What Year is Murder on the Orient Express Set?
Agatha Christie’s famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express, has been a beloved mystery classic for decades. Published in 1934, the book has been adapted into numerous films, plays, and TV shows. But what year is the story actually set in?
The Original Novel’s Timeline
In the original novel, the story takes place in the 1930s, but Christie doesn’t specify the exact year. However, there are some clues that can help us narrow down the timeline.
- The train, the Orient Express, is described as being on its way from Istanbul to Paris.
- The characters mention the 1929 Balkan Wars, which took place in the late 1920s.
- The detective, Hercule Poirot, is described as being in his mid-50s, which would place him born around 1870-1880.
Using these clues, we can make an educated estimate of the year the story takes place. Assuming the story takes place around 10-15 years after the Balkan Wars, we can place the timeline around 1934-1935.
Film and Stage Adaptations
The story has been adapted into numerous films and stage productions over the years. Some of these adaptations have taken creative liberties with the timeline, while others have stuck closer to the original novel.
- The 1974 film adaptation, directed by Sidney Lumet, takes place in December 1934. This is explicitly stated in the film and is often cited as the "official" timeline.
- The 2017 film adaptation, directed by Kenneth Branagh, takes place in May 1934. This is not explicitly stated in the film, but Branagh has confirmed in interviews that the story takes place in May 1934.
Table: Timeline of Murder on the Orient Express Adaptations
| Adaptation | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Original Novel (1934) | Unspecified, but likely around 1934-1935 |
| 1974 Film | December 1934 |
| 2017 Film | May 1934 |
Conclusion
While the original novel doesn’t specify the exact year the story takes place, we can make an educated estimate based on the clues provided. Assuming the story takes place around 10-15 years after the Balkan Wars, we can place the timeline around 1934-1935.
The 1974 film adaptation explicitly sets the timeline in December 1934, while the 2017 film adaptation takes place in May 1934. Whether you prefer the original novel or one of the many adaptations, the timeline of Murder on the Orient Express is an important part of the story’s enduring appeal.
Additional Fun Facts
- The Orient Express was a real train that ran from Paris to Istanbul from 1883 to 2009.
- Hercule Poirot was a fictional character created by Agatha Christie, but he was loosely based on a real detective named Eugène François Vidocq.
- Murder on the Orient Express has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
I hope this article has helped answer the question of what year Murder on the Orient Express is set. Whether you’re a fan of the original novel or one of the many adaptations, the story’s timeless appeal is sure to captivate audiences for years to come.
