And Then There Were None

Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina December 14,
2023
BSE English 3-C Sir Rafael Mendoza
Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Silang Campus
Biga 1, Silang, Cavite
TEACHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
DEATH FROM THE UNKNOWN:

A MOVIE REVIEW OF THE 1939 ADAPTATION OF “AND THEN THERE WERE NONE”
The Perfect Setup

The Crime
"And Then There Were None" is a classic mystery film released in 1945, directed by René Clair.
The movie is based on Agatha Christie's popular novel of the same name. Known for its
suspenseful plot and intriguing characters, the film has become a staple in the mystery genre.
The Mastermind
Agatha Christie, the brilliant mind behind "And Then There Were None," was born on
September 15, 1890, in Torquay, Devon, England. Known as the "Queen of Crime," Christie is
considered one of the most influential and prolific writers in the mystery genre. She created
iconic detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, whose adventures captivated readers
worldwide. Christie's storytelling prowess is evident in her clever plots, intricate puzzles, and
unexpected twists. In addition to her novels, she wrote numerous short stories, plays, and
poems. Agatha Christie's impact on literature is immeasurable, with her works translated into
numerous languages and selling over 2 billion copies. Her mysterious 11-day disappearance in
1926 added an intriguing chapter to her life, further fueling the public's fascination with her.
Christie received numerous accolades during her lifetime, including being appointed Dame
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1971. She passed away on January 12,
1976, in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, leaving behind a legacy of timeless mysteries that continue to
captivate readers and inspire adaptations for film, television, and stage.
The Victims
The 1939 film adaptation of Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" featured a
distinguished ensemble cast, including Barry Fitzgerald as Judge Francis J. Quinncannon,
Walter Huston as Dr. Edward G. Armstrong, Louis Hayward as Philip Lombard, Roland Young
as Detective William Henry Blore, June Duprez as Vera Claythorne, Mischa Auer as Prince
Nikita Starloff, C. Aubrey Smith as General Sir John Mandrake, Judith Anderson as Emily Brent,
Richard Haydn as Thomas Rogers, Queenie Leonard as Ethel Rogers, Harry Thurston as Fred
Narracott, and Leslie Denison as Commander George Compton. This talented group of actors
portrayed the ten strangers who, in the film's suspenseful narrative, find themselves lured to an
isolated island and ensnared in a chilling web of mystery and murder.
BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

2023
The Crime Scene
The events of Agatha Christie's 1939 film adaptation of "And Then There Were None" take
place on a desolate and ominous island. Ten strangers who were all invited under different
pretexts arrive at Soldier Island at the start of the story. The remote mansion becomes the
unsettling backdrop for the mystery as it develops because it is surrounded by untamed
landscapes and can only be reached by boat. Tension is increased by the characters' sense of
imprisonment and loneliness as they explore the darkly lit rooms and sinister hallways of the
mansion. The characters' increasing unease is exacerbated by the barren island that separates
them from the mainland and their struggles with past crime accusations and the enigmatic
circumstances that unite them.
The Crime Scene's Narrative

The characters are invited by a certain Mr. and Mrs. Owen to attend a dinner party in their
island. After being exposed to each other about the crimes they’ve committed, the group's
members begin to pass away one by one in a manner consistent with the nursery rhyme "Ten
Little Soldiers." The deaths are planned to correspond with the rhyme's verses, and the
survivors grow more suspicious as they attempt to identify the murderer among them.
Tensions rise as the characters grapple with their own guilt, suspicions, and the realization that
the killer is one of their own. Personalities clash, alliances form and dissolve, and the body
count continues to rise. The mystery deepens as the characters struggle to understand the
connection between their past crimes and the unfolding events on Soldier Island.
The finale discloses that Justice Quinncannon, disguising himself as a U.N. Owen was the
mastermind behind the whole thing. He considers himself the ideal tool of justice to punish
those who avoided facing consequences for their crimes, so he stages his own death to finish
the rhyme. The events leave the survivors traumatized, but they are eventually saved.
A Scrutinizing of Evidences
The film was indeed worthy of being called an adaptation of the book. Although in some parts, it
was certainly lacking. One of the most important part where this film falters is in the cast’s
acting. It can be likened to watching a group project of a group of students who were trying to
outperform each other while deceiving themselves that they’re doing a great job. The
performances of some of the actors were tacky. One of the most honorable mentions for this
failure is the actor who played Prince Nikita followed by a close second of Mrs. Rogers. Both
died at an earlier time during the plot of the movie and to be frank, watching their performance
made us feel like their deaths was a form of justice.
The cinematography of the film was rather amusing and interesting. It was superb for a film that
was curated during a time where there was limited technological advancements to cinematic

2023
instruments. The usage of the camera’s panning out through the keyholes were really
impressive and innovative, adding a much more invasive feel to the peeping being done.
Real Confession: Opinions About the Movie
The 1939 movie adaptation was indeed a great foundation to be further built upon. It was not
surely the best version of it but we can be sure that this is the perfect place to start improvement
from. It is truly amazing how sometimes taking too much creative liberty can either make or
break a certain execution of an adaptation. Unfortunately, this version wasn’t striking or
impactful enough for us. It somehow made the film too predictable and made it lose its mystery,
considering that it is a film under the said genre. Still, it was a valiant effort from the director and
the casts. It wasn’t necessarily a film worth to be graded an “A+” but a solid “B-“ would be fine.
The Final Verdict: Guilty or Not Guilty?

René Clair’s rendition of "And Then There Were None" was surely a very unique approach and
had a very creative interpretation. Having been produced in a time where modern
advancements for film was not really available yet, the film did what it had to do with what it has.
Like the mansion that the characters lived in, the whole film has many rooms … for
improvement. It was like an underwhelming meal from your favorite restaurant. We certainly
hope that Mr. Owen would not come for us if he ever reads this review.

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Angelo Capulong, Geraldine Caratao, and Rejean Medina December 14,

DEATH FROM THE UNKNOWN:

The Perfect Setup

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

The Crime Scene's Narrative

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

The Final Verdict: Guilty or Not Guilty?

BSEE 37: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature Movie Review

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