Stars of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ Penelope Cruz, Judy Dench, Kenneth Branagh, Daisy Ridley and Michelle Pfeiffer on the back of the train Photo Twentieth Century Fox
Movies & TV
Glamour Lives in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’
Passengers are bejeweled at every stop of the suspenseful trip
The great mystery writer Agatha Christie didn’t exactly use jewelry as part of the plot in Murder on the Orient Express, but she did use it as a clue to character. When I went to see the newly released film based on her book, I was like one of the passengers on the train, surprised at every suspenseful turn. I had never watched the 1974 movie based on the novel or read the thriller itself. So, I slowly came to learn about her subtle ways with jewels.
Judi Dench decked out in jewels, velvet and fur in ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’ Photo Twentieth Century Fox
The cinematically stunning production, which was directed by and stars Kenneth Branagh as the legendary detective Hercule Poirot, unfolds on a train ride from Istanbul to London during the glamorous age of travel in the 1930s. As each of the main characters boards the Orient Express and the journey begins, we get a sense of their identities through their attitudes and attire.
Olivia Colman with Judi Dench wearing layers of necklaces in ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’ Photo Twentieth Century Fox
Oscar winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, known for her work on Phantom of the Opera, Elizabeth and several Marvel blockbusters, brought her magic to the movie. Almost all of the costumes were created using vintage fabrics. The majority of the accessories and jewelry were vintage pieces Alexandra and her team sourced at flea markets. A few items of jewelry were made by designers Alexandra commissioned.
Judi Dench’s vintage traveling jewelry box in ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’ Photo Twentieth Century Fox
The most beautifully bejeweled passenger on the train is Princess Natalia Dragomiroff, played by the exceptional Dame Judy Dench. As a Russian émigré living in Paris after the Revolution, the Princess is decked out in jewelry befitting a royal traveler. Her velvet and brocade dresses are lit up by precious necklaces, chandelier earrings and an eye-popping statement ring on each finger. “I didn’t want to go too overboard but I wanted it to be quite eclectic and bohemian,” explained Byrne in an interview with The Telegraph. “Christie describes her as having ‘a knuckleduster of rings’ so we made lots of those based on original Russian pieces.”
Gold jewelry and a couple of gemmy rings highlight Michelle Pfeiffer’s costume in ‘Murder on the Orient Express. Photo Twentieth Century Fox
Michelle Pfeiffer is almost as decked out as Dench in her role as Caroline Hubbard, the flirtatious socialite and loud mouthed American busy body. Her layers of jewels are just a bit lighter than the princesses. She wears rings on a few fingers and layers a couple of bracelets. Comparatively it is a little less jewelry but in the scheme of things it is quite a bit.
Michelle Pfeiffer in layered bracelets and rings in ‘Murder on the Orient Express. Photo Twentieth Century Fox
The other royal aboard the train is Countess Elena Andrenyis (Lucy Boynton) who makes her appearances mainly at night. Her evening arrivals in the production are sometimes met with attire that looks as though she glamorously snoozed all day long and didn’t really bother to change. She does however wear jewels, delicate pieces like chokers and bracelets.
Lucy Boynton wears delicate jewels with her silk robe in ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’ Photo Twentieth Century Fox
If all of this jewelry is bringing you to the conclusion that you would like to add some Orient Express style pieces to your collection, well, the filmmakers have anticipated your desire like Hercule Poirot identifies his clues. There are any number of collaboration collections connected to the production. A couple of the most enticing are the Globe-Trotter x Murder on the Orient Express jewelry box and the Links of London bohemian style drop earrings.
Globe-Trotter x Murder on the Orient Express jewelry box and the Links of London bohemian style drop earrings inspired by the film. Photo courtesy
I, for one, feel like ordering the jewels and putting them on for a seconding screening of Murder on the Orient Express. I want to watch again for more of the subtle jewelry clues.
Murder on the Orient Express Official Trailer
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