8.1/10
Senior Film Conservator

A definitive 8.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Orient Express remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for old black-and-white dramas where everyone is constantly smoking and looking out windows with profound sadness, you’ll probably find something to like here. If you need pacing that feels like it wasn't filmed in the Stone Age, you might want to skip it. It's not for the action crowd, and it certainly isn't for people who need a neat, happy ending tied up with a bow.
There is something about the *Orient Express* that just feels heavy. It’s not just the train; it’s the way the characters look at each other like they’re waiting for the other person to drop their mask.
I found myself staring at the background extras more than the leads. There’s a guy in the third car who looks like he forgot why he was even on set. It’s honestly the most relatable part of the whole production.
The story tries to juggle a Jewish businessman, a chorus girl, and a communist all in one go. Sometimes the dialogue feels like it’s being shouted through a megaphone from across the platform. It’s not subtle. Then again, who goes to a movie like this for subtlety?
It’s funny how movies from this era handle 'dramatic tension.' They just have people stand really close to each other and talk fast. It works, I guess? But sometimes I wanted someone to just yell or throw a drink. It’s all very polite misery.
The middle section drags quite a bit. I think I checked my phone twice. It’s one of those films that really wants you to know it’s *important* because it’s based on a book. We get it. You have literature.
Still, there’s a weird, rainy atmosphere that sticks with you. It feels like a precursor to the stuff you see in Closed Doors—that same sense of being trapped in a room with your own bad decisions. 🚂
Don't expect a masterpiece. Expect a long ride with some people you'd probably avoid at a party. It's imperfect, a little bit dated, and honestly, kind of exhausting. Just like a real train trip.

IMDb 6.6
1929
Community
Log in to comment.