A Study in Terror (1965)
Mar. 12th, 2019 08:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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victorian221bI've recently watched Murder by Decree (1979) with Christopher Plummer and James Mason, a Sherlock Holmes vs Jack the Ripper movie which has a subdued thriller-like atmosphere (as one would expect) and a most human Holmes (a pleasant surprise). After that I just had to compare it with an earlier Ripper installment, and I liked it even more.
The one starring John Neville and Donald Houston is in Glorious Technicolor, where the world is bright and vivid in spite of it being a tale about the serial killer and where everyone is ridiculously pretty, even the last whore of Whitechapel. Watson is on the bumbling side, but he is an adorable golden retriever and a delight to watch.
Holmes is a bit of a bungler too, by the way, although his disguise as a tramp was simply brilliant.
And I really enjoyed the dynamic between them.
There was a precious moment when Holmes asked Watson to make a scene in a soup kitchen for a case, and Watson did that magnificently. And oh, that scene involved a young Judy Dench.
As the investigation continues, Holmes brings Watson to the East End, having promised him a date. Too bad Watson counted on something posh.
After they leave the pub, they are attacked. They deal with that, of course (Holmes has a blade hidden in his cane), and Holmes gives Watson a solemn promise to take him to a fashionable restaurant. Watson says this:
Another highlight of the film is Mycroft, who comes to Baker Street to ask Sherlock to take on the case which Sherlock is already investigating (unbeknownst to Mycroft).
Later on Mycroft is unhappy with the way Sherlock proceeds, and he lectures his younger brother while Sherlock scrapes on his violin. I just loved John and his little comment here, and then how he merely watches Mycroft throwing a tantrum. This changed my perception of Mycroft as pure logic sans emotions. Surely he must have a passionate side just like Sherlock does. Headcanon accepted! And Watson knows how to handle a Holmes ;)
All in all, this film is now one of my Holmes favourites. If you wish for something light and comforting which will make you a little happier after watching, I highly recommend it!
By the way, it turns out I read the novelization of this film by Ellery Queen long before I watched the film. Alas, the book is disappointing: it has none of the fabulous humour, and Watson is too silly there.
The one starring John Neville and Donald Houston is in Glorious Technicolor, where the world is bright and vivid in spite of it being a tale about the serial killer and where everyone is ridiculously pretty, even the last whore of Whitechapel. Watson is on the bumbling side, but he is an adorable golden retriever and a delight to watch.
Holmes is a bit of a bungler too, by the way, although his disguise as a tramp was simply brilliant.
And I really enjoyed the dynamic between them.
There was a precious moment when Holmes asked Watson to make a scene in a soup kitchen for a case, and Watson did that magnificently. And oh, that scene involved a young Judy Dench.
As the investigation continues, Holmes brings Watson to the East End, having promised him a date. Too bad Watson counted on something posh.
After they leave the pub, they are attacked. They deal with that, of course (Holmes has a blade hidden in his cane), and Holmes gives Watson a solemn promise to take him to a fashionable restaurant. Watson says this:
Another highlight of the film is Mycroft, who comes to Baker Street to ask Sherlock to take on the case which Sherlock is already investigating (unbeknownst to Mycroft).
Later on Mycroft is unhappy with the way Sherlock proceeds, and he lectures his younger brother while Sherlock scrapes on his violin. I just loved John and his little comment here, and then how he merely watches Mycroft throwing a tantrum. This changed my perception of Mycroft as pure logic sans emotions. Surely he must have a passionate side just like Sherlock does. Headcanon accepted! And Watson knows how to handle a Holmes ;)
All in all, this film is now one of my Holmes favourites. If you wish for something light and comforting which will make you a little happier after watching, I highly recommend it!
By the way, it turns out I read the novelization of this film by Ellery Queen long before I watched the film. Alas, the book is disappointing: it has none of the fabulous humour, and Watson is too silly there.
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Date: 2019-03-15 04:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-03-15 06:42 pm (UTC)