Search - Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles on DVD

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John Bray | Louisiana, USA | 01/27/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I really don't want to waste too much time reviewing this movie. In fact, I wasn't going to write a review at all, until I saw the average five star rating. It turns out, the other review here is an advertisement, which is perfectly legal...why not?

But I must warn you, this is an AWFUL adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles. While Kenneth Walsh is a very good, though somewhat elderly Watson, Frewer is embarrassing to Watch as Holmes. In an interview, Frewer claimed that Brett did not play up Holmes' intellect enough. If you Watch Frewer's Sherlock films, not only will you see a performance that lacks intellect, but falls into the kind of accidental slapstick that Monty Python would praise and try to emulate for true comedy.

Perhaps it is because I am a fan of Brett that I was so turned off by this particular production. But looking again at my collection, I have both Cushing performances (excellent), the Rathbone movie (also excellent), the Roxburgh adaptation (I might be spelling his name wrong..that version had atmosphere, but misfired on the relationship between Holmes and Watson), and this version simply does not stand on its own for any reason I can think of. In fact, it sinks deep into the proverbial mire.

There are so many wonderful Sherlock Holmes movies out there...why waste your ninety minutes and your money?

"

Appalling

Andrew Fabbro | Aloha, OR | 10/22/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen every Hound adaptation on DVD and this is the worst one by far. I don't mind Frewer's Holmes too much, and I found Welsh's Watson to be serviceable, but there are two things that completely sink this movie.

First, many of the high points of the story are completely absent! It literally ends about 3/4s of the way through the story without an abrupt, pointless ending. Much of the fun of the story is missing...discovery of Holmes on the moor? No. Mention of the villain as a throwback to Sir Hugo? No. I could go on. The ending is particularly dumb - the motivation of the villain is never explained...if you'd never read the story, you'd be wondering why he did it. And of course, he throws himself into the open in full view of everyone without a prayer of realizing his ambitions. Easily the worst screenplay of Hound ever written.

Second, the atmosphere is uneven. The London scenes are good and the Baskerville Hall interiors are well done, but the moor looks like a schoolyard park...dark and foreboding? Hardly. It looks like a travel brochure for Ireland.

There are so many other good adaptations - Brett's, Ian Richardson's, etc. Skip this piece of junk."

Okay if you only watch the Welsh as Watson parts

A READER | USA | 08/16/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I came on this on television and happened to turn it on late. So the major portion of the movie I saw was of Ken Welsh as Watson. Welsh did a very good job and scenery was beautiful. Unfortunately, I watched the entire movie. Max Headroom as Sherlock is not something I ever wanted to see!

The guy doesn't even have a period haircut. He'd got his Max Headroom haircut. He could of at least had sideburns and tried to look the part.

Frewer could have tired to act like Sherlock Holmes instead of trying to mold homes into Max Headroom. Sherlock as flippant does not work. Neither does the borderline forced humor. In fact, the other actors also seem to do poorly (with the noted exception of Welsh) when Frewer is acting.

There are loads of good versions out there. Basil and Jeremy, and probably (though I haven't seen his version) Ian. Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the BaskervillesSherlock Holmes - The Hound of the BaskervillesDr. Bell and Mr. Doyle - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes

So either skip this, or fast forward whenever Frewer is on and only watch Welsh."

Not the Best Version

Andrew Raker | PA | 08/02/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"After having viewed nearly all film versions of "The Hound of the Baskerville" as well as read the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I have to say that this Hallmark version is not the best. Certainly, it contains more action then some of the other versions, but it is not very realistic to the story and leaves out many important scenes.

Now, you may enjoy a faster paced film, and sometimes I do, also. However, I cannot stand Matt Frewer as Sherlock Holmes (he is very cynical), and Kenneth Welsh is too elderly to play a reasonable Dr. Watson.

My recommendation is as follows: If you want the most loyal version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles," purchase the 120 minute version starring Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke. While the Brett version is not perfect and shows a low production cost, it is definitely more watchable than the Hallmark version. Also, Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are good actors to play Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

For viewers who want a more exciting version of the film that is still somewhat true to the novel, I recommend the 80 minute version black and white version starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Just make certain you buy the Rathbone DVD transfer ASIN: B0001DCYBE from MPI rather than some poor DVD transfer.

Now, of course there are many other versions of this film. If you have the money, you could purchase them all and compare. However, I believe what I have written above is accurate (as least for this Sherlockian)."