And Then There Were None

Rating:
Summary: Ruined By an Ending!
Review: This was a fairly OK adaptation of Agatha Christie's book...until they add in a love story and give a happy ending.

Then it just flat out ruined the past two hours. Its sad how endings can do that, but they can. I wish they had stuck with the original ending in Christie's novel, it would have allowed things to come full circle. But unfortunately things just run flat.

Oh well.

Rating:
Summary: A delightful and thoroughly entertaining classic film
Review: First, I would be remiss if I did not state at the outset that this is one of my daughter's favorite films, and even asked for a copy of it for Christmas one year. We have both since then watched it repeatedly.

One would have to have lived one's life in a cave not to have heard of the story behind this film, based, as it is, on arguably Agatha Christie's most famous novel. Thankfully, the original title has long since been changed from the inconceivably offensive TEN LITTLE N*GGERS to TEN LITTLE INDIANS (Agatha, what were you thinking?). Actually, there have been a vast number of permutations of the story in various films, both explicitly based on Christie's story, or only derived from it in some fashion or other.

Ten individuals are mysteriously invited to a mansion that sits alone on an isolated island, all with a dark secret to hide. Mysteriously, one after another dies a mysterious death. The plot is excruciatingly simple; the execution by director Rene Clair is phenomenal.

The cast is superb though despite the absence of any leading performers. Louis Hayward is the ostensible lead, but his career was largely that of a supporting player. What the film has instead is a collection of absolutely first-rate character actors. The great Walter Huston (who would win a Best Supporting Actor Oscar three years later in his son's THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE) steals many of the scenes he is in, but one of the talents of a great character actor lies in scene theft. Barry Fitzgerald robs a few of his own, as does the brilliant Mischa Auer, whose early demise robs him of the opportunity for additional larceny. Roland Young was one of the greatest character actors of the thirties, and although he made other films after this one before his death in 1953, this was probably his last great role. I love the vastly underappreciated Richard Haydn, who always looked decades older than he was (only 40 in this film) and who never starred in a film but managed to embellish a large number, my favorite being, perhaps, BALL OF FIRE, where he played Prof. Oddly, the expert on botany (who gives an hysterical account about the birds and the bees). In this film he plays the Butler.

One could make the case that this is one of the most influential films ever made. Parts of the plot have been borrowed for countless other films, but in my opinion, none managed it more successfully than this one. A must see film.

Rating:
Summary: First Slasher!
Review: You know the story, you don't even need to see the flick. I think I'll re-make it. Anyway, if you wanna see where all your Friday the 13ths, Halloweens, Psychos, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre's came from, well this it. Read the book though, it's much better.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific old Suspense Classic!
Review: I brought my Madacay DVD version of this wonderful old classic for $5.95 and wasn't expecting a knock-out print. I was delighted with the version on this disc. It's not stunning black and white and grays but it's certainly better than the fuzzy black and white tape I brought years ago. The extras on this bargain disc are fun: ten minutes of movie bloopers, a newsreel and a cartoon from the 40s. Just like a Saturday afternoon at the Bijou. As to the movie itself, a great cast of professionals and crew whip up a fascinating hour long entertainment. You'll never guess whose left standing at the end.

Rating:
Summary: Loved the Book, Didn't Care for the Movie
Review: I bought this version of the movie because it supposedly captured the humor of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians. However, I was really disappointed. The humor of the book didn't carry over very well and the movie seems very dated. In addition, the actors did not succeed in bringing Christie's characters to life.

Rating:
Summary: Loved the Book, Didn't Care for the Movie
Review: I bought this version of the movie because it supposedly captured the humor of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. I ended up being very disappointed. The humor of the book didn't carry over well and the movie seems very dated. I actually recommend Death on the Nile and Murder on the Orient Express over And Then There Were None.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent murder mstery
Review: Rene Clair's "And Then There Were None" is an excellent portrayal of the ten people deserted on an island (nicknamed Indian Island) that come from all walks of life, It includes a judge, doctor, secretary, detective, adventurer, maid & butler, retired general, an entertainer, and an old woman who never really has a job. One night a mysterious record accuses each guest murdered someone long ago. Although they try to prove tier innocence, thier mysterious host "Mr. Owen" has found a great deal about them. One by one as each person reveals that the accusation is true, the perosn mysteriously is murdered. Each murder is by way of the nursery rhyme, The Ten Little Indians. As each guest is murder, the thrilling climax leads to a murder that never actually occured. The movie closes follows each guest and adds a excellent combination of humor, mystery, and drama, unlike others.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Movie
Review: This DVD is definitely worth watching if you enjoy a good mystery. Based on the famous book by Agatha Christie, this movie is a great adaptation. Though some may be discouraged due to the fact that the movie is in black and white, it does not detract from the enjoyment of the movie. Also, the film short "Twin Husbands" (Included on the DVD) is hilarious, and certainly should not be overlooked. On a note of caution, though, if you're planning to read the book, I suggest you read it before watching the movie, as both the movie and the book reveal the same culprit, which may ruin the ending of the book for you. All in all, this is one DVD not to be missed!

Rating:
Summary: And then there were none: A reveiw by Ernest Weeks.
Review: A very good movie. The movie is nearly as original as the book. The movie does not have many violent scences. It is noted that the major bloody parts are not shown, with the characters finding about the death after the accident has happend. Many age groups, inculding my 4-year old sister, were allowed to view the movie. The combanation with the poem is very sleak. The deaths go along with the poem, making the movie very accurate. The characters all have pretty much the same roles as in the book. The movie tends to be very high-paced during the first parts.
Some characters die within five minutes of each other. As the book rolls to an end, the pace slows down. The movie gives a "Survival of the fittest" feeling. The whole movie is like one series of "the mole", with everyone trying to uncover the villian.

The overall conclusion: And then there were none was a great movie, with lots of tradegy and overall loss. without showing the bloody sceens, And then there were none is a 5- star classic, a good movie for the whole family to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Mystery With A Twist At The End
Review: The 1945 Version only! This movie was perfect! Although slightly dated, all of the actors were great in their roles! Although remade several times (1965, 1975, etc.), none of the remakes rise to the performance of the 1945 version. If there were six stars, this movie would get all of them! If you haven't read the book before seeing the film, you will never figure out who did it until the ending! I loved it, and watch it again and again over the years!