<P> Murder on the Orient Express is a 2017 mystery drama film directed by Kenneth Branagh with a screenplay by Michael Green , based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie . The film stars Branagh as Hercule Poirot , with Penélope Cruz , Willem Dafoe , Judi Dench , Johnny Depp , Josh Gad , Derek Jacobi , Leslie Odom Jr. , Michelle Pfeiffer , and Daisy Ridley in supporting roles . The film is the fourth screen adaptation of Christie 's novel , following the 1974 film , a 2001 TV film version , and a 2010 episode of the television series Agatha Christie 's Poirot . The plot follows Poirot , a world - renowned detective , as he seeks to solve a murder on the famous trans - European train in the 1930s . </P>
<P> Murder on the Orient Express is a 2017 mystery drama film directed by Kenneth Branagh with a screenplay by Michael Green , based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie . The film stars Branagh as Hercule Poirot , with Penélope Cruz , Willem Dafoe , Judi Dench , Johnny Depp , Josh Gad , Derek Jacobi , Leslie Odom Jr. , Michelle Pfeiffer , and Daisy Ridley in supporting roles . The film is the fourth screen adaptation of Christie 's novel , following the 1974 film , a 2001 TV film version , and a 2010 episode of the television series Agatha Christie 's Poirot . The plot follows Poirot , a world - renowned detective , as he seeks to solve a murder on the famous trans - European train in the 1930s . </P>
who plays the detective in the orient express
who plays the detective in the orient express
Kenneth Branagh
Kenneth Branagh