Murder on the Orient Express [Movie Tie-in]

By: Agatha Christie

Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh

Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

A new recording of the most widely read mystery of all time, performed by Kenneth Branagh.

Now a major motion picture from Twentieth Century Fox, releasing November 10, 2017 and directed by Kenneth Branagh.

"The murderer is with us - on the train now...."

Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Edward Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.

©1934 Agatha Christie Limited (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"What more...can a mystery addict desire?" ( The New York Times)

Best Possible Version of the Classic Whodunit

Don’t be misled by the “Movie Tie-In” in the title. This is not a novelization of Branagh’s movie of Murder on the Orient Express. It is the original novel read by the best possible reader, Kenneth Branagh. As those who have listened to his version of Heart of Darkness know, Branagh can handle both narration and a wide variety of characters with absolute clarity and profound expression. This is a light work, but it is great fun, and Branagh performs it flawlessly.

36 of 37 people found this review helpful

A Perfect Read Apart from the Americans

I'm a great admirer of Kenneth Branagh as an actor and was thrilled to get his reading of my most re-read Agatha Christie. His reading is of course first rate so far as Poirot and the Europeans, but the American accents on Mrs. Hubbard and Hector MacQueen are a distracting absurdity that really breaks your focus every time it occurs. You're no longer listening to the text but at that weird verbal mash many Brits do as an American accent. This is surprising in that Branagh did a superb California accent 25 years ago in Dead Again. I can't imagine what happened, but it's not good.
Speaking of Mr. MacQueen, Christie repeats many times what a likable and affable young man he is. Perhaps Branagh was thinking of his movie casting, because none of that comes through.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

A must for Christie and Branagh fans

Loved listening to this audiobook! Agatha Christie is a fantastic story teller! The narrator, Kenneth Branagh is one of my favorite actors. He does a marvelous job of bringing all the characters to life. But, sometimes I have some trouble understanding him.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Classic story, but I expected better narration

I know it sounds sacrilegious to say, but I expected a terrific actor like Kenneth Branagh to provide better narration. It was good, but his American accent isn't great, nor is his ability to switch and provide clear differences in characters. I've listened to a lot of Christie stories narrated by Hugh Fraser, and I would rather have had him narrate this classic Christie novel.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Still a Cracking Good Story

It's obvious that Kenneth Branagh has been concentrating on this book lately. He has a lot of fun narrating these characters, and we listeners all benefit from his experience directing and starring in the most recent film version of probably the most iconic and familiar classic of Agatha Christie.

Unlike in his film, Branagh doesn't at all mess with the traditional interpretation of Hercule Poirot or the other characters here. He narrates with gusto, but he sticks to the original text. I loved his accents and the vibrancy of his people - he especially has a great time taking on the train's American passengers.

Whether or not you have seen (or want to see) his movie, Branagh's interpretation of Murder on the Orient Express is a good reminder of why the book has always been so popular. There are other Audible versions; I also recommend an excellent one narrated by Dan Stevens. But Branagh is a master!

Perhaps all directors (especially those who act as well) should narrate the books they've adapted for the screen.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Classic story, amazing performance

Not going to go into the story much. It's a classic, it's well done, if you like mysteries you should check it out. Kenneth Branagh's performance is extraordinary, he's excellent at voices, and I particularly like his Poirot.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Agatha Christie still rocks!!

I absolutely loved Kenneth Branagh's rendition of this book. He brings the multinational cast of character to life. I hope Branagh will tackle more classics.....outstanding performance!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Stunning! My ears were at the edge of my seat!

Most readers of a certain age (or lovers of murder mysteries) know "who done it" on the Orient Express. The ending isn't the point of this book. Ms. Christie's prose is fabulous! Like Jane Austen, she's a master of dialogue. What there is of narration doesn't get in the way of the "voices" of the story.

Add to that genius the vocal talents of Kenneth Branagh, and you have a feast for your ears. Does his Poirot speak in a true Belgian accent? I couldn't tell you. But, Poirot speaks in the PERFECT over the top French accent to fit the character. The same can be said for the other characters - the Italian's voice is a caricature of an Italian immigrant's voice, the Russian contessa's voice makes it clear that she's shimmering in her jet beads and jewels, the American missionary (or not) and the salesman are SO "American." The characters are SO strongly performed that the listener's mind can see them, each unique.

Overacted? Oh, most certainly, but PERFECT for this edition of the classic story.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Kenneth Branagh should narrate everything!

Would you listen to Murder on the Orient Express [Movie Tie-in] again? Why?

Yes. Again and again

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder on the Orient Express [Movie Tie-in]?

When Poriot assembles the characters to solve the murder.

Have you listened to any of Kenneth Branagh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I will seek them now.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh.

To captive and entertain with solely one's voice

Kenneth Branagh can do no wrong. To perform the various worldly voices with perfection goes beyond any Shakespeare masterpiece, for the lack of visual sense requires more attention to the audio performance tenfold. Well done, Mr. Branagh. You should do more of these.