Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

ThatMOVIENut Master sleuth Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) and his aide Watson (Andre Morell) are engaged to investigate the strange death of Sir Charles Baskerville, the latest in a long line of victims of his family's terrible 'curse'. Watching over the last in the family's line, Sir Henry (Christopher Lee), Holmes ventures onto the forbidding Dartmoor moors to unravel the enigma of the demon hound.The first Holmes adventure in colour, Conan Doyle's most popular story gets the Hammer treatment: blood, boobage and atmosphere. The film very effectively creates a sinister atmosphere of dark mansions, foggy moors and the monstrous howl in the depths of night, while ramping up the violence from the original story (including maulings, burning, attempted rape and a cave in), though never to the point of cheap exploitation and tastelessness, but in fact enhancing the Gothic ambiance Hammer is known for.What classes up the production, first off, is the great cast: Cushing is a near pitch perfect Holmes from the page: mercurial, thorough and a touch arrogant but always aware of the bigger picture and the risks involved. Morrell, the first new screen Watson since Nigel Bruce, ditches the classic bumbling for a stout and reserved military man who, though not as bright as Holmes, is still capable and determined to the case. Lee is in a rare sympathetic role as the last Baskerville, and gives it a fitting aristocratic bearing while making him more down to earth and even a touch bolshy.The second key point is a mostly tight screenplay that effectively condenses Doyle's story without making it a less compelling mystery that straddles the line of the supernatural very well. It does a good job at keeping the Hound as a background menace, building up to it slowly, while taking us through the steps of Holmes' investigation and his methods as we see him piece the affair together. If there are gripes here, is that there are some strands that go really nowhere and are more there just for quick thrills (like an element of human sacrifice, or the dubious portrayal of a key character that is never brought up again), and well, when you finally see the Hound... don't get your hopes up. Even for the time, it's rather a damp squib. Regardless, if you like your Hammer or classic horror in general, and love a suspenseful adventure yarn, this is a good 'un.

Lucabrasisleeps I read the book a long time ago so I don't particularly remember the details of the story. But I certainly the enjoyed the Hammer version very much. Here unlike other hammer movies, the violence is a little toned down and most of the events are implied rather than explicit. The movie is quite atmospheric and creepy for the most part. I loved the Gothic style and the scenery of the setting very much. And the women of course! Marla Landi is gorgeous as Cecile. Regarding Christopher Lee though - I am not sure he suits perfectly the character. When I saw him, I always thought there was something menacing about him. Maybe it is the Dracula hangover but still. But here he tries his best to appear calm and gentle. Peter cushing is perfect as Sherlock holmes, the wry humor and the quick deductions being the usual trademarks.The ending is pretty good as well, the buildup and the music doing the job. The one thing I can say about Hammer films is that they never try to extend the movie beyond what is necessary and it is always short and to the point. And they don't try to be pretentious either. There are some cheesy elements but for the most part it is an entertaining thriller. 7/10

ma-cortes Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Peter Cushing as Sherlock and fairly faithful to the source material. Holmes (Peter Cushing )and Watson(Andre Morell) are contracted by Doctor Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) for the investigation of killing Sr. Baskerville who is now inherited by his niece Sir Henry . Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee), who has returned to England to take his place at the family seat following the death of his uncle, Sir Charles Baskerville. Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and Dr. Mortimer believes he was frightened to death. There appears to be a curse on the family dating back nearly 200 years to when Sir Hugo Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound. Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest. Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Watson goes to the mansion ,there are the servants(John Le Mesurier) and he meets Stapleton and his daughter (Marla Landi). Meanwhile an inmate has escaped and on the moor sound the barking of a savage beast.This is an excellent and thrilling film with horror elements in Hammer style based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle .It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense and moody intrigue . The film gets mystery, tension, thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be a known story . Magnificent Peter Cushing's interpretation although the best Sherlock is forever Basil Rathbone. Cushing plays as Holmes as an intelligent, obstinate, broody, pipesmoking sleuth , his acting is similar to Jeremy Brett for TV or Nicol Williamson(Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer(Murder by decree). Here Dr. Watson isn't a botcher, bungler or clumsy partner incarnated by Nigel Bruce but a cunning and astute pal well represented by Andre' Morell .The movie has a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on the moor where lives the fearful giant beast ; besides the 223 Baker Street's house is well designed. Spooky and murky cinematography by Jack Asher . Eerie and creepy musical score by James Bernard . This atmospheric motion picture is accurately directed by the ¨Hammer House of Horror¨ master , the great Terence Fisher . Other version about this story are the following : the best version that still can be called a classic filmed in 1939 by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce y Richard Greene ; English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke . directed by Peter Hammond .

Dr Jacques COULARDEAU An old production of the BBC, but quite feasible still today. Don't expect special effects of course but the story is told just nice and clean. In this story you have all that could be frightening for the Victorians at the end of the 19th century. A blood line that could get lost or rather spoiled by the unknown son of one of the heirs of a title. The heir himself is dead but the son is coming strong. Then a monster animal of the dog family. The English have always liked dogs, but they seem to be afraid of some of them. A howling dog on a moor is of course quite frightening at night with a little bit of fog. Then a couple of loose women who are ready to do too much for a certain price without asking too many questions. When one of them does then she is nicely tied up clean and tight. Then some faithful servants but with divided loyalties because of a relative that is not very clean and they want to protect. That will reveal the good heart of the aristocracy. Then a few locals, vaguely seen between, two curtains and two doors that add some local color to the screen. And finally know-it-all Sherlock Holmes whose fame isn't to know the criminal but to trap him into accepting his guilt and proving it all by himself. He always succeeds so no problem there again. The only question is the punishment of that criminal. Will the police be brought into the picture or will they not? Will he hang or will he die in a more refined way. You have to go and watch the film pr just read Sir Conan Doyle.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID