David Suchet talks 'Murder on the Orient Express'

On: December 29, 2010,  By: Bill Young

Television just doesn’t get any better than this. Broadcast earlier this year as part of PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery series and recently seen as part of ITV’s Christmas Day schedule in the UK, maybe a suggestion for New Year’s Eve viewing if you haven’t seen as of yet?

David Suchet has spent a lifetime playing Agatha Christie’s masterful detective, Hercule Poirot. Suchet points out in this recent interview, he and his wife Sheila celebrated that fateful day in 1989 when he was cast by boarding the Orient Express from Paris to Calais. It only took 21 years and 64 episodes for Suchet to finally tackle the murder case that took place on that famous train. This particular adaptation also starred Dame Eileen Atkins (Upstairs Downstairs), Toby Jones, David Morrissey, and Downton Abbey’s, Hugh Bonneville.

I’ve been a big, big fan David Suchet and the Poirot series over the years. Was especially good to read in the interview that despite the physical hardships of filming, Suchet’s interest remains just like it was day one, with what he describes as a fierce dedication to the character after all these years.

Excellent news that there more to come with six Agatha Christie books remaining to be filmed with scripts being developed as we speak. As Suchet puts it, “…I won’t have closure – that horrible word – until we film his death. After that I’ll probably be in Styles myself (the old people’s home where Poirot ends his days), watching all the reruns…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHmABompt2s&

In: Action/Drama,Actors/Actresses,Locations

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  • I watched this program about the Orient Express and thoroughly enjoyed David Suchets commentary on it.

  • Loved this when I watched it earlier this year. I just might have to watch again, or at least set the DVR.

  • Rosie

    My opinion of this “ORIENT EXPRESS” is pretty low. Mind you, it possessed some virtues. The performances from Brian J. Smith, Eileen Atkins, Hugh Bonneville, Barbara Hershey and especially Denis Menochet were first-rate. There were no over-the-top costumes that left me shaking my head. And thankfully, the Hector McQueen character strongly resembled the literary version. On the other hand, the movie seemed riddled with unnecessary changes that either lacked common sense or damaged the story. Its additions of the religion topic and stoning incident simply made matters worse in regard to story and characterization. And a good deal of hammy acting abounded in the movie and made me wince with discomfort, especially from David Suchet. In short, this “MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS” turned out to be a disappointing affair for me.