This was a gift for a friend who is an avid reader and Agatha Christie fan. She said it's a great movie - it only received 4 stars, however, because of the age of the film and the resultant film quality discrepancy.

Murder on the Orient Express is the first Christie novel I read, and I believe it is the best Christie novel ever... After reading almost all Poirot books and seeing all Hercule Poirot adaptations(starring David Suchet), I think Albert Finney had none of the characteristics of Poirot. He is not well dressed, he is not clever, he is not anything that Poirot was...I think Finney and the director should have read some of Christie novels.
For the movie, I should say that the cast is superb, scenes are very good for its time.
Overall; I am no movie critic, but there were few thing good about this movie and they were spoiled by Albert Finney...

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient ExpressThis is one of the best mystery movies.

Of all the big-production Agatha Christie Murder Movies, this is to my mind, the best. We are drawn in by the exotic scenery and the stellar cast. It is rich in texture and a true beauty.

Don't ask me why. I think a gloomy rainy day makes the movie feel spookier. I love love love this movie. I've never gotten into any of the other Poirot movies, so to me this is the one and only. I adore Albert Finney as Poirot. I know there's been some discussion about his accent, but honestly I don't know if I even know what a Belgian accent even sounds like to begin with so it doesn't bother me.

The opening scene where you see the kidnapping taking place still spooks me. Sometimes I even fast forward through it a little, just because the music creeps me out. I think the cast of this movie is brilliant. Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, etc. All Hollywood legends. I particularly like Vanessa Redgrave in this. She was so good at being evasive and batting her eyes at the same time. Like in the scene where Poirot is getting frustrated with her and begins yelling, I almost want to slap her. She's that good. Everyone is just fantastic in this. I really like the story itself too. Revenge, yet for a noble reason. I won't say anymore than that, though. The ending where the murder is explained is chilling. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to settle in on a cold or stormy night and just be entertained.