morally complex mystery.
While the audiobook version is immersive and engaging, Kenneth Branagh’s 2017 film adaptation delivers a visually striking, action-packed interpretation of the same mystery that manages to feel completely different. The film has lots of dramatic flair which makes it very entertaining to watch but it is further away from the source text, with some plot points changed and various action sequences added.
It’s a lot of fun to watch and well worth your time, although I would definitely recommend reading the book or listening to the audio version first.
It also has an absolutely star-studded cast, with Branagh starring as Poirot and also including Dame Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Penélope Cruz, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe. The sets, art and wardrobe design are meticulously researched and lavishly fashioned, with lots of grand cinematography and visual effects which make the film a real feast for the eyes.
Branagh’s portrayal of Poirot attracted mixed reviews when the movie was released and while he’s not my favourite Poirot (personally I love the levity and charm that Peter Ustinov brings to the role), he is very entertaining and really makes the most of Poirot’s quirks. I think with a character like Poirot who is so beloved but also stars in so many books, there’s enough space for varying interpretations that each bring something different to the table. Apparently the moustache alone took months of discussion to get right, with Branagh wanting the moustache to be over the top without being ridiculous – a fine line to walk – and sparked lots of debate amongst fans as to whether it was too much, as did his performance.
His take on Poirot is both more action-oriented and also more emotional and vulnerable than we’ve previously seen. We still see the logical, reasoning side of Poirot but Branagh adds personal depth as well as some backstory to the role which resonates with the book’s themes of justice and morality.
It must have been really tricky to both direct and star in the film; it can’t be easy to switch between your character (especially when you’re in so many scenes) and your directing role.
The whole film is a bold, larger-than-life interpretation of the book – huge fun to watch, very entertaining and beautifully filmed with some great acting. It’s not pure Christie, at least to my eyes, but it’s a very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Have you read, listened to or watched Murder On The Orient Express? We’d love to hear your thoughts on our social channels.