(October 1944, U.S.)
You know what I miss? I miss Agatha Christie theatrical films. I miss an all-star cast with Peter Ustinov playing Detective Hercule Poirot. Well, he's dead now and they haven't had a Christie film in the theater since EVIL UNDER THE SUN in 1982. Thankfully, we have DVD and the classics can live on.
This original British film adaptation of the classic novel is far from perfect, mind you. It's flaw, in my opinion, lies in it's rather lame attempt to have humor where humor doesn't necessarily belong. After all, this is a grim tale of ten strangers gathered in a strange house on a strange island by a strange and unknown host who are systematically getting murdered one-by-one (just like ten little indians). On the other hand, though, it's not nearly as campy and silly as one of it's terrible remakes, TEN LITTLE INDIANS (1965). On the very positive side, the film uses elements of film making like light, darkness and shadow that has made film noir legendary. If you've ever read the book (as I did back in high school English class), you'll know the end resolution of "who done it" and why is quite astounding.
There have been numerous film version of the original story. The first one is usually the best, as is the case here.
Favorite line or dialogue:
Judge Francis Quinncannon: "Mr. Owen could only come to the island in one way. It's perfectly clear. Mr. Owen is one of us!"
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