I had this film recorded but somewhere in the middle I lost it. That doesn't however detract from my overall opinion. But like the Terminator, it"ll be back!
In 1974 Albert Finney essayed this rôle. The star-studded lineup was great and the set decoration were fabulous. You really felt the richness and almost royal surroundings on storied Orient Express Rail Line.
While over all, it's hard to complain, I felt that Mr. Finney worked too hard at being Poirot. Much too expressive and emotional, he liked to get right in the faces of people being interrogated,. At times too loud and grating.
As an old-time reader of all the Poirot stories, I feel I know him in the same way I know Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin, or Lord Peter Wimsey.
David Suchet really came into his own when he was tapped for the part of Hercule Poirot on Masterpiece Theatre. He is every inch M. Poirot. His dress, his walk, his attitude, the way he speaks and interrogates suspects...there can be no other.
Mr. Finney, while he looked good, was, I felt, must too expressive, at times far too loud and aggressive.
Kenneth Brannagh too, is a great actor, and while haven't seen this version, but I find it hard to believe he can replace David Suchet.
Certain actors, finding their niche, are almost impossible to replace. Ian Carmichael was every inch Lord Peter Death Wimsey. I hope you never had to sit through the version featuring Robert Montgomery. I really like Mr. Montgomery (I don't want Samantha twitching her nose to get even!) but he wasn't right for the rôle, and speaking of haunting, the entire script should have been burned before ever reaching the silver screens of America.
Thayer David came about as close to doing Wolfe as anyone extant. He wasn't heavy enough, but he carried the role well.
I imagine most people will go to see the Kenneth Brannegh version thinking Johnny Depp will be M. Poirot. Nothing against Mr. Brannegh, but I have a feeling that if anyone can come close to replacing the aging David Suchet, it might just be Mr. Depp. He has much greater range than most probably realize.
So...in the words of Forrest Gump: "That's all I have to say about that."