A STUDY IN TERROR

UK, 1965, 95 minutes, Colour.
John Neville, Donald Houston, Robert Morley, Anthony Quayle, Judi Dench, John Fraser, Barbara Windsor, Adrienne Corri, Frank Finlay, Barry Jones, Cecil Parker.
Directed by James Hill.

An imaginative story combining Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with Jack the Ripper. There was a great resurgence of interest in Sherlock Holmes during the 1970s with such imaginative films as The Seven Per Cent Solution in which Freud treats Holmes and Murder By Decree which takes up again the story of the Ripper and Holmes. There was a satire, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes's Smarter Brother and earlier in the decade Billy Wilder had made The Private Life Of Sherlock Holmes with Robert Stevens and Colin Blakely. There were the regular Sherlock Holmes stories and remakes through most of the decades since talkies.

This film has John Neville as an acceptable Holmes and Dr. Watson is played blusteringly by Donald Houston. There is a guest appearance by Robert Morley as Mycroft Holmes. The English supporting cast for this film is excellent with Anthony Quayle and Judi Dench leading it. A curiosity item is that Frank Finlay plays Inspector Lestrade and plays the same role in the 1979 Murder By Decree. There are some horror elements and some gore in English horror style. All in all, an entertaining and interesting speculative thriller.

1. The popularity of Sherlock Holmes and the tradition of films about him? His appearance, style? His detection and methods? Mannerisms? The support of the blustering Dr. Watson? Dr. Watson's participation in the investigations. his writings? The popularity of Conan Doyle's stories? Further stories made up about Holmes and Watson?

2. The interest in Jack The Ripper? The speculation as to his identity? The horror of his murders in the 19th century? The interesting blend of Holmes and the Ripper?

3. How plausible was the solution? The identification with Royalty? The motivation? The cover-up? Audience curiosity? The recreation of the Victorian era?

4. The atmosphere of Whitechapel, the streets, the hotel, the police, the hospital, the world of Parliament and Royalty, the nobility and the Duke of Shiers and his estate? Colour photography, the sets, costumes and decor? An authentic atmosphere of the times? The songs sung in the pubs and the entertainment? The people of Whitechapel, the prostitutes? The contrast with aristocracy?

5. The film's use of violence, shocks, blood? The editing for pace and shock? Realism?

6. The presentation of the Ripper murders? The streets of Whitechapel, the prostitutes in action and their deaths? The hotel, the singer, the clientele? Holmes and Watson visiting the bar? Steiner and his running of his hotel?

7. The character of Holmes, his style? Seeing him at work, his discoveries? Relaxations? Relationship with Inspector Lestrade? With his brother Mycroft? Watson and his function as chorus? Admiration? The device for the screenplay of Holmes spelling out the details of his investigations and discovery? Watson's participation in the work? Inspector Lestrade and Scotland Yard? Mycroft and the Prime Minister and the commission?

8. Dr. Murray and his role as surgeon, a suspect for being the Ripper? His assistant and his madness and the revelation of the truth? Sally and her support of Dr. Murray? The link with Lord Carfax? The detail of his work, the examination of the corpses and the autopsies? His involvement? His character and the truth about him? The character of Sally and her support?

9. The Duke of Shiers and his arrogance, cutting off his thumb?

10. Lord Carfax and his interest in his brother, his relationship with Sally, his innocent appearance? His help? The revelation of the truth and his madness? Audience surprise at the revelation about him?

11. Steiner and Angela and their plan, the tools sent to Holmes, the discovery of the truth? Steiner and his brutality? Angela and her disfigurement? Her cruelty towards Michael? The blackmail? Their being destroyed with Lord Carfax in the fire?

12. How well did the screen play provide clues? The details of Holmes's investigation and his method?

13. How satisfying a period entertainment? Thriller? Audience speculation and curiosity? Audience interest in Sherlock Holmes? The Ripper - how satisfying was the film for audience response?