THE MASKS OF DEATH
UK, 1986, 80 minutes, Colour.
Peter Cushing, Anne Baxter, John Mills, Ray Milland.
Directed by Roy Ward Baker.
The Masks of Death is a very entertaining, brief Sherlock Holmes movie. Peter Cushing portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the 1959 The Hound of the Baskervilles. Here he has another opportunity, portraying Holmes as older, at the verge of World War One. He is also somewhat cantankerous, has moments of self-doubt which are soon put aside and has a very misogynist attitude, aggravated by the guest presence of his former enemy, Irene Adler, who defeated him in a scandal in Bohemia. Cushing, of course, is very good in the role - and enjoys a couple of disguises as well.
The film is also very entertaining because of John Mills as Dr Watson. He is more in the Nigel Bruce vein, though not so blustery and not quite so missing of the clues. His getting rid of an assassin from a train carriage is very effective. John Mills provides the voice-over commentary for the plot.
In the supporting cast are Anton Diffring and Gordon Jackson doing typical roles as a German count and a Scotland Yard detective. The guest stars include a brief appearance by Ray Milland as the Home Secretary and Anne Baxter quite beguiling as an ageing Irene Adler.
The film has excellent production, is from a story by John Elder, who used to write many of the Hammer film scripts. The direction is by Philip Martel, also from Hammer, and the direction is by Roy Ward Baker, veteran of many British films and also some of the horror omnibus films of the '60s and '70s.
1.The popularity of Sherlock Holmes? An entertaining story? Mystery? The World War One setting?
2.The re-creation of the period, the Edwardian period, clothes and decor, country estates, London? Manners and style? The musical score?
3.The 1926 opening, Holmes in retirement, Watson and his memoirs? The role of Watson, Boswell to Sherlock Holmes? The friendship between them, the trust? The stories, Watson's assistance, helping with the solving of the mystery?
4.The title of the film, reference to the victims? The calling of Inspector McDonald? The explanation of the deaths, the corpses and their shock? Holmes's interest, going to the mortuary? Holmes and Watson interrogating the beggar on the street, his explanation of the demons? Holmes not making the connection with the German count? The later connection? The realisation of the gas, the work in the sewers, the empty hotel and the casks? His going through the sewers, disguised, with Dr Watson? Opening the door, forcing the Germans to go out - and their arrest? His reasons for understanding the plot?
5.The visit of the Home Secretary and the German count? Holmes's knowledge of the count? His accepting of the case from the Home Secretary? Going with Watson to the country estate? Their being welcomed? The explanation of the German prince and his abduction? Holmes and the examination of the room? Following the clues, in the night, the car, the quarry, the explosion and his almost being killed? His realisation of the trick? Going in the car with the chauffeur, in the train, changing trains, the information from Irene Adler, the attempt on his life by the chauffeur, his disguise (and eluding Irene Adler)?
6.Dr Watson, personality, interest in the case, working with Holmes, at the country estate, awakened in the night, the explosion, his getting rid of the chauffeur from the train, meeting Irene?
7.The German count, his reputation, German neutrality, lobbying the United States senators, the Home Secretary, wanting Holmes off the detection? The plot, his son, the guests, the chauffeur? His deceiving Holmes and reading him correctly?
8.Irene Adler, memories of the past, her career in Washington, her friendship with Holmes, his attitude towards her, misogynistic? His eluding her?
9.The British background, pre-war, the government, the police, guests at country estates? Atmosphere and period?
10.The story in the tradition of the Sherlock Holmes stories and films?
