MURDER, THEN & NOW

A who’s who of actors brought Agatha Christie’s characters to memorable life in Hollywood’s 1974 version of the classic train mystery.

HERCULE POIROT Albert Finney

Finney, now 81, personified the role of the iconic sleuth, portrayed in the new movie by its director, Kenneth Branagh. Finney last appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall (2012).

MRS. HUBBARD Lauren Bacall

The onetime Mrs. Humphrey Bogart originated the role of the wealthy widow now portrayed by Michelle Pfeiffer. Bacall died in 2014 after suffering a massive stroke.

SAMUEL EDWARD RATCHETT Richard Widmark

The veteran actor, who played the American businessman (now Johnny Depp), retired from acting in the early ’90s and died at age 93 in 2008 after a long illness.

BIANCHI Martin Balsam

The prolific actor, who appeared in numerous TV series, died in 1996 following a stroke at age 76. In the new film, the character, Poirot’s close friend and one of the few nonsuspects, is played by British actor Tom Bateman and goes by the name of Bouc, which was originally used in the novel.

EDWARD BEDDOES Sir John Gielgud

The trailblazing British actor, who played the humble valet of the victim, died in 2000 at age 96 of a respiratory tract infection. In the 2017 version, another “Sir,” Derek Jacobi, plays the butler with a new name: Masterman.

PRINCESS DRAGOMIROFF Wendy Hiller

The royal highness, now played by Dame Judi Dench, was originally portrayed by Hiller, a stage and film star who died in 2003 at age 90.

HECTOR MACQUEEN Anthony Perkins

Josh Gad of Frozen and Beauty and the Beast fame takes over the role originated by the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, who died in 1992 at age 60 of AIDS-related pneumonia.

COLONEL ARBUTHNOT Sean Connery

The character was originally a British Army officer played by the former James Bond, now 87. In the new film, Arbuthnot is a physician and war veteran portrayed by Tony-winning Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr.

MARY DEBENHAM Vanessa Redgrave

Star Wars star Daisy Ridley takes over the role of the English governess originated by Redgrave, 80, who'll next appear in the movie drama Film Stars Don’t Die in

Liverpool (Nov. 17).

GRETA OHLSSON Ingrid Bergman

Bergman won an Academy Award for her performance as the missionary, now renamed Pilar Estravados and played by Penélope Cruz. The Casablanca star died of breast cancer in 1982 at age 67.