Hound Of The Baskervilles DVD

 The Hammer version of Sherlock Holmes
Hammer Films revived the classic horror movie with a cycle of productions starting in 1956. Apart from the use of colour film the overall budgets, the time spent on rehearsal and the amount of shooting days were very restricted for each film. The Hammer formula was therefore to deliver more of everything inexpensive. Blood and horror, graphic violence and not surprisingly sex as far as the censors would allow. This is the sure road to vulgarity and all Hammer films touched the vulgar to a degree. "The Hound of the Baskervilles" clearly shows the Hammer touch but fortunately in this movie the blend works well. It is a satisfying Sherlock Holmes movie and actually one of the best film versions of Conan Doyle's famous novel. Peter Cushing and Andre Morell are well cast as Holmes and Watson. Cushing is a dry intellectual Holmes, arrogant and self-confident but at the same time almost exploding with energy. Holmes just can't keep his body at rest at any time. Morell gives us a competent Watson without any comedy. The horror element is clearly there. The villains are very cruel and Dartmoor and Grimpen Mire are as treacherous as ever. Almost every character in the movie looks like he or she is hiding something. Dark shadows, mist and fog, strange satanic rituals performed in old ruins. Add the ominous howling of a strange and terrifying creature. The voluptuous actress Marla Landi completes the Hammer formula as Christopher Lee's love interest. And Lee looks smashing as an arrogant heir to the Baskerville estate. The film manuscript re-arranges the original novel somewhat without destroying it. The main point is still there. The rational and intellectual Sherlock Holmes doing battle with the dark and possibly supernatural forces of evil at Baskerville Hall. And this time Holmes is assisted by a doctor Watson NOT behaving like a bumbling fool. The dark and sinister tone is strengthened by the fact that a lot of the characters appear to be less than lovable. There is not much of a family friendly tone is this movie. Only the character Frankland offers some brief episodes of comedy. This is an old movie and it looks old. But it has atmosphere like a classic oil painting. It is a colourful and lively trip into the land of mystery and horror. It is one of the best Hammer films and one of the best Sherlock Holmes movies. The amount of blood, gore and sex looks tame by modern standards but the old standard did quite well for this movie.
Submitted by lars (Denmark)
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