And Then There Were None Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Ten guilty people get invited to a remote island by a mysterious host who subjects them to a lethal game of ‘Ten Little Indians’ until… wait for it… there are none!

🍿 And Then There Were None: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Summons to Indian Island

Ten strangers, each with a dark secret in their past, are lured to a secluded island off the coast of Devon, England. Invited under various pretenses by a mysterious U.N. Owen, they arrive at a grand manor only to discover their host is nowhere to be found. The group consists of Judge Francis J. Quincannon, Dr. Edward G. Armstrong, Philip Lombard, Detective William Henry Blore, Vera Claythorne, Prince Nikita Starloff, General Sir John Mandrake, Emily Brent, and the two servants, Thomas and Ethel Rogers. The initial unease escalates when a gramophone record is played, accusing each guest of having committed murder and evaded justice. Isolated and cut off from the mainland, the group realizes they are trapped with a potential killer among them, setting the stage for a deadly game.

The Ten Little Indians

As the guests grapple with the shocking accusations, the first death occurs – Prince Nikita Starloff collapses after drinking poison. Panic begins to set in as the guests realize the deaths are mirroring the lines of the nursery rhyme “Ten Little Indians.” Each death corresponds to a line in the poem, and with each demise, one of the ten Indian figurines on the dining table disappears. Accusations fly as the remaining guests try to uncover the identity of U.N. Owen. They search the island, desperate to find their unseen host, only to realize that the killer must be one of them. Paranoia grips the group as they turn on each other, alliances form and break, and the body count continues to rise.

The Unmasking of the Killer

As the number of survivors dwindles, the remaining guests become increasingly desperate and suspicious. Vera and Lombard find themselves as the final two, each distrusting the other. After a tense confrontation, Vera seemingly kills Lombard. Vera returns to the house, only to discover a noose hanging in her room. As she’s about to succumb to despair, Judge Quincannon appears, revealing himself as the mastermind behind the murders. Suffering from a terminal illness, he sought to deliver his twisted form of justice to those who had escaped the law. He manipulates Vera into taking her own life, believing she’ll be hanged for the murders otherwise. However, Lombard is revealed to still be alive, and they are both discovered alive by the boatman, thus diverging from the original book’s ending.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Judge Francis J. Quincannon (Barry Fitzgerald): A calculating judge who orchestrates the events on the island, seeking to deliver his version of justice.
• Vera Claythorne (June Duprez): The newly hired secretary haunted by a past death she’s accused of causing, caught in the deadly game.
• Philip Lombard (Louis Hayward): A mysterious and resourceful adventurer with a hidden identity, suspected of a dark deed in Africa.
• Dr. Edward G. Armstrong (Walter Huston): A charming but alcoholic doctor accused of a fatal act of malpractice, struggling to maintain composure.
• Detective William Henry Blore (Roland Young): A former police inspector turned private detective with a shady past, attempting to solve the mystery.
• Emily Brent (Judith Anderson): A rigidly moralistic and unforgiving woman accused of driving a young man to suicide, facing her own judgment.
• Thomas Rogers (Richard Haydn): The nervous and dutiful butler, along with his wife, are suspected of murdering their former employer for inheritance.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Emily Brent: “Very stupid to kill the only servant in the house. Now we don’t even know where to find the marmalade.” – Said with dry wit, highlighting the absurd situation as the guests start dying.
• Judge Francis J. Quincannon: “Gentlemen, we are all in grave danger. It is my considered opinion that Mr. Owen is one of us.” – The Judge points out the unsettling truth that the killer must be among them.
• Philip Lombard: “And then he takes the chopper and splits open his own cranium. Fact. I’d like to see you do that yourself.” – Lombard’s dark humor expresses his skepticism regarding Blore’s attempts at deduction.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $800,000 (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 And Then There Were None Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved ‘And Then There Were None’! The way the tension builds as each character meets their end, and you’re constantly guessing who’s next, is just brilliant. The moment when the recording plays, accusing everyone of murder, sent chills down my spine. I was hooked until the very end, trying to figure out who the killer was, making it a truly engaging classic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic mystery”
  • “Agatha Christie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who appreciate suspenseful plots with clever twists”
  • “Those interested in classic film noir”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Murder”
  • “Suspenseful situations”
  • “Themes of guilt and retribution”
  • “Outdated racial terms (historical context)”

Professional Reviews

• Slash Film: “Even though ‘Knives Out’ is a modern mystery classic, ‘And Then There Were None’ set a high bar for the genre decades ago. The movie creates a claustrophobic and suspenseful atmosphere, making audiences question the motives of each character until the very end.
• avclub.com: “‘And Then There Were None’ is a benchmark for whodunits, featuring a cast of accomplished actors and a carefully tuned score. The black-and-white photography enhances the oppressiveness of the setting, creating a viewing experience that resonates even today.
• user review: “Rene Clair’s masterful direction takes Christie’s classic novel up to a new dimension more suitable for cinema. Every character is perfectly realized by magnificent acting. This movie is a true treat for all the senses.

Audience Reactions

The ensemble cast and their performances are highly praised, making each character memorable.: Viewers consistently mention the well-crafted mystery and suspenseful atmosphere that keeps them guessing.

The film’s ability to maintain tension and surprise even after multiple viewings is a strong point.: The classic whodunit structure, combined with Agatha Christie’s ingenious plot, delivers a satisfying experience.

Overall Consensus: A classic whodunit with a strong ensemble cast and an engaging mystery that has stood the test of time.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s ending differs from Agatha Christie’s novel; the movie follows the ending she wrote for the stage adaptation, which provides a more upbeat resolution.”
• “Due to the sensitive nature of the original novel’s title (‘Ten Little N*ggers’), the film was released as ‘And Then There Were None’ in the United States.”
• “Rene Clair, the director, was a prominent French filmmaker who made this film while working in Hollywood during World War II.”

🖥️ How to Watch And Then There Were None?

And Then There Were None (1945) is available for streaming or purchase on various platforms. Check Amazon Prime Video for rental or purchase options. You can also find it on Apple TV and other digital movie retailers. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check your preferred platforms for the most up-to-date options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed And Then There Were None, you might like these similar films:

• Murder on the Orient Express (1974): A classic Agatha Christie adaptation with a star-studded cast and intricate mystery.
• Identity (2003): Modern thriller with a similar premise of a group of strangers trapped and murdered one by one, with a twist.
• Clue (1985): A comedic whodunit based on a board game, featuring a group of strangers in a mansion being murdered.
• The Old Dark House (1932): An isolated group of travelers are forced to seek shelter in a mansion inhabited by a strange family with dark secrets, evoking similar paranoia and suspense.

🛒 And Then There Were None Related Products

• Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None (Hercule Poirot Series): The original novel that inspired the film. This edition offers a comprehensive reading experience with the original ending.
• Agatha Christie Collection (DVD Set): A collection of Agatha Christie adaptations. Offers multiple hours of mystery and suspense.
• And Then There Were None Board Game: A board game where players take on the roles of the characters, trying to survive and deduce the killer’s identity. It’s a strategic game that tests your detective skills.
• Ten Little Indians Bookends: A set of bookends with the theme of ten little indians.

🎧 Soundtrack

And Then There Were None features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Ten Little Indians” – performed by Uncredited

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Soldier Boys (ft. the Soviet Republics)

Ever wondered what ‘And Then There Were None’ would look like as an animated short? This creative fan video reimagines the chilling rhyme in a unique way – I never thought it could be this catchy and creepy at the same time!

10 Strangers Invited to a Remote Island Only to Get Killed One by One by The Unknown Host

Need a quick refresher on the plot of ‘And Then There Were None’? This recap video breaks down all the key events and characters in a concise way – perfect if you’re short on time or just want to jog your memory!

And Then There Were None: Control

Want to hear someone else’s thoughts on the ‘And Then There Were None’ miniseries? This video dives into the reviewer’s favorite parts, including the fantastic cast and chilling ending – I’m curious if you agree with their opinions!

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