This film was a real discovery for me. A real feel-good murder mystery if ever there was one. Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple is quite something different I was expecting. Usually in other films and TV-series I've found the character a bit boring compared to Hercule Poirot and have much more preferred Christie stories involving the latter. Not this time, because this must be the best Agatha Christie movie I have seen yet. I haven't read the book the film is based on, '16.50 from Paddington', so I can't tell how faithful the film adaption is. But Rutherford's Marple sure sparkles. She is above all witty, energetic and enormously fun to watch.
What generally makes this movie so delightful is the humorous style which I strongly connected to the classic Ealing comedies. There is also some obvious influence of Hitchcock's early films from his English period, for example the trick of using a woman's scream and a train whistle together very effectively. Good looking sharp photography and fast-paced direction keep things moving . The dialog is very stylish, so "utterly British" for someone from a different language area and a treat for one's ear. I doubt if anyone really talks like that anymore, but hopefully I'm utterly wrong.
And for once I guessed the murderer right beforehand without spoiling any of my fun. On the contrary, the movie gave me such a good time it fully surprised me in that. Judging by this and the trailers of the other films in the series (Yes, hurray, there is more of it!) I'll have to catch up with the rest of them too. Do let your evening be crowned or saved by this wonderful film.
