Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

The mystery film, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), was co-produced and directed by Kenneth Branagh. Michael Green wrote the screenplay, based on Agatha Christie’s 1934 novel of the same name. It was winter in 1934 when the eccentric yet famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot traveled to the Middle East for both business and pleasure. Despite First Class being sold out during this time of year, Poirot was able to secure a cabin at the last minute thanks to his friend Bouc, who worked for the railroad and happened to be the nephew of one of its executives. This favor came in handy as Poirot had to unexpectedly leave for London due to an urgent case. Initially planning to share a cabin with Hector MacQueen, assistant to American businessman Edward Ratchett, Poirot declined Ratchett’s offer to act as his security for the trip as Ratchett suspected someone was trying to kill him. Ratchett also admitted that his business dealings were not entirely above board.

Despite initially not wanting to get involved, Poirot finds himself unable to refuse Bouc’s request. The discovery of Ratchett’s body, stabbed a dozen times in his cabin while the train is stuck in the snowy Yugoslav mountains, prompts Poirot to take on the investigation until the local police can arrive. His main motivation is to protect those who may be at risk on board. Based on the available evidence, Poirot comes to the conclusion that the murderer must be one of the few individuals traveling or working in the Calais First Class car. As he delves deeper into his investigation, Poirot uncovers that Ratchett had a past involvement in a child kidnapping case in the United States – a case that hits close to home for Poirot. This leads him to believe that Ratchett’s murder may be connected to this previous incident rather than his questionable business dealings.