And Then There Were None
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Movie Reviews of And Then There Were None
Movie Review: Rene Clair's "And Then There Were None" - A First Rate Black Comedy
Summary: 5 Stars
This charming, old school black comedy is loosely based upon Agatha Christie's classic psychological novel thriller, in which a mysterious serial killer eliminates nine seemingly normal people on isolated Indian Island off the English coast over the course of a long weekend. In the novel, due to their own secrets, the house party is ultimately doomed by the killer's sinister interpretation of the classic nursery rhyme, "Ten Little Indians." Hence, the book's original British title, "And Then There Were None," is utterly fitting.
However, this 1945 Hollywood film adaptation's origins come directly from the novel's altered stage version, in which Ms. Christie deliberately added some breezy spots of comic mischief to liven up the macabre plot. Hence, the play and this film share the decidedly different ending that conflicts with the novel. As Ms. Christie intended, it's up to you to decide which conclusion is truly better.
Starring in this film are some superb, older character actors, such as Barry Fitzgerald as the tortoise-like Judge Quincannon; Walter Huston as the sleazy Dr. Armstrong; Judith Anderson as the self-righteous spinster, Emily Brent; as well as charismatic romantic leads Louis Hayward as nonchalant mercenary Phillip Lombard and June Duprez as willowy Vera Claythorne. Among the other actors, Mischa Auer perhaps stands out best as the sloshed Nikita Starlov (aka the novel's Anthony Marston), whose occupation, as Auer amusedly puts it, is a "professional guest." Hence, there are eight guests and two servants at the mysterious U.N. Owen's bidding on Indian Island for perhaps the final weekend of their lives.
The mix of classic black & white suspense (including its campy but still eerie musical score) well- balanced with surprisingly cheerful repartee (often initiated by the amiable Hayward) that director Rene Clair creates with this movie is nothing short of fantastic. Without reading the book, most viewers will clearly be baffled by the dwindling number of suspects and no tangible solution in sight. While the upbeat final few seconds of the movie may ring false, it's still a classic Hollywood ending to a film truly worth re-discovering sixty-five years later.
Rating: 10/10 - Although there have been three increasingly worse remakes since, the original still remains by far the best (at least, it has the vital element of surprise!).
Movie Review: A worthy Christie adaptation.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a big Agatha Christie fan, but most movies made from her books are disappointing. This one is not, however. The suspense is really good, and it's actually a very witty movie. One would think that it would be hard to laugh at a movie that has several murders in it, but you will find yourself doing just that on more than one occasion.
While there are no Clark Gable or Cary Grant-level stars in this, if you like old movies you will recognize almost everyone. It has many character actors that do a great job overall. In reality, I would say the only weak spot about this movie is the fact that the quality of the sound and picture isn't very good. It is an old movie that has not been remastered, so it is slightly distracting on that level at times. Overall, though, the quality of the movie itself removes those concerns.
As for the extras on this DVD, I laughed out loud at a couple of them. They are quite ridiculous, really, but very, very amusing. One of the extras is a movie quiz about "And Then There Were None." There are about five questions that are really easy multiple choice questions. The amusing part comes when you get one wrong! Also, there are some "movie bloopers" included. Unfortunately, they are not bloopers from this movie, but they are amusing nonetheless--especially the first one!
Movie Review: Classic English Mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
Agatha Christie was known for original mysteries with unexpected solutions and this mystery is no exception. She did a book first and then a play utilizing the same plot, but with an altered ending. The movie is based on her play which has a more upbeat ending than the book and, in my opinion, is more enjoyable, but the basic mystery with the surprise ending remains.
The director, wisely, has added light touches so we're not just watching people getting killed, but the mystery and suspense are still central to the movie. An added inducement to enjoyment is the use of the top character actors of the time in most of the roles. Romance is provided by June Duprez who was well known in England, but whose career in Hollywood was brief (her manager overpriced her), and Louis Hayward, the epitome of the sophisticated, worldly Englishman.
Ten people are invited by an unknown (UN Owen) host to an isolated house on an island with no means of escape once their boat departs, and one by one they're being killed. Who is the killer (after all he or she is isolated on the island, too) and will anyone escape? This movie is well-acted, suspenseful, with a truly surprise ending,.
If you like mysteries, great acting, and wonderful movies, put on the tea kettle and enjoy.
Movie Review: And Then There Were Less Than a Few
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favourite films, René Clair's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (1945) is not only based on one of Agatha Christie's best novels, but it has a wonderful "large house" set, and a superb "who's who" ensemble cast.
Walter Huston is generally the hands-down favourite, but I also like Roland Young and Richard Haydn (the voice of the caterpillar in Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND). The cast also includes Barry Fitzgerald, Mischa Auer, C. Aubrey Smith, and Judith Anderson, among others.
Clair fills the film with visual style, and the Dudley Nichols screenplay has some very good moments:
Emily Brent: Very stupid to kill the only servant in the house. Now we don't even know where to find the marmalade.
Rogers (the Butler): Never in my life have I been accused of any crime, sir - and if that's what you think of me, I shan't serve any dinner.
And my favourite:
Dr. Edward G. Armstrong: No sane person would ever think of using seaweed as a pattern for a shawl!
By no means a scary film, rather a fun, light romp through the world of Agatha Christie. In my opinion, one of the best Christie film adaptations. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: "THE" CLASSIC CHRISTIE FILM.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ten people - who are strangers to each other - are invited to Indian Island by an unseen host. The guests strangely "die off" one by one, and their deaths seem to follow suit & are vaguely similar to an old children's nursery rhyme.........This movie is a great adaptation of Agatha Christie's TEN LITTLE INDIANS, which is generally considered to be her finest novel. The actors fit their character roles brilliantly, with Dame Judith Anderson standing out as Emily Brent who wonders whether the "eggs are fresh". June Duprez is surprisingly modern in her playing, rather like a forties version of Diana Rigg (a'la THE AVENGERS). Walter Huston and Barry Fitzgerald are a most fascinating duo who SEEM to be "in cahoots" with each other. Richard Hadyn possessed one of the most comically unique voices of any actor in films; he and Mischa Auer give the film its best comical moments. The film is unfortunately a bit house-bound but it's VERY atmospheric due to Rene Claire's special touch.