Stars: Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Christopher Lee, John Le Mesurier

Director: Terence Fisher

Summary: An adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's murder mystery set on Dartmoor.

From Hammer House studios, this 1959 version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Sherlock Holmes book stars Peter Cushing as Holmes and Andre Morell as Dr. Watson. A spectral hound is loose on the moor, intent on eating the lastest heir to the Baskerville estate. Only one man has a chance of stopping it carrying out its grisly mission; Sherlock Holmes.

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Reviewed by: davybozal24-7
Posted on March 18, 2006 6:50 PM

They don't make films like this nowadays . Hammer Films version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel is acted to perfection by the ever reliable Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and the fine actor Andre Morell as his faithful companion Doctor Watson. Something is afoot
on the moors and our hero is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery whatever the price. Big mad dog scares the life out of the locals and no one will dare go near the moors at night as there are treacherous bogs and marshes. Christopher Lee co-stars in this howler.

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It could have been a stroke of genius reuniting Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore in a send-up of The Hound of the Baskervilles. In the event, director Paul Morrissey goes for Carry On-style humour: plenty of coarse word-play and camp innuendo, but little wit or subtlety. Cooke is a rather androgynous Sherlock Holmes, while Moore inexplicably attempts a Welsh accent to portray Dr Watson (his cameo as Holmes' mother is far less contrived). The support cast is a compendium of British comedy acting of the period--all now departed, and clearly relishing the one-liners and musical-hall farce. There are excellent contributions from Max Wall, Joan Greenwood (priceless in the seduction scene), and--in one of his last major screen appearances--Terry Thomas, as well as a winning "madame" from Penelope Keith. Don't expect even a free adaptation of Conan Doyle's novel, just let the humour take its enjoyably silly course.

On the DVD:The Hound of the Baskervillesfilm reproduces very decently in the 4:3 aspect ratio, with stereo sound that's not too artificial in effect. Special features consist of nine biographical overviews, the re-release trailer, and a six-minute interview with director Morrissey. Die-hard fans of "Pete and Dud" will most welcome the inclusion of the original theatrical feature, playing for almost 80 minutes and featuring extra footage of Moore's wonderfully inept piano playing. --Richard Whitehouse

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Original Trailer
Year:	1959
Release Date:	October 20, 2003
Runtime:	83 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	22432 D V D
Label:	Midnite Movies
Keywords:	General, Mystery, Hound, Baskervilles, Drama, Thriller, Whodunnit
Genre:	Mystery/Whodunnit