The modernized Sixties characters are nowhere near as interesting as their more subdued Forties counterparts, and the acting isn't as good as in the 1945 version. But the isolated castle on an inaccessible mountain top makes a good replacement for the island of the original, and is quite spooky in its cold marble halls and vast staircases. One half expects Max Schreck's Count Orlok to appear at any moment.
There are some genuinely suspenseful moments and the black and white photography is effective. The sense of unseen menace in the dark corners and echoing rooms of the castle is tangible and the best thing in the movie.
The comical drunken butler of the original is here replaced by a surly thug, who gets into an unintentionally funny brawl with hero Hugh O'Brien. The two slug each other all over the castle and up and down a huge staircase, with O'Brien finally beating the crap out of the obnoxious servant. This is quite entertaining in its own right, but is totally out of character with the sedate British atmosphere of the original.
Nearly every poster has commented on what a relief it is that the annoying Fabian character gets knocked off first. I agree, but would also point out that his character is a lot closer to Christie's original conception than the ludicrous Russian poseur of the 1945 film.Dennis Price is suitably sly and deceptive as the alcoholic doctor, with Wilfrid Hyde-White nearly stealing the picture with his dignified portrayal of the judge; responding to the drunken Fabian's merry remarks about enjoying the mystery with the statement " At our time of life, sir, we are hardly interested in " a gas", as you put it." Even without the corny " whodunit break" at the end, apparently edited from most prints nowadays, this movie is good fun, and actually somewhat better than one might expect. A good movie for anyone in search of a guilty pleasure.
There are some genuinely suspenseful moments and the black and white photography is effective. The sense of unseen menace in the dark corners and echoing rooms of the castle is tangible and the best thing in the movie.
The comical drunken butler of the original is here replaced by a surly thug, who gets into an unintentionally funny brawl with hero Hugh O'Brien. The two slug each other all over the castle and up and down a huge staircase, with O'Brien finally beating the crap out of the obnoxious servant. This is quite entertaining in its own right, but is totally out of character with the sedate British atmosphere of the original.
Nearly every poster has commented on what a relief it is that the annoying Fabian character gets knocked off first. I agree, but would also point out that his character is a lot closer to Christie's original conception than the ludicrous Russian poseur of the 1945 film.Dennis Price is suitably sly and deceptive as the alcoholic doctor, with Wilfrid Hyde-White nearly stealing the picture with his dignified portrayal of the judge; responding to the drunken Fabian's merry remarks about enjoying the mystery with the statement " At our time of life, sir, we are hardly interested in " a gas", as you put it." Even without the corny " whodunit break" at the end, apparently edited from most prints nowadays, this movie is good fun, and actually somewhat better than one might expect. A good movie for anyone in search of a guilty pleasure.