“And Then There Were None” isn’t scary, nor is it intended to be. This piece of classic cinema is a whodunnit style mystery at its heart, but with a body count that would impress Michael Myers, it can easily be enjoyed this time of year.
Released in 1945 (a handful of months after the end of WWII), the movie is based off a 1939 novel by the Queen of Mystery herself, Agatha Christie.
“None” was directed by René Clair, and features a bevy of actors, all of whom are long gone from this plane of existence. Its hampered by a bad score and robust performances, but there are several highly effective moments of tension that rise to the occasion.
A Process of Elimination
Eight strangers are brought to a mansion on a remote island. All of them are harboring some sort of secret, and all are seemingly ignorant of the mysterious invitation that brought them there.
All the actors deserve to be credited for the characters they portray.
There’s the drunkard, Dr. Edward G. Armstrong (Walter Huston), the sexy dame (June Duprez), and a man travelling with a false identity (Louis Hayward).
A retired judge (Barry Fitzgerald), a member of royalty (Mischa Auer) and a knitting “spinster” (Judith Anderson). The actress was 48 at the time LOL.
We’ve got a detective (Roland Young) and a military man (C. Aubrey Smith) rounding out the guests. Richard Haydn and Queenie Leonard play the housekeepers of the estate. Harry Thurston plays the boatman who delivers the attendees.
In brutal reality show style, the guests are mysteriously murdered one by one, leaving the audience to figure out who the identity of the killer.
Production
This similar tale reminds me of the Vincent Price film, “The House on Haunted Hill”. Strangers brought together for an unknown reason and deaths ensue.
Unlike that film, “And Then There Were None” is strictly a mystery. Devoid of scares, the film relies on atmosphere and tension.
The black and white palette is always a good recipe for creepiness. The filmmaking itself has excellent elements. I loved how it opened, with the eight strangers on a boat. As each character sits in silence, we learn a good deal about them without a single word.
Two Months of Terror
My only complaint is the score. Good lord its awful. I wish I could talk to the composers of these old movies and ask if they think upbeat circus music should accompany the finding of a dead body.
Alas, it’s what we get with a film that’s 80 years old.
I recommend “And Then There Were None” as a sophisticated changeup for horror movie viewing. Think you’re clever enough to solve the caper?
