The Movies That Inspired Knives Out (and Glass Onion)

[@JustWrite]

If you end up watching any of these movies (or have already seen them), let me know what you think here! #CastMaggieSmithInKnivesOut2

[@InsanityDancing]

While I haven't seen many crime thrillers overall, Clue has been one of my absolute favorite movies for years. The energy of it, the cast, the theatrics and many cultural references... I just adore it. The other movie from the list I've seen is Gosford park, which I also adored. Honestly, this video has made me want to rewatch it even more.

[@brianjensen1390]

Clue is one of my top 10 favorite movies, which kind of hurt my ability to like knives out. Every time is did something like clue it made me want to pause it and go watch clue.

[@davidalbee5039]

Oh yes, please give us #MaggieSmithinKnivesOut2

[@OrdinaryRobin]

I've seen six of them, some of which have been favorites since childhood. I know it's just my opinion, but I loved Murder by Death since I first saw it decades ago (thanks, mom), and I feel you may be judging the film a bit unfairly.

[@totlyepic]

Saw Gosford Park around when it first came out (I wasn't even a teenager yet). Pretty sure it was wasted on me since I remember next to nothing about it. Will have to give it a rewatch.

[@Himewna]

Clue is such an easily quotable underrated gem. It's so dumb and fantastic and I LOVE it.

[@youtubingjaguar5082]

*opens door* I am a singing telegram. *BANG!* ;)

[@cayreet5992]

It's also extremely hard to write a murder mystery in a way so three solutions make sense.

[@youtubingjaguar5082]

@@cayreet5992 And in my opinion, all of the endings made sense, but I rewatched it with my dad recently and he said that they [the writers] had to write Clue in such a way that each party member *_could_* be the murderer. And while I get why they limited themselves to only having 3 endings, but they could have made an ending where each person at the party was guilty, even "Wadsworth" because they left things just ambiguous enough to where it is plausible that one person was the sole killer, or there were more than one killers in the house. Along with the ambiguity in who killed or did not kill whom, every one of the central cast has enough of a motive to kill (Even Mr. Green) people in order to prevent their secret from getting out. But writing more than three endings that all make sense would just make the writers's jobs harder than they already were. ;)

[@starrsmith3810]

@@youtubingjaguar5082 the last ending pretty much had everyone be guilty of something

[@AlasdairGR]

I resent Clue being called dumb. It’s writing is so clever and hard hitting and it’s satire of McCarthy-era America is wonderful.

[@TS-mw5me]

Here for the 'Clue' love. You also left out the fact that Tim Curry is so amazing, he stands out not just from Christopher Lloyd, but ALSO Madeline Kahn and Michael McKean. Seriously, it's an absolutely stacked cast (another Knives Out feature!) that even as it's considered a classic, does not get the recognition it deserves as just a timeless, fantastic piece of cinema.

[@phastinemoon]

Travis Sauder And Leslie Ann Warren.

[@auldthymer]

@@phastinemoon Eileen Brennan! (Also in Murder by Death)

[@TheFirstLaughingFool]

Has Tim Curry ever phoned in a performance? The man gives every role 110% no matter how small or petty.

[@thekiss2083]

Literally never. Not in a Nickelodeon cartoon, not in direct-to-video Scooby-Doo sequels, not in audiobooks, not in video games, not in crappy Titanic knockoffs. The man is an absolute gift.

[@youisstupid2586]

TheFirstLaughingFool thats a man who loves his job.

[@Malky24]

@@thekiss2083 Him corpsing in the Red Alert 2 video is a personal internet highlight. It was so funny the studio just kept it in. "SPAAAACE!"

[@Sandw1chBoy]

@@Malky24 that one is peak Tim Curry.

[@jmchez]

His angtsy demon in, "Legend" is something to behold! Visually and aurally.

[@katherineburtt2502]

I was not raised by my mother, an avid mystery fan, to put up with this blatant disrespect of David Suchet’s Poirot.

[@marvel096]

Katherine Burtt preach!

[@muse7562]

Hear, hear!

[@endel12]

David Suchet is the only true Poirot

[@FranciscanGypsy]

Thank you! The only Poirot! The only actor who took the time to understand and properly represent M. Poirot.

[@lukacunningham342]

I agree with all of you!

[@thewishfulthinker]

You know, you're really going to have to do a sequel to this where you talk about TV mysteries. I can already see the David Suchet stans in the comments coming after you! But really, he is the best Poirot. His performance is incredible, unquestionably definitive, and it's a shame it never made it to the big screen. The ABC Murders is the one I'd recommend as a starter.

[@Katy133]

I would love it if Just Write did a whole video on JUST the David Suchet Poirot mysteries!

[@gudldj]

@@Katy133 yes please

[@hollyingraham3980]

Only if he learns the name is pwahROH not poyROH. It's not film noyr but nwar.

[@CiarnaK]

So glad Murder by Death made it in to the video! Maggie Smith's "Oh, that's tacky! That's REALLY tacky!" has become a fun throw around line in our family.

[@TheCatandCrystalWitch]

That is the best line in the whole film, and Smith’s delivery is perfect.

[@Boundwithflame23]

Wait wait wait You’re telling me the same actress who plays Professor McGonagall has been in MBD this whole time and I never ever recognized her?! Granted yes she was a whole lot younger but still… Man I need to watch that movie again and see if I pick up on it at all

[@sonjadarby1158]

I LOVE Murder By Death and Clue. I rewatch both frequently.

[@janknuckey]

Out of these 10 films, Maggie Smith is in 4 of them! (and gets most of the memorable and hilarious lines!)

[@Paul_Simon]

I too am so glad Murder By Death made it into the video…but it’s treatment BY the video is ridiculous. The cast is epic, the screenplay, while very dated, absolutely nailed the satire of some of the most famous detectives in literature (including MORE Agatha Christie among others)- making this mention only a footnote undercut your larger point. Johnson has stated multiple times the three biggest influences were Clue, Murder By Death and the Choose Your Own Adventure book “Who Killed Harlowe Thrombey?” I’m glad you mentioned some of the ones you did, so maybe a title change is all this needs.

[@alex0589]

"Why is it when something bad happens, it's always you -three- Maggie"

[@nickkurtz512]

David Suchet is the ONLY Poirot

[@j3fk4]

agreed!

[@katherinealvarez9216]

...can’t disagree. He is.

[@TheMJKenny]

100% I was literally about to comment this. So so true

[@AlwaysTolkien]

Nick Kurtz preach!

[@andrewklang809]

Yeah, it felt like Finney was deliberately playing him like a bad actor would in a film-within-a-film. Suchet was still playing him like a French/Belgian stereotype, but with restraint and dignity. It was never a farce with Suchet.

[@TheDelinear]

I know this is specifically about movies, but having just watched the Knives Out video and then this one, I feel like Columbo deserves a hat tip. The part in the previous video specifically about story structure is interesting if you apply it to Columbo. There, we see the murder happen first and foremost. Often Columbo doesn't even make an appearance until a third of the way into the story, and the killer and victim are the focus. To that end, it would seem to fit the "crime" genre rather than the "detective" genre. Columbo's performance going up against the murderer fits this too with the often playful back and forth which becomes more antagonistic on the part of the killer as they feel the net closing in. And then it feels like there is a genre switch into detective towards the end of the episode, when you realise Columbo how Columbo has pieced things together, leading into the big reveal. Some episodes do this better than others for sure, but I do enjoy the unconventional story structure of Columbo's mysteries, where the mystery for the audience is not "whodunnit" but more often "what clues did the killer leave/how will Columbo trip them up".

[@adamsbja]

I agree, Knives Out definitely takes a lot of structure from Cloumbo, and then twists as it keeps subverting its own expectations. I think the main thing about that setup is that it takes the focus off the detective. A Poirot mystery, no matter how wonderful, is a Poirot story; a Columbo mystery is the killer's story where this annoying detective is showing up. That's something Rian Johnson's talked about doing deliberately.

[@calciferhowl3559]

Fact you might enjoy: Columbo is a sub category of the mystery genre called "Howcatchem?" We know who did it but not what clues get them caught.

[@teejaykaye]

Clue is the only one of these movies I've seen and it's one of my favorite comedies of all time, it's just so goddamn hilarious and I love it to death

[@hughcaldwell1034]

I only saw it once and wasn't overly impressed, but I's having a bad time for other reasons and plan to revisit it. Meanwhile, Deathtrap is an absolute masterpiece and I enjoyed the film almost as much as the live performance I saw.

[@overlookers]

*{ Meanwhile, in the future Knives Still Out trailer}* "Detective, we seem to have a new suspect..." Blanc: "Anothaaa wone?" Maggie Smith: "Hello, Benneh..." Blanc: "Mothaaa?!!"

[@andrewklang809]

Oh HELL yeah.

[@ericainspace]

OMG YES.

[@azurzelle]

I need this. frankly, Maggie Smith neds to be in everything.

[@ShellsGhost1]

YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I read this in both of their voices, PLOT TWIST! Tilda Swinton plays ACTUAL Maggie Smith who is also a suspect. The two have the most delicious arguments.

[@thekiss2083]

holy shit I NEED THIS

[@georgeetboom7719]

Are you not watching David Suchet's Poirot.!!!!! His TV series is the best re-encation.

[@darkelmo2023]

I literally was looking through the comments to see if anyone else correlated him before I did, thank you for speaking truth! Haha

[@georgeetboom7719]

@@darkelmo2023 like, how you doi g a murder mystery vid and not include David Suchet

[@Katy133]

I was just about to type this! David Suchet is my absolute favourite portrayal of Poirot.

[@nickkurtz512]

GEORGEE T Boom Suchet is the only one who can perfectly capture the personality that of one Hercule Poirot. I love Kenneth Branagh as a actor but I feel like he’s Poirot felt flat and good fuck that mustache! It’s like two mustaches laying atop from each other-AHHHHH. It should be short, waxed and simple.

[@aceup1]

Lol I was just about to say that but BOOM! Your comment was there, waiting for me.

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

Excuse me, David Suchet is the best Poirot and the fact you said otherwise makes me question everything else you’re about to say. That mans dedication to playing the character and portraying the traits and mannerisms exactly as Christie wrote them while maintaining accuracy over years of episodes is simply astounding. He did not stray from the Christie character at all and no one else can even hold a candle to him.

[@juanitajones6900]

I don't agree. All of the actors who have portrayed Poirto (at least the ones I have seen) were first-rate to me.

[@headphonic8]

he absolutely strayed from her character in Murder on the Orient Express. In the book he's very lighthearted and literally jokes about a suicide. But they turned it into some drama where Poirot is on the verge of tears with some religious moral battle.

[@motherlode628]

Agreed. I cringed immediately when he said that. David Suchet is and will always be The Poirot for me.

[@saraho92]

Wrong.... Suchet is the best Poirot. End of. Case closed.

[@a_lethe_ion]

Yeah, what an utter disgrace.... Suchet isnt just the best poirot he IS Hercules Poirot.. Their version of this is shit tho, or at least un-poiroty

[@JohannesMariaRunge]

Was about to write the same.

[@GoUpv13]

EXACTLY

[@sergey_is_sergey]

But only in the early ones. I hate how they tried to make Poirot "gritty". Poirot should never be "gritty". Poirot should never be depressing. Murder On The Orient Express with Suchet just seems weird and alien compared with the initial run with him.

[@jackhsbayliss5432]

@@sergey_is_sergey Murder on the Orient Express, is one of Poirot's darkest points though where he's torn between the moral and the lawful, it's the same in the book and I always found the additions in the Suchet versions only emphasized that struggle, other stories such as Curtain also paint Poirot in a darker light I don't think they necessarily tried to make it gritty those stories just were. Whereas the Kenneth Branagh version practically makes Poirot into RDJ Sherlock Holmes with a brawl over a bridge

[@Sandw1chBoy]

I hated her...SO...MUCH...It-it-th-flame, flame, FLAMES...on the sides of my face...

[@CiarnaK]

Heaving--breathing--!

[@purplegoop8559]

best line ever

[@yesspazsmith9895]

Best line in the whole film.

[@Sandw1chBoy]

@@purplegoop8559 My favourite thing about it is that (like so much of the film) it was completely improvised, and Madeline Kahn kept causing ruined takes as she was just making it more and more over the top and no one could keep a straight face.

[@movieswithsammykitty]

Sandw1chBoy you can also tell that she kept going, and they just had to cut it somewhere; cause it kind of cuts off. Such a brilliant and funny movie

[@kenkoopa7903]

Fun fact: The Last of Shiela was written by Stephen Sondheim, the famous Broadway composer and lyricist. It's the only screenplay/book he's ever written.

[@VonWenk]

It's co-written by Anthony Perkins.

[@kenkoopa7903]

@@VonWenk Ahh, I see.

[@leewitten4758]

WHAT?!?!

[@TheDelinear]

Also, Benoit sings Sondheim's "Losing my Mind" during Knives Out. This was a direct tribute from Rian Johnson to the fact that Sondheim was a huge fan of the murder-mystery genre. Sondheim would throw murder-mystery parties for his friends, which was a big inspiration behind The Last of Sheila.

[@eileenheath1968]

Sondheim was casted in Glass Onion.

[@waywardwillard]

The man who wrote Gosford Park, Julian Fellowes, also wrote Downton Abbey. So in addition to all the similarities to Knives Out, Gosford Park also has the same upstairs/downstairs dynamic, overall look and feel, and casting of Maggie Smith as Downton Abbey.

[@drewdederer8965]

It also owes an acknowledged debt to "The Rules of the Game" a pre-WWII French Classic, with the party, the upstairs/downstairs dynamic and a murder (which admittedly isn't much of a mystery). This one was so biting, it was attacked by both the 3rd republic government and banned by the Nazis after they took over. Oh yeah, don't worry too much about what happened to the master of the house, we have it on good authority he ran a roulette wheel in a club in Morocco.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@drewdederer8965 You might like the gently comedic (though it does ultimately pack a punch) English version, The Shooting Party. James Mason gets a rare opportunity to play a good guy.

[@dakotawaters2930]

The man's a genius. It's mind boggling watching how he successfully flushes out 1,000 characters. Lol!!

[@SabeFett]

Okay...but...David Suchet was the best Poirot.

[@IQzminus2]

This 100% When I read the books I tend to prefer miss Marple. But David Suchet is just so perfect for the role of Poirot that I prefer everything he is in over the many adoptions of movies, mini series and series with miss Marple

[@jmchez]

His version of "Murder of the Orient Express" is the best. Brannagh's version is an abomination!

[@alanpennie8013]

Absolutely definitive. He IS Poirot.

[@karlkarlos3545]

and the most boring one.

[@Coffeeseed]

Overall, yes... But TV is a totally different category.

[@jaxie4878]

How could you forget Sleuth!!! This is the one movie I was waiting for you to mention since like Knives Out, Sleuth also has a healthy dose of class commentary.

[@vb8428]

Me too

[@floraposteschild4184]

Aside from Agatha Christie, Sleuth had the MOST influence, from the sets to the class commentary to the character of Harlan Thrombey, which was obviously inspired by Andrew Wyke.

[@WilliamButtlicker]

I was hoping for it be in the video too, Sleuth is a gem.

[@SidneyBroadshead]

The "Jolly Jack" mannequin in the foyer is a reference to _Sleuth_ (1972). Andrew Wyke (Lawrence Olivier) has a similar mannequin in his house.

[@TheDelinear]

Rian Johnson tells a story (which he admits may be apocryphal) about how the protagonist in Sleuth is based on Sondheim, who wrote The Last of Sheila and was a huge fan of the genre, and the title was almost "Who's Afraid of Stephen Sondheim," so it does seem like a big one to miss from the list.

[@HowdyDuty4]

I feel spoiled. Clue was one of the first movies I remember seeing and it has guided my love for Tim Curry ever since.

[@Katy133]

Just Write: The film stars Albert Finney as the best version of Poirot you'll find. Me: David Suchet says hello.

[@jasongeorgis3483]

I want to echo what Just Write had to say about Clue and Deathtrap. The humor in Clue is so stupid yet self-aware and all so perfectly executed that I was cackling like a madman while watching it. Tim Curry's performance in the classic "reveal" scene is pure genius. But when it comes to self-aware murder mysteries, Deathtrap is the magnum opus. The amounts of meta in this movie is bordering on the absurd, but it tows the line brilliantly so you don't completely check out from the story being told. Both are definitely worth the watch if Knives Out left you itching for a goofy, meta take on murder mysteries.

[@VonWenk]

I saw Deathtrap at the movies when it came out and remember being kind of shocked at the kiss in the middle.

[@christianemden7637]

I’m so happy you included the last of Sheila an almost unknown jewel. I would disagree about clue being the one movie you have to see, for me the last of Sheila is taking that spot.

[@cyanimation1605]

I kept expecting some sort of Westing Game twist, where Christopher Plummer wasn’t dead and he wanted whoever solved his murder to inherit the company. But wow, what happened was so much more complex.

[@calaphis3468]

That's what I thought too!

[@ethanrichmond3992]

Me too!

[@PanAndScanBuddy]

TBH I think he knew. He realized his medicine had been switched, he said he wasn't afraid of death, but he ensured that she would get the inheritance. Crazy old man.

[@maia_gaia]

I was the same way! But I think a huge part of that was wanting to see more of Christopher Plummer's performance. He was great, and his relationship with Marta made me so happy

[@timmyturner493]

@@PanAndScanBuddy I feel like that almost misses the point tho. He's so self- and drama- obsessed that he doesn't stop to listen to his nurse when she tells him to do something reasonable, instead deciding that this is the perfect time to be smarter than everyone else. He's a victim of his social class just as much as every other character imo.

[@purpleghost106]

Finney is allowed to be "P-why-roe" so long as David Suchet remains "P-wah-rho" ;D (Always loved the way Suchet emphasized the French pronunciation of Poirot)

[@purpleghost106]

Edit: Thanks to you, I think I'll watch/re-watch each of these. The first Orient Express movie version of "Poirot" has, imo, more in common with Clouseau of the Pink Panther movies than Poirot the book character. (But to be clear I actually like the Pink Panther movies, I just prefer Poirot to be serious and competent-- even though he's pompous. That to me is what makes a good adaptation of Poirot.)

[@cayreet5992]

@@purpleghost106 I watched the movie today and I never saw Finney act in any way like Sellers did as Clouseau. He was quirky, but he showed competence throughout the movie.

[@discoverybg31]

Murder by Death is a classic. Anyone who likes mysteries should watch it.

[@auldthymer]

Sam Diamond(!) and his Girl-Friday, Tess: Tess: Twain picked up Sam in a gay bar. Sam: I was working on a case! Working. Tess: Every night for six months?

[@peggysweeney1282]

'The last time that I trusted a dame was in Paris in 1940. She said she was going out to get a bottle of wine. Two hours later, the Germans marched into France.'

[@LittleV179]

@@peggysweeney1282 you could have told me we needed oil when I went back for the gas.

[@rubytuesdayphoenix]

Tess: He was very good to me. He would take me to the circus and give me candy. We stopped going when I was about twenty-six. I'm sorry, Sam. Sam: Twenty-six? What the hell kind of a circus was it? 🤣

[@fzcbh4698]

I felt Dangan Ronpa first game take some inspiration from Murder by Death, like being locked to solve the crime that will happen and the idea of missing one of the kitchen knives.

[@onezerotwo]

THIS GUY IS GOOD BUT HOW DO DARE YOU DUNK ON DAVID SUCHET. *throws down a gauntlet* HOW DARE U SIR!

[@crgrier]

The multiple endings of Clue was indeed promoted. The tag line was, "Who dun it depends on where you see it!" It was a failed effort to get the public to visit several theaters, paying each time, to discover all the endings.

[@CurtWedin]

A good counterpart to Deathtrap is the 1972 film Sleuth. (Which, incidentally, prominently features one of the Thrombey estate puppets.) It's pretty great.

[@rick-potts]

Sleuth is Superb. One of the best two handers put to film.

[@Site_42]

I was only glancing sideways at “#CastMaggieSmithinKnivesOutTwo” and I thought it was a Mikey Neuman “Muffled Catawampus” and laughed.

[@davidv4018]

Imagine Maggie Smith in a Knives Out 2 by JJ Abrams. Near the end of the movie and out of the blue she says: "I...am...Dora Charleston".

[@JadedJada]

The idea of Kenneth Branagh holding BACK on a potentially over-the-top performance is baffling and a little frightening to me.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

The weird thing about this guy saying that is that Kenneth DOESN’T hold back in the movie, so it’s just extra weird. Like, did we even see the same movie?

[@davidv4018]

I enjoyed the movie, and at the time i thought people were being unfair to it. I feel the same today, but it feels like there is something missing: like it is not too excentric nor too serious nor too funny. I hope the second one finds the right spot; i know i am gonna watch it doesn't matter the format in which it is released.

[@Tovec8]

Clue is legitimately my all time favourite movie. Every performamce, every prop, the composition of the mystery and investigation, it is just fantastic. It deserves to be far more well known than it is.

[@cayreet5992]

I agree. Comedy-wise, it's a bit of a 'love it or hate it' movie, since it is pretty over the top (which I love in a comedy), but from the technical standpoint, its a masterpiece.

[@4Kcomix]

Rain Johnson also said the show “Columbo” was an inspiration for the movie’s structure

[@JenniferJones-hw9wu]

Columbo is THE BEST

[@andreasoldini3449]

Seriously? Colombo is Columbo in the U.S.A?ahahahahahahah It's too much🤣🤣🤣

[@star88wars]

It makes sense, in Columbo you already see how the crime is committed. The way he solves the mysterie is the objective

[@alanpennie8013]

@@star88wars Blanc's performance of bumbling obliviousness struck me as very much modelled on Columbo.

[@ew6483]

I’m just gonna leave this here: it’s pronounced ‘Pwaro’

[@RetepAdam]

Like Sbarro.

[@cazia9]

@@RetepAdam Yup - one more time for the cheap seats - pwah-roh

[@brandchan]

Okay, I thought I was smoking crack and though he got in wrong in the video but I was like have I been wrong this whole time?

[@harlowethrombey1526]

"If you only watch one movie from this, watch 'Clue'." Agreed!

[@lad9732]

Clue is such a gem. Im glad it gets the recognition it deserves

[@annematusiewicz3712]

In the Hot Fuzz director's commentary, they said they wanted to make a film you could watch again and again and see the clues right there in front of you the whole time, like two other movies: The Usual Suspects, and The Last of Sheila. I've watched The Last of Sheila at least twenty-five times in the past five years and it seems like there's always some new detail to notice. And a knockout ensemble cast, as well! Seriously awesome.

[@emmahiggins]

What Knives Out reminded me of most was Agatha Christie's Crooked House (the book, haven't seen the movie). Head of the family is murdered by being injected with a dangerous substance that got switched around for their medicine. Then all of his relatives and his couple of servants are under suspicion for killing him to get their part of the inheritance.

[@likopinina6803]

I highly recommend a French movie "8 women" by Ozon. I was constantly thinking of it while watching "Knives Out"

[@angiefiore8673]

The entire cast of Clue is incredible! But Tim Curry still takes the cake!!

[@alwaysxnever]

If Tim Curry as a person is anything like his performances, I swear, I love this dude. Still breaks my heart that he suffered a stroke.

[@FatherTime89]

Clue is one of my favorite comedies ever. I rented it from a Blockbuster bargain bin once, not expecting much, and it was so funny I missed some of the jokes because I was laughing so much at the previous jokes.

[@Windupchronic]

Paramount did advertise that Clue would have three different endings, even if it wasn't in the trailers. Papers used to run ads for movies, giving showtimes for local theaters, much the way a service like Fandango does now, just without the ability to automatically buy tickets through a newspaper. The newspaper ads for Clue not only said the movie had three different endings, but told you at which theater you could see each ending. Also, I love Gosford Park. Highly recommend it.

[@onlyashes89]

That’s a real shame. I always liked the idea that two people could go and see the same movie but come away with a different outcome without realising it.

[@stephenmitchell9520]

It totally sucks that I totally understand why you felt the need to explain newspaper showtime listings, beyond the fact that you wanted to explain the "ending/location " aspect.

[@vitod7425]

The new “Murder...” movie is great. I do like both, and while the classic is better in some ways, I saw the remake on a Sunday afternoon matinee in a theater full of old people, and that was one of the most pleasurable experiences I’ve had at the movies ever. Everyone laughed when they were supposed to, everyone was quiet during the quiet scenes, and everyone left in a light pleasurable mood. I couldn’t recreate the experience with the original which I saw at home, alone.

[@amyZRE]

I think you missed "Sleuth" by Joseph L.Mankiewicz , but I loved these reviews. Nice video!!!

[@thenightowldude]

I can also recommend the movie Sleuth (1972), also starring Michael Caine - a very similar plot to Deathtrap.

[@nirvanachile24]

And the sailor statue in Sleuth is in the Twombly house in Knives Out. An obvious homage.

[@thenightowldude]

@@nirvanachile24 Yes - I love all those automatons - really creepy

[@jasongeorgis3483]

I'm DYING to see Sleuth but for some reason you can't rent it anywhere >:(

[@BenCol]

Jason Georgis It’s on KZbin. At least, it was when I watched it.

[@olga5943]

There is also a remake made in 2000s with the same name

[@torysaccount5753]

I laugh at the end scene where she lifts the mug with “my home“ on it in the frame literally every time

[@mrbisco]

When Clue came out it was advertised as having multiple endings

[@georginatoland]

mrbisco - When I saw it in the theater, there was a small sign that told people in line which ending they would be viewing. “This showing of Clue will be Ending A.”

[@MrBaskins2010]

More movies should follow this route. Imagine three different endings to Inception

[@sartorius73]

@@MrBaskins2010 My head is hurting just thinking about that.

[@martinsorenson1055]

The DVD has all the endings.

[@DeepanshuSharmaSTARK1115]

Movies in order -- 1) Murder on the Orient Express 2) Evil Under the Sun 3) Death on the Nile 4) The Mirror Crack'd 5) Murder by Death 6) Private Eyes 7) Clue 8) The Last of Sheila 9) Deathtrap 10) Gosford Park

[@willsaponaro]

Thanks!

[@VonWenk]

I actually tried to see The Mirror Crack'd when it came out, but I arrived to the theater late, and for some reason, I've yet to see it.

[@beaudoctor5160]

Thank you! Really😄

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

There’s something poetic about murder mystery film veteran Maggie Smith becoming most iconic for her role in the equally mystery-novel templated Harry Potter series.

[@jennifermears7245]

Love love love Gosford Park - a constant barrage of subtle yet essential snippets of detail. You have to stay constantly alert - no sentence, no glance, is without some meaning. It’s like a 1930’s film, with wit & style & total self-confidence.

[@jennifermears7245]

And Clue cracks me up every time!!! Simply love Madeline Kahn!

[@StefanTetelepta]

No Sleuth? Thats the best of all. I saw the Michael Caine version when i was a teenager and i never saw the first twist coming

[@VonWenk]

Michael Caine is in both versions.

[@jackinthebox1993]

Knives Out was one of my favorite movies of 2019! Thank you for uploading this video! 📹

[@neohermitist]

Peter Falk as Sam Diamond in Murder By Death is fantastic. It's worth the watch for his performance alone. There is a scene where he is ragging on the other detectives that one will never tire of viewing.

[@thebookworm6554]

YES!!!! You talked about some of my favorite movies ever (Muder on the Orient Express is also one of my favorite books ever), and now I really want to see the others there I haven't seen yet. Some things that came into my mind as I was watching: 1- Murder by death is hilarious. I haven't seen Private Eyes but if it's any better, I'm excited! 2 - I can't believe you talked about The Mirror Crack'd and didn't mention that it's Angela Lansbury who plays Mrs. Marple. She will later be known for playing Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote - where her character is a modern version of Mrs. Marple. 3- Gosford Park is so wonderful and so underrated, I'm so happy someone is talking about it. And the cast!!! 4- Murder on the Orient Express is just so good, it gives me goosebumps every time I see it. I like Kenneth Branagh but the newer version feels like it really missed the point. Except Michelle Pfeiffer as Mrs. Hubbard, she was the best thing in this movie. Anyway, thank you for making this video (I know I'm two years late, who cares), it really put a smile on my face.

[@Laura-xx7lj]

My favourite thing about Christie stuff as well is that she was riffing on the Golden Age of Detective Stories an in particular Knox's 10 Commandments/Rules of Detective Stories, in that she throws them all out and riffs on all of them. So when something riffs on Christie, its just meta on top of meta which is amazing.

[@jvgreendarmok]

This is something Rian Johnson has mentioned. If you're going to subvert the Christie style, chances are she's already done it.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@jvgreendarmok In over 50 years of tricking the reader there weren't many subversions she didn't try out.

[@Dreamweaver393]

I've loved murder mystery who done it movies since I was a little girl. Finding this video with a list of most of my favorite ones, including Murder on The Orient Express, Clue, and Murder by Death, has been a delight, and makes me wanna binge-watch them all.

[@gailcbull]

David Suchet is my personal favourite Poirot. But that's because he was the first Poirot I ever saw on screen.

[@davidv4018]

Honest.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

I finally got to watch Knives Out last week because I was stuck at home doing nothing

[@BlackCanary87]

"Solving a mystery while staying home and doing the gardening" -- you've just described the Nero Wolfe books, which received an EXCELLENT adaptation on A&E: A Nero Wolfe Mystery starring Timothy Hutton.

[@alanpennie8013]

The detective who leaves it to others to unearth the clues is a regular recurring trope of detective fiction.

[@fallingstars360]

I love the reaction to Diana Rigg. If you really want some fun mystery, fantastic ideas, and breaking of the fourth wall PLEASE watch The Avengers with Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee. You do not need to watch the seasons in order.

[@rick-potts]

Just leave this here: Sleuth The 1972 version.

[@Hegder]

Very surprised this isn't on this list.

[@unetoutautrehistoire-lacul957]

"Sleuth" is a masterpiece. Michael Caine, Laurence Olivier and Alec Cawthorne (probably his best movie). You should NOT research on Google any information about this movie or you will find some spoilers. Go watch it!

[@ElwoodDowd]

@@Hegder It heavily influenced the film, as per the director himself. Very odd that this isn't here!

[@peggysweeney1282]

Agreed, I was waiting for that too. A jumped-up pantry boy who never knew his place!

[@jvgreendarmok]

The laughing sailor mannequin from Sleuth (or a very similar one) appears at the start of Knives Out.

[@TheRealJims]

Great write-up. I feel like "Death on the Nile" got the short shrift here but I get why you glossed over it (with the Christie section pretty large already). Murder on the Orient Express is definitely the more "meta" and technical plot, whereas Nile is fundamentally more of a character story. The solution to Death on the Nile is pretty darn slick, too. Looking forward to the remake.

[@johnblack3204]

Clue is one of my favorites! Madeline Kahn is also fantastic in the movie."Flames! On the side of my face!" The whole movie is just endlessly quotable, the multiple endings are phenomenal (the last one is my favorite), and the fact that every actor knows exactly what movie they're in just makes it a classic. Please everyone, if you have not seen Clue please watch it!

[@MrCREWCRUSHIN95]

You missed the BEST one - and the one Johnson has referenced as a huge influence - 1972’s SLEUTH with Laurence Oliver and Michael Caine.

[@RDWheat]

It reminds me of an old choose your own adventure book, Who Killed Harlow Thromby?

[@chaneloberlin573]

That’s where the name Harlan thromby came from I think tbf you probably already knew this because it’s so obvious

[@Malky24]

"It also contains Maggie Smith." and the late, great David Niven who featured in your Agatha movies as well. I also hold my hand up for David Suchet being the best Poirot but Ustinov was really, really good too! Also I'm not gay but I might be for Tim Curry. I absolutely bloody love him.

[@IW-ow9cp]

I was surprised when I clicked on this video to see that it's completely genuine and not a prank.

[@esteicy98]

I just watched Clue thanks to this recommendation and I think it just became a new favorite of mine, it was so funny and unique! I laughed so hard but also the mystery was really good, the three different endings were all amazing, each crazier than the previous one. Honestly it's a pity that this movie isn't more appreciated, before this video I didn't even know it existed. But I am glad I know it and I'll make sure to re-watch it.

[@Orenady]

Your praising of Finney/dismissal of Suchet better be an April Fool's joke. o_0

[@martinsorenson1055]

I think this should tell him that there's a whole other world of murder mysteries that he has yet to discover.

[@pca1987]

Of course I know who Diana Rigg is. She's Emma freaking Peel. She's also Teresa 'Tracy' di Vicenzo aka Teresa Bond.

[@schuylerthackeray5834]

Sorry but David Suchet is BY FAR the best Poirot! And that version of Murder on the Orient Express far superior.

[@floraposteschild4184]

Nah. It was a gloom fest. The earlier movie hit the tone just right.

[@romanmeneghinister1584]

2:24 Thems Fighting Words. David Suchet just has so much charisma and does a great job of being full of odd manorisms who doesn't possess any real physical traits of a typical hero, but is polite and incredibly observant.

[@ruminudo]

Deathtrap reminds me a lot of Sleuth, which Rian actually cited in an interview. Have you seen it?

[@Bribri-us9yh]

I've only seen Clue and Gosford Park but, after watching your reviews, I'll probably go and watch every other movie you mentioned in this video!

[@MichaelDoppe]

No Sleuth? The scenic/prop design of knives out is lifted directly from sleuth, as well as the murder mystery author trope that sleuth inspired deathtrap.

[@VonWenk]

Did the murder mystery author trope from Sleuth inspire Deathtrap? They both were originally plays after all.

[@alanpennie8013]

@@VonWenk The family resemblance is very noticeable.

[@martinacold9255]

Big fan of Dame Agatha and her trailblazing literary works....it wasn't until I did a deep dive into her quotes on specific topics.....she was not a fan of p.o.c to put it mildly. She was very vocal and steadfast in her beliefs. Thus for this avid reader prompted the proverbial "side eye". I appreciate you Agatha, but I see you. Hugs from Asia 🌺 After living in Europe and Asia for quite some time, I understand why she is revered and considered a literary elite. Thank you for explaining the talent that is Diana and linking for us GOT fans, just like with Christie I'm a fan of the books !

[@gregoryjkane]

Check out "Sleuth" with Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine! I prefer it to the others on your list.

[@katherinealvarez9216]

This is great. I love seeing what inspired Knives Out, and I definitely seen some of these.

[@RD-lt3ht]

Not really a "who dunnit", but more a HOW-could-it-be-done and WHY-it-is-eventually-done, two-character study, is 1972's Sleuth...brilliant. And because they're fun, both made for TV versions of "One Of My Wives Is Missing".

[@VonWenk]

Wait. There's a version besides the one with Jack Klugman? I had no idea.

[@RD-lt3ht]

@@VonWenk Yes, but I mistakenly referred to it by the klugman title. The other has Elliott Gould in Klugman's role and is known as "Vanishing Act". Also found out that there was a 3rd telemovie, "Honeymoon With A Stranger", that starred Janet Leigh. Google the Klugman title and find other interesting info.

[@VonWenk]

@@RD-lt3ht I remember One of My Wives Is Missing being initially broadcast just before Quincy debuted. I really liked it, and I think Levinson and Link wrote it. I also liked Murder by Natural Causes and Rehearsal for Murder.

[@RD-lt3ht]

@@VonWenk Thanks for mentioning Rehearsal for Murder; thought it was a different movie, but quick Google search led me to the actual movie I thinking of, but who's title escaped me -- "Guilty Conscience", 1985 -- starring Anthony Hopkins.

[@VonWenk]

@@RD-lt3ht Thanks. I may check those out.

[@Yepsuredid]

Clue is one of my all-time favorite movies. Glad to see it get covered 👍🏾

[@cthellis]

“...as the best version of Poirot you’ll find.” Blocked. Reported. Defenestrated.

[@JeffKelly03]

I thoroughly enjoy the fact that you mentioned The Last of Sheila, since this obviously came out before we knew any Glass Onion details and Rian Johnson has since said that movie was the most direct inspiration for the plot of Glass Onion. Well done.

[@EphraimRyan]

"HERkyool Pie-ROW"

[@endor8witch]

funny enough when they were casting olenna back then, I was thinking of maggie smith. i always picture her as the snarky olenna cause she played it so well in Downton abbey.

[@scotthallgv]

Id forgotten about DEATHTRAP! Such fun, but yeah CLUE is for sure the best hands down.

[@peterparkour9405]

6:54 when you accidentally reference glass onion 2 years before it comes out

[@JustWandering]

DAVID SUCHET OR BUST. Sorry, I stopped watching.

[@cayreet5992]

Open up your mind. Both Finney and Ustinov were excellent as Poirot. I like Suchet, but I also enjoy them both very much.

[@JustWandering]

@@cayreet5992 You're allowed to have that incorrect opinion.

[@danielrowson3379]

The Suchet Poirots aren’t films so I’m not sure they count for the purposes of this video. I do love them though.

[@JustWandering]

@@danielrowson3379 Some of them are definitely film-length and were essentially released as TV movies.

[@TheGeorgeD13]

He’s never seen the David Suchet stuff. He clarified that he was only talking about theatrically released films on the character.

[@WeWantBears]

A curious love for interesting stories - I love this channel.

[@JanPospisilArt]

Ummm, I'll excuse you for being wrong. The best and only true Poirot is of course - David Suchet. What a silly mistake to make.

[@cayreet5992]

No, he's not. Both Finney and Ustinov also do a very good job as Poirot.

[@rockysage7760]

Thank you for this! I haven't seen a single movie you've mentioned in this video. But Knives out was one of my favorite movies of last year. So I'll go watch them now.

[@SuPeRNinJaRed]

1:59 Spoiler alert... the Train did it!

[@Hegder]

It's funny you mentioned Clue and Murder by Death (both of which I love) because Rian Johnson has specifically said they didn't influence him because they aren't true mysteries that the viewer can solve (they're parodies and their solutions are absurdist jokes). The Thromby estate in Knives Out is more based on the Wyke Mansion in Sleuth (the automata in Knives Out are a direct reference). Fun video still!

[@Orenady]

Please do yourself the favor of checking out the David Suchet Poirot series (they did 70 movies over 20+ years) and the Miss Marple series from the 1980s and the 2000s. The acting of the main characters is on point, even as the various Ms. Marples each have a slightly different take on the character.

[@Orenady]

While I love Angela Landsbury in Murder She Wrote, the only thing I remember of her portrayal of Ms. Marple is how much I preferred the other portrayals.

[@andrewklang809]

Spectacular idea for a video. Not only full of suggestions for those new to the genre, but also adding lots of new elements to look out for upon a Knives Out rewatch. I've seen five of the ten, and never really considered the direct inspirations.

[@plantmom4909]

Wow really did snub David Suchet... hate to see it

[@falconeshield]

He probably made the Poirot comment for the over the top version of 2017 Poirot. He needs to make an apology for David Suchet and cover the 1989 show.

[@chapablo]

"Sleuth" got snubbed!!

[@pintsizedpicasso3402]

It sounds like The Last of Shelia in particular was also a big inspiration for Knives Out's sequel glass onion!