Ten Little Indians
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Movie Reviews of Ten Little Indians
Movie Review: The butler did it!! Or did he??
Summary: 4 Stars
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10 little Indians went out to dine
1 choked on his little self and then there were 9
9 little Indians staying up quite late
1 ran away and then there were 8
8 little Indians travelling to Heaven
1 met a pussycat and then there were 7
7 little Indians chopping up sticks
The chopper finished 1 of them and then there were 6
6 little Indians playing with the hive
A bumble bee stung 1 and then there were 5
5 little Indians going in for law
1 got chancery and then there were 4
4 little Indians feeling all at sea
A red herring swallowed 1 and then there were 3
3 little Indians walking in the zoo
A big bear hugged 1 and then there were 2
2 little Indians sitting in the sun
1 gets all frizzled up and then there was 1
1 little Indian boy left all alone
So he went out and hanged himself and then there were none.
The above poem is the idea behind this murder mystery/thriller movie. This is the second movie version of (Dame) Agatha Christie's novel "And Then There Were None" (1939).
Although this version's background story is the same as the first movie version (ten people invited to a stranded area by a mysterious stranger and murdered in accordance to the lines in a children`s poem), this one takes place in a mansion that's on an isolated snowy mountain. This version is also the first adaptation of the novel to show the murders on screen. (The mansion used in the movie was a famous one located in Rush, North County, Dublin in Ireland. It no longer exists.)
Who are these ten invited guests? They are:
1. Engineer Hugh Lombard (Hugh O'Brian)
2. Secretary Ann Clyde (Shirley Eaton)
3. Singer Mike Raven (Fabian)
4. General Sir John Mandrake (Leo Genn)
5. Detective William Blore (Stanley Holloway)
6. Judge Arthur Cannon (Wilfred Hyde-White)
7. Actress Ilona Berger (Daliah Lavi)
8. Dr. Edward Armstrong (Dennis Price)
9. Maid Elsa Grohmann (Marianne Hoppe)
10. Butler Joseph Grohmann (Mario Adorf)
(Note that the recorded voice of the mysterious stranger who invited these guests {who has the appropriate name of "U.N. Owen"} is the voice of Christopher Lee.)
Purists may not like this adaptation as it was altered to fit the attitude of the "swinging sixties." Examples include changing the character of the spinster into a glamorous actress and adding much more action to compliment the mystery such as a fight scene and even a bedroom scene.
As well, the ending was changed to a less pessimistic one, borrowing heavily from the upbeat finale Christie wrote for the stage version of this story.
All the actors do a good job in their roles but I felt that Hugh O'Brian, Shirley Eaton (the Bond girl painted gold in the movie "Goldfinger"), Wilfred Hyde-White, and Stanley Holloway did very good jobs. Some people don't like Fabian's character. But he's supposed to be obnoxious. Fabian does a good job of singing the lines of the above poem.
The DVD itself (the one released in 2006) has good audio. The picture has occasional flaws but they are not distracting. There are two extras, one being a "whodunit intermission."
Finally, the only real problem (there are some minor ones) I had with this movie was the jazzy background music that occasionally plays. Although it sounds good, it did not seem to belong in a movie of this type.
In conclusion, this is an interesting adaptation of Agatha Christie's most famous novel!!
(1965; 1 hr, 30 min.; black and white; wide screen; 24 scenes)
<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>
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Movie Review: Ten Murders: Justice Unjust
Summary: 4 Stars
Ten crimes committed, justice was ignored or flawed. You will wonder, who is Mr. Owen? Watch the film, and you will find out. This film was made in the 1960's, and it is called 10 Little Indians. This film is of the mystery \ suspense genre. The movie is based on the poem: The Ten Little Indians. The writer, Agatha Cristi, was a master of suspense during her lifetime. George Pollock directed the movie, which is worth watching, if you have nothing better to do.
The story begins with eight of the main characters, Mr. Raven, Hugh Lumbarge, Anne Clyde, General Mandrake, the Judge, Vera, and the Doctor. They were all invited to a mansion who is owned by a man named Mr. Owen. The two other main characters are already there, they are Frav Groman and Edna Groman, the Butlers. The Butlers showed them to their room. Soon after, dinner started. Mr. Owen had not arrived. At dinner, all of the characters discussed why Mr. Owen had not arrived. After dinner, Mr. Raven had gotten drunk. As the poem says, one went and chocked his little self, and then there were nine. He had been poisoned. After that, a tape played that accused all of the nine left main characters of crimes that they committed. I will not reveal if they actually did commit the crime, but if you watch the film, you will find out.
The next person to die did not die according to the poem, the butlers wife tries to escape on the cable car, but the cable was cut and it snapped, sending her to her death. The butler was devastated at this news. They then search the basement for Mr. Owen, but then the general gets stabbed. Soon following these events, a fight breaks out between the Butler and Lumbarge. Lumbarge wins, and the butler gives up. He tries to climb down the mountain and the line gets cut, sending him to his death. Then, Vera was stabbed by a needle, poisoned and killed. That is as far as the plot that I am going to tell you.
My rating of this movie would be a 4 out of 5. This movie is a great movie of its time period. If you are into old black and white mystery genera movies, than you will like this movie. It was the first movie with a who-done-it break.
The acting is kind of corny, like when Vera is stabbed by the needle, she does not even yell. And when Raven was choking he just fell and died really quick without making much noise. My favorite character was Mr. Raven. He had no conscience, he just kept drinking until he died.
If this movie was in color, if it was a little more realistic (Bodies and blood in fight scene) and some special effects, then it would be an even better movie than it already is.
Movie Review: Ten Little Indians
Summary: 4 Stars
Dudley Nichols based his screenplay on the 1939 story by Agatha Christie. Under George Pollock`s direction we have a story of ten strangers lured to a mountain castle. Actually, two of them are married to each other.
The only mode of transportation to the top of the mountain is a cable car. Hanging on a thread takes on new meaning in this film.
You have a great cast-Mario Adorf, Shirley Eaton, Fabian, Leo Glenn, Stanley Holloway, Marianne Hoppe, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Daliah Lavi, Hugh O'Brian, and Dennis Price. The interaction between these characters is priceless, especially as the murders begin.
All of these characters are hiding something. However, the truth will be revealed.
The mysterious Mr. Owen is like a ghost, haunting the conscience and bringing to light the past. An uncredited Christopher Lee was the voice of Mr. Owen. Good choice.
The beautiful Kenure House in Rush County, Dublin was a perfect choice for film. It is sad that this marvel of architectural design which lasted for centuries was left to die and eventually be demolished in 1978 for safety reasons.
The film transfer was good. This black/white offering has held up well since 1965.
It would be well to read the nursery rhyme, Ten Little Indians, before you watch this film. Like any good mystery, the ending is a delight-like a cup of honeyed Rooibos tea. In fact, have a cup as you watch this presentation.
Movie Review: Hugh Lombard, "Drop dead!"
Summary: 4 Stars
8 people are invited to a remote mountaintop chalet by their host U.N. Owen; two people are already there as the butler and cook. Once there they find that their mysterious host has accused each of murder and commences to dispatch the guests in the order of a song of Ten Little Indians. Finding that they are cut off from the outside world they must find Mr. Owen and neutralize him before they are all dispatched.
All the clues are present; can you detect whodunit and why?
Pretty well acted version of an Agatha Christie classic. Everyone remembers the standard movie version the was made "And Then There Were None" (1945) with Barry Fitzgerald. Several other attempts were made such as "And Then There Were None" (1974) with Elke Sommer and even one movie with the original book title "Ten Little Niggers" (1949) with John Bentley.
This version with Hugh O'Brian as Hugh Lombard even keeps much of the dialog and is with adding to you Agatha Christy collection. Many of the actors are popular and will be recognizable form similar plays. The Voice of 'Mr. Owen' is Christopher Lee. The only annoying part is the constant intrusion of sixties music by Malcolm Lockyer. The good part is that the most obnoxious actor gets bumped off first.
Movie Review: Fun British Mystery from the 60's
Summary: 4 Stars
Director George Pollack who helmed Margaret Rutherford's four wonderful films as Miss Marple and her hilarious turn in Blithe Spirit serves up a "mod" take on And Then There Were None. Highlights are the performance of the voluptuous Shirley Eaton(Goldfinger's golden painted gal), Wilfred Hyde-White's scene chewing and yes, that jazzy score that other reviewers complain about. It goes great with Hugh's turtlenecks and Shirley's ski wear. Hey it works for Margaret Rutherford! And let's not forget the gimmicky "Who Dunnit Break." William Castle must have been chewing his socks for not thinking of that one! It's all in fun, made for a light-hearted evening at the cinema.