Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation. Not bad. big name stars. Not bad. Somehow the Orient Express, that opulently cozy romantic train is less so in this version. That was all part of the wonderful package of Agatha Christie's book and later the David Suchet movies. Glad that Branagh did not reduce Poirot to the lecherous old goat level of Ustinov. Or make him a buffoon. But what is with that mustache? I will overlook that, considering the fact that he did an overall good job. Except when he giggled like some idiot  while reading his book. And when he grew inordinately pensive and yearning looking at the picture of a lost love. Needless to say Poirot was not like that. He was dignified in every way. Those things irked me as did the pervasive grays. Realistic maybe, but why not be realistic when it comes to the character too? nd the unnecessary twists and turns in the end! And the nominal black guy! Granted this book does have an American connection. Unlike some others where they simply add one to pander to the American viewer, and the most sacrilegious of all - making Poirot a religious fanatic. Thankfully not so much of that in this one. Actually I dont remember.

On "Murder at the Gallop" (1963)

Margaret Rutherford

Joan Hickson

David Suchet

All those involved in the making of this movie have to be congratulated -- they did a fine job of murdering Miss Marple, Agatha Christie, and Poirot, all at once! Done them all in properly! Not at all satisfied with changing a Poirot story into a Marple one, the makers had to make a mockery of Marple. I had to watch a Joan Hickson - Marple  movie to get  rid of the frustratingly disgusted, disappointed feelings that this farcical circus of a movie left in my mind. The character of Miss Marple has been completely turned upside down and trampled on by the character that the venerable Rutherford plays. Marple was not a strutting, bragging, condescending female Sherlock (though I like the eccentric  Holmes). She was a dignified spinster who kept a low profile while calmly and surely solving cases through shrewd observation and knowledge of human nature. She never bragged or climbed over stuff to peep in through windows. They could have made a mystery with Rutherford, or say, Ustinov -- it would not make a difference for those who never read an Agatha Christie mystery. But please do not call them Marple or Poirot. Hickson and Suchet are the only actors who knew the soul and the spirit of those characters. But then, it is sad to note that  in the recent Poirot movies, Poirot has suddenly become fanatically Catholic! Unforgiving and railing against immorality! The humaneness of Christie's Poirot is one of his admirable and endearing qualities! Just as calmness and dignity are some of the qualities of Miss Marple.  A dear sweet old lady who appears quite laid back and almost apologetic for intruding. Modest, utterly feminine, and not hurtfully judgemental. Not at all loud or manly or acrobatic!!! Or sexily clad in strappy dresses and doing the twist!! Notthat there is anything wrong with all that. But that it just isn't Marple.