And Then There Were None (1945)

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE isn't one of my favourite Agatha Christie stories, but it is one of the most filmed with numerous screen adaptations seemingly made every ten years or so. This 1945 outing is the classy Hollywood black and white version, featuring an all-star cast of notables including Walter Huston and Louis Hayward. The depiction of the story isn't too bad at all, with crisp photography that plays up the isolated setting and experienced cast members who really enjoy the roles they're given. I still think the story is a bit slow, predictable, and drawn-out, and the shallowness of the characters present doesn't help much either, but nonetheless this is a perfectly adequate murder mystery and a classic of its kind.

And then there were none is arguably the best screen adaptation of an Agatha Christie novel. Ten strangers are lured to a remote island and are then murdered, one by one, according to the Ten Little Indians rhyme. Along the way they discover that they are all being judged for their previous and unpunished crimes. It's a unique ensemble of noted character actors that make this film work, with Barry Fitzgerald in the lead as the Judge. Fans of Agatha Christie all are aware that there are significant changes in the ending from the original story, so it's a good idea to read the book first if you've never seen the movie. We read this in grammar school chapter by chapter. Our teacher even went so far as to seal the last chapter of every book with an adhesive sticker so nobody could jump ahead and spoil the ending.

This highly regarded mystery favourite is based more on the subsequent play, rather than the original novel, by the legendary Agatha Christie. The story has been told many times over the years, officially and unofficially, and one could even see it as an ancestor to the entire "body count" genre, as characters exist mostly for the purpose of being bumped off. Producer & director Rene Clair manages the neat trick of making this atmospheric and suspenseful as well as lighthearted at times. The script is quite witty and ingenious, and the plotting keeps you on your toes; even people who think they've figured it out can still have great fun watching things develop.Eight people - who all have in common some sort of tragedy in their past - are invited by the mysterious Mr. Owen to a secluded island. "Mr. Owen" never does show up, but soon the invitees begin to be killed in a variety of ways. As their numbers decrease, the survivors try to be as proactive as possible, while also dealing with the fact that the killer just might be one of them.The cast really makes this come to life. Barry Fitzgerald, who looks like he's having a whale of a time, is the jovial judge Francis Quincannon. Walter Huston is likewise excellent as Dr. Armstrong, and the talented ensemble also consists of Louis Hayward, Roland Young, June Duprez, Mischa Auer, C. Aubrey Smith, Judith Anderson, Richard Haydn, Queenie Leonard, and Harry Thurston.Clair injects the humour into the twisty story with ease; in fact, things begin on a somewhat comical note, but soon take a darker turn.70 years later, "And Then There Were None" holds up remarkably well, keeping its audience engrossed and involved with its characters.Eight out of 10.

A definite eerie, brooding piece with ten people being invited to a remote British island and then being summarily killed off one by one. Problem was that all had committed some form of transgressions in the form of murder during their respective lifetimes.You would think that the usually sinister Judith Anderson would be up to her evil ways. Instead, she sits and knits in the way of Madame DeFarge and becomes an early victim. Walter Huston proves in his role of a doctor how vulnerable he is when he is easily duped by rascal Barry Fitzgerald, the latter in top form here.A piece proving that justice may be served.