THE MYSTERY FOR THE BLUE TRAIN

UK, 2005, 93 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, James D' Arcy, Georgina Rylance, Lindsay Duncan, Elliot Gould, Alice Eve, Nicholas Farrell, Bronagh Gallagher, Tom Harper, Samuel James, Oliver Milburn, Josette Simon, Roger Lloyd Pack.
Directed by Hettie Mc Donald.

This is a later episode from the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet as Poirot.

The initial settings are in London. Then there is the train journey from London to Nice fire Paris in Marseilles, on the Blue Train. But, the main action of the film takes place in Nice.

This film is more upmarket in its casting than many of the others, even a guest appearance from American actor, Elliot Gould. Lindsay Duncan plays a flighty socialite with Alice Eve as her enthusiastic daughter. James D’ Arcy is the gambling husband of the murdered woman. Nicholas Farrell appears as a World War I veteran, working for the American businessman. Bronagh Gallagher is the dead woman is made. Roger Lloyd Pack, taking some time off from The Vicar of Dibley, is the French inspector, but taking second place to Poirot.

There are quite some complications, focusing on Georgina Rylance’s Katherine, who has just come into an inheritance. However, the murdered woman, who had exchanged compartments with Katherine, is the daughter of Elliot Gould.

While there are some emotional motivations for her death, she was also carrying valuable jewels. There is quite an interesting subplot concerning Elliot Gould’s wife, her mental collapse, her being interned in a convent.

The denouement takes place at a social party in a property outside Nice, all the suspects present, and a different explanation at unmasking than might have been anticipated.


1. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries, the television series? David Suchet as Poirot?

2. The London settings, Poirot, the social reception, the encounter with Rufus van Aldin, the train, the trip to Paris, the Paris sequences, the restaurant and hotel, Marseilles Station, Nice Station, the visit to the convent? The musical score?

3. The introduction to Lady Tamplin, to Lenox, the situation with Katherine, her inheritance? The plans? Going to London to meet Katherine? Suggestions of their motives? Travelling on the train? To go to the holiday house? Inviting Poirot?

4. The story with Rufus van Aldin, his love for his daughter, his wealthy background, her capricious behaviour, her marrying Derek, his personality, disdainful, gambling, drinking, the partnership with La Roche, rivalry in affections, Derek owing money? Ruth, dancing with her husband, his manner, her rendezvous with La Roche? The issue of her jewels, the Star of India (and the opening with the sequence of Van Aldin brutally obtaining the jewel)?

5. Katherine, simple, inheriting the money, the touch of naivete? Agreeable with everyone? On the train? Charming Poirot, his offer of protection?

6. Van Aldin, his plans, wanting his daughter to divorce her husband? The story about his wife and her going back to Argentina? His working with Knighton? His doing jobs for his boss? The meeting in Paris, the plans, Knighton’s commission, Van Aldin surreptitiously getting on the train?

7. On the train, the meals, encounters, Lenox and her joyfulness, her mother, her marriages, relationship with Corky, his being rather dumb?

8. Ruth, her reliance on her maid, packing the jewellery or not? The maid getting out at Marseilles? Organising the changing of compartments with Katherine?

9. Ruth, that it to death? The French police, the investigations, collaborating with Poirot?

10. Poirot, Lady Tamplin, Corky, his gift of the jewel for her birthday? The Star of India?

11. The arrests, Derek put in jail, his protests? La Roche under suspicion?

12. Lady Templin, organising the party, everybody present? The irony of the two men? Jollity, Poirot and the bad wine? His search in the room, finding the jewel?

13. The mystery of the dead wife? Van Aldin and his visit? Mental condition? In the convent? As a nun, ministering to the patient’s? Muriel and her visit?

14. Mirelle, the mysterious presence, on the train, 40 with Poirot, gatecrashing the party, slapping van Aldin? Her relationship with him? Her visit to Dolores?

15. Katherine, in the background, observing? Knighton and his attentions?

16. Everybody present, the reconstruction of the case, the flashbacks to the events? Derek, his love for his wife, not wanting the money? La Roche and the expose? Lady Tamplin and the family? Corky and the fake jewel? The behaviour of the maid? The expose of Knighton, his relationship with the maid, their plan, the murder of the daughter, the fake jewel, Corky finding it? The motivations? The confrontations? On the train? Knighton and the oncoming train, his death?

17. Katherine, travelling, her future?