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The Hound of the Baskervilles | Year: 1959 Classification: Mystery / Suspense Directed: - Terence Fisher Actors/Actresses: - Peter Cushing - André Morell Mixed results in first and last Hammer Holmes adaption If anybody was born to play Sherlock Holmes it was Peter Cushing. Sure, Basil Rathbone owns the role but Cushing manages to portray Holmes quirks better than just about any other actor that has taken on the role. Hammer's Hound bears very little resemble to Arthur Conan Doyle's original, but does manage to inject atmosphere into this Holmes adventure. What's really refreshing is the fact that Watson isn't portrayed as a bumbling idiot as he is in the Rathbone series of films. Christopher Lee is a bit miscast as Henry Baskerville and the role is significantly underwritten. Lee gives a solid performance but it's evident in watching him that he doesn't quite have a handle on the character. Part of the blame can be layed at the foot of Jimmy Sangster's occasionally incomphrensible screenplay. It's also possible that director Terence Fisher may have had a hand in rewrites as he was known to do so (and the result was usually pretty incoherent). Fisher's direction is confident and involving although it lacks the zip he exhibited in his finest Hammer films. The color photography is stunning on this MGM/US transfer and the analog artifacts are kept to a minimum. The extras (particular the observations by Lee on his frequent co-star Cushing)are enlightening at times. Although not the ultimate Hound adaption, Fisher's film is solid entertainment even if it does take signficant liberities with the story. Beware the moor while darkness reigns and evil is exalted! The most famous Sherlock Holmes story is given a fine Hammer Films treatment. Peter Cushing, more famous for his movie roles as Dr. Frankenstein and Van Helsing of Dracula fame, does very well as Sherlock Holmes. Cushing's late-Victorian portrayal is faithful to the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Andre Morell is quietly dignified as Dr. Watson. Christopher Lee is atypically cast as the romantic lead, Sir Henry Baskerville. The screenplay is generally faithful to the original novel, although Conan Doyle purists will notice some differences and even omissions in the story's characters. The lush color photography and the rich, old English decor of the sets enhances the spooky atmosphere. Baskerville Hall reminds the viewer of Castle Dracula transported to a remote area in England. The classic mystery tale with supernatural overtones of the hound of hell that haunts the foggy moors and stalks the Baskerville family remains chilling. Although this film is not really targeted at children, it can be recommended as an ideal introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes for the next generation coming up. It's also great entertainment for older viewers who may recall seeing this film and other Hammer horrors at the Halloween horror-fests at "a theater near you" back in the '60s. Make a big bowl of popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy the experience. What a waste of talent! Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing - sounds like a recipe for success! NOT! If you are not familiar with the original story, you will have a moderately hard time following along with this version. It seems very choppy at times and the plot is somewhat difficult to follow. If you are familiar with the original story, you won't like this one, which may as well be a different story altogether! Peter Cushing is a great actor, but was ill-suited for this script (since the story mostly revolves around Watson and Sir Henry, of course) - he would have been better off playing Watson. Christopher Lee is a great actor, but seeing him as a "good guy" makes me realise how poorly cast he was into this role. Also his acting appeared wooden, likely due to the poor scripting of Sir Henry's part. (Maybe he was familiar with the original story and was in shock the whole time regarding what was done with the plot...) Buy The Hound Of The Baskervilles at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Hound Of The Baskervilles Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Hound Of The Baskervilles This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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