User reviews

It's hard to find a single good aspect of the movie, except for strong acting from romanian star Gheorghe Dinica and surprisingly nice performance of Valentin Teodosiu, an actor which i my opinion deserves better roles then he usually gets in movies.

For the rest, the didactic speech of the main character, spread over half the movies, practically kills any interest for the picture quite quickly.

Mr Nicolaescu should realise that the audience is hardly interested in his vision about nobility, or in a romantic image of the last days of the romanian aristocracy.

With the two exceptions already mentioned, acting is 70'ish and of a poor quality, the movie has lost of clichés and generally speaking, without being a horrible experience, is practically a waste of time to watch.

You know, Sergiu Nicloaescu...he's a man most people living in Romania have heard of. As a matter of fact, when I participated at a certain seminar and people were asked to name a Romanian film director, his name popped up on most of the lists. I hadn't seen any of his films and simply had to be intrigued by such a seemingly mesmerizing person.

I suppose you all know the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover". It hardly applies, but you catch my drift. If art didn't have any political implications, maybe we'd have missed many masterpieces along the years. However, there is a certain limit where it all has to end. Most unfortunately, limits (still) tend to be overshadowed and misplaced around here...which might well explain a thing or two.

The film just isn't in any way how I imagined it to be. There's little of a storyline to follow, for it's a...aham, character study. Take note, authentically ONE character. Obviously, Nicolaescu's. The film goes so far as to harass the dignity an active human brain might possess. Nicolaescu's self-obsession is rather pregnant throughout the gazillion minutes the movie stretches and ends up being a severe insult brought not only to movie goers, but to the whole Romanian nation. It may sound harsh, but it's a fact, because it's an issue of image and we're way behind on this. 2004 really wasn't a glamorous year for Romanian cinema, but to present "Orient Express" to a foreign public is similar to inflicting yourself cut wounds. Luckily enough, such wounds heal, but it can take a while. About the film, well...people act very strange in the mystic forests around the prince's castle, while the superficial image of society is tasteless and hollow. Were it not for the unexpected beginning, I'd dare to say it's an endless bore. And, actually, it is.

Nicolaescu's effort consists of gathering a mostly talentless cast (not endangering his superior position) and then shooting an absolutely disappointing flick. I suppose he's got at least one good film in his credits, however, with Orient Express, he proves to be a most untalented director. 3/10

I know most of Sergiu Nicolaesu's work and somehow in my early childhood back in Romania I enjoyed it. There were mainly war movies going all the way from The Romans and Dacians till The Second World War battles. But this one is a caricature of a flick... No substance, bad acting, no camera movement just to name a few... The actors are incredible dull and shallow and the plot... but what the hack... there is no plot, just a narcissistic character with some gushy women orbiting around him. It seems as it was intended to be a C movie from the start and hopefully it does. So save your ticket and popcorn money for something more interesting.

I've seen this movie, and it is great. The actors are some of the best, but Sergiu Nicolaescu wanted to do something different, so he brought in some new ones.

I have seen most of Sergiu Nicolaescu's movies, and THERE IS NO COMUNIST PROPAGANDA IN THEM WHATSOEVER!!! I do not know what absolute idiot chose to comment this movie first...but it is obvious that he did not understand anything from it....probably his intellect is to low...

He said that Nicolaescu's movies are o no quality...but that proves that he is an imbecile... Sergiu Nicolaescu is one of the greatest directors, and many people agree that he is the greatest "battle scene director" in the world.

His movies are filled with "patriotism" because they have a history based topic. It is obvious that these high quality movies are not for idiots...

Orient Express is an extraordinary movie...a MUST SEE for anyone who can understand it.

Sergiu Niculescu is indeed quite a famous Romanian director. He actually got most of his fame by shooting war movies during the Ceaucescu area and he seems to have been quite good at it. He is now a controversial old man, a Senator and his word is key in funding Romanian movies with public money.

In Orient Express his character is played by two actors (himself) and Dan Bitman (the younger character) who is a well-know rock-star in Romania. The all plot is just an amazing example of self-praise and narcissism. No less than 4 women are actually in love with the Niculescu-character. The dialogs and shooting are flat and static. Barely any camera moves except for one or two traveling.

The film fails to capture the audience. When I watched it, the public laugh during the most pathetic/romantic moments...

The film recalls the spirit of a Niculescu earlier film: Ultima Noapte de Dragoste, shot in 1979.

The only interesting part is the lovely Miclauseni castle located closed to Iasi (North-Est Romania) where part of the movie has been shot.

I have seen the movie, and I think it's the renaissance of the Romanian cinematography. I liked it, I've always liked the aristocrat movies, and I think the director Sergiu Nicolaescu has proved once more that he is the most famous Romanian movie director ever. The Romanian cinematography has had a crack-up after the 1989-revolution which demolished communism, but now I think it started to come back again. It was a very nice surprise watching this movie and it gave me confidence for the future Romanian movies. I want to invite everyone to see it and then judge. I felt very sorry seeing some negative comments from some users, and mostly because they were Romanians... It's strange how some people like to pull down every good thing which happens in this country...

The kind of movie that let's you in it even though you left the cinema for a while. Makes room for that pure epic performance very few Romanian movies have. And still all that drama is Noble, not shocking. It let's you know that higher class is maybe not so bad, maybe dirt is not so much better then cleanliness, and it spits on every single movie promoting common things we see every day. A very brave movie because it doesn't try to make ordinary people feel good about themselves, it doesn't use issues that most people find themselves in. It has almost no connection to the real world, or any significant parts of Romanian history. It's a solitary and original movie from all points of view. A production that's worth respect.

"Orient Express" is a very good Romanian version of the classic movie "Il Gattorpardo" ("The Leopard" - en.). Unfortunately, like other Romanian movies, it's not a universal movie, it's a Romanian movie - difficult to understand for other culture. Of course, there is a difference between Nicolaescu and Burt Lancaster, but as director Sergiu Nicolaescu did a great movie. A bad element is that some romantic moments can be remarked as a little bit artificial, but we must not forget the environment, the circumstances of those years (between first and second word war)with a snobbery society. I also appreciated very much the music.

For me it's a "must see movie".

This is a great movie, worthy to compete against American movies from Hollywood. Sergiu Nicolaescu is one the greatest Romanian Director and even actor! Now he is old but he written history with his achievements and he will always be remembered as the first greatest Romanian actor and movie director! The new actors and directors are jokes! He is the only one that remains true! This movie was very touchy and realistic! The story was very good and if you're not Romanian you should search for a subtitle in your language then look at the movie! I rated the movie at maximum because it really worths!

P.S. If you're looking for a great Drama, Romance movie, here it is, if you want something else, this is not a good place to look...

The movie's overall has a great taste for anyone who loves crime and mystery.

For those who know the actor is not worth seeing this movie unless you leave aside your prejudism and think that Sergiu Nicolaescu is not in fact Sergiu Nicolaescu.

The actor here looks old - white hair and rids on his face. Don't judge. This movies implies simplicity and intelligence altogether. The actor does not wear any makeup and leaves his character to be seen as it is.

The plot is not all the way sincere because thats how all mysterious plots are. In the end it is felt and revealed what really happened.

It is a movie that requires patience and analysis. If you possess any of these skills then you will find this movie significant and mesmerizing.

I consider that by far this is an excellent movie.

Dan

... This movie is made for people who use their brains, and is seeking some answers to the world main questions.If you are wild about action, guns, sf or horror i assure you that you won't find these elements in it but instead it is a great psychological trip in a personal view.And I could say that the movie is more than a personal introspection into the character's body, is made to satisfy all categories of ages and is trying to measure what is worthing to do in life.It is a great gift that has been given by a great mind, Sergiu Nicolaescu. Take it as it is and please have at least a little more respect for someone who sacrificed his life on cinematography's altar. Thank you for reading this, Mihnea

it has many sins of Sergiu Nicolaescu films. in same measure, its great vulnerability are the dialogues. artificial, theatrical, unconvincing. the good point - the atmosphere. and the nice choice for Dan Bittmann in the role of young Moruzi. sure, it is a homage of director to himself. it is obvious this fact but not so bad. because, after the end, important is the voice from the past. the nostalgia and the lost beauty, the flavor of pink novels and the remember of Ecclesiastes. film about a life. about love, friendship, greed and selfishness. about lost of the beauties of the youth. and about memories. nothing original but enough for a not so boring trip.

I saw this film yesterday. with fear to be a disappointment. as piece for define Nicolaescu silhouette. and my verdict is not very enthusiastic - it is a self-portrait, a will and , in same measure, a grave. because it reflects his world. his vision. about himself and about Romanian society. because long speeches and not inspired dialogs are bricks for his posterity. it is a chaotic melancholic movie. a show of lessons. and broken stories. remarkable presence - Gheorghe Dinică. interesting presence - Dan Puric. but each of them is only promise. it is a strange film. not an adaptation. only a kind of diary. not bad but in many scenes - boring. drops, slices, shadows of feelings. and a figure of a prince far from time and people. an inhuman prince. crumbs from Felix and Otilia . fall of an universe and last gesture of a version for king Lear. and conclusion - Sergiu Nicolaescu was not an actor. only hanger. for its characters.

this movie is extraordinary! i have seen it just once but it remained in my mind as the best Romanian movie i have ever seen.everything is great:the story, based on the novel "Printul", by Tudor Teodorescu-Braniste, which is very strange and attractive at the same time;the landscaping;the music;the idea that makes Sergiu Nicolaescu once again a great director.The actors are playing just perfect.You can see great actors with small roles , but they play just great and they make the movie more interesting.The places chosen for the movie are outstanding.the castle, the sea side, Paris...the train rail....even the train itself!The end of the movie it's very sad, it made me want to read the novel!