The Sleeping Car Murder
Plot
The Sleeping Car Murder (1965) - A Classic Whodunit Mystery As the sun sets over the French countryside, six strangers board the overnight train from Marseilles to Paris, each with their own secrets and motivations. Little do they know that this journey will become a deadly game of cat and mouse. When the train finally pulls into its destination, it's met with a gruesome discovery: one of the passengers, a young woman, is found brutally murdered in her sleeping berth. Inspector Ledru, a seasoned and astute detective, is called to the scene to unravel the tangled web of clues and motives that will lead him on a thrilling chase to uncover the truth. As he begins questioning the remaining passengers, it becomes clear that each one had a reason to want the victim dead. There's Madame Bovard, a wealthy socialite with a reputation for ruthlessness; Monsieur Gendron, a charming but untrustworthy businessman; Miss La Roche, a beautiful and alluring woman with a mysterious past; Dr. Joubert, a middle-aged doctor with secrets of his own; Madame de Sainte-Claire, a frail and enigmatic aristocrat; and finally, there's Pierre, the quiet and reserved train conductor who seems to be hiding something. As Inspector Ledru digs deeper into the case, he uncovers a complex web of relationships, alibis, and motives that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. With twists and turns at every corner, The Sleeping Car Murder is a classic whodunit that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the mystery alongside Inspector Ledru. Will he be able to catch the killer before they strike again? Will justice prevail, or will the perpetrator get away with the crime? Find out in this gripping and suspenseful tale of murder and intrigue.
Reviews
Victor
Costa-Gavras' debut film is remarkably stunning, showcasing him as an extraordinary newcomer. He fearlessly tackles a complex story while boldly experimenting with avant-garde filmmaking techniques, all while skillfully managing a cast of stars. Speaking of hiding a leaf in the forest, it reminds me of one of Agatha Christie's masterpieces...
Lena
This film perfectly proves that the French are inherently disconnected from "classic whodunit" mysteries. Such a deceptively clever murder plot is completely overshadowed by the passengers' infatuations, gigolo lifestyles, and other trivialities. We have to wait until the actual murderer monologues and explains everything to the police. I am truly impressed... in a bewildering way.
Josephine
This cast is more than just Yves Montand catching JLT almost in the act with Simone Signoret; Catherine Allégret is also Simone's daughter (and everyone Simone loves is named Yves), and the actors all have lovely voices. It's a tightly paced film.
Ava
What's shocking isn't just the debut film gathering so many big names, but more so its almost skillful camera work (many interesting tracking shots, the slow reverse shot at the end signifying the story's retreat, numerous and somewhat eerie subjective shots), transition techniques (especially the scene change at 55' through the peephole), and ingenious composition, exhibiting a strong and recognizable style. Murder stories are common, and the atmosphere created generally meets expectations, but it also blends in some French humor and romantic comedy elements (can you imagine Jacques Perrin clumsily falling in love? Can you imagine Jean-...
Maxwell
Actually, quite disappointed; the pace is incredibly fast, and the subtitles are inadequate. Gavras's debut, yet he managed to assemble such a powerful cast—Yves Montand + Simone Signoret + Jean-Louis Trintignant + Jacques Perrin + Michel Piccoli—amazing.
