This week A Haunting In Venice, the latest film based on Agatha Christie’s novels featuring Hercule Poirot hits theaters. Below, for this week’s Binge, I’m taking a look at some of the recent actors who’ve inhabited the role in different takes on the character.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
About: It’s been turned into a feature film two more times since, but this 1970s take featured Albert Finney in the lead role as Poirot. It features something of an all-star ensemble, including Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman and Anthony Perkins, among others. It’s a fun take on the character and the world.

Death on the Nile (1978)
About: This kicked off the Peter Ustinov era as Hercule Poirot, tackling another Christie’s most famous novels. The cast includes Bette Davis, Mia Farrow and Angela Landsbury, among others. Ustinov played the part for a decade in myriad films, something that the current Poirot likely aspires to match. Other films with Ustinov as Poirot include: Evil Under the Sun (1982), Dead Man’s Folly (1986), A Murder in Three Acts (1986) and Appointment With Death (1988)

Murder on the Orient Express (2001)
About: Didn’t realize there was another version of this made this century? You’re not alone. This one features Alfred Molina as Hercule Poirot and it didn’t take. This originally had a number of stars attached, but they didn’t make the finished product, which then aired on CBS.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
About: And now we begin the Kenneth Branagh era. He directs and stars in these films, with the first one being a major theatrical event. We’ve back to star-studded casts, with this film including Judi Dench, Willem Dafoe and Olivia Coleman, among others. I enjoyed the take and was excited to see him return in Death on the Nile (2022). Pandemic delays and the specter of Armie Hammer in a key role dampened it some, but I still enjoyed the film. I’m excited to see him continue in the role.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.