THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Canada, 2000, 90 minutes, Colour.
Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh, Jason London, Emma Campbell, Robin Wilcock.
Directed by Rodney Gibbons.

There have been at least twenty film versions of The Hound of the Baskervilles. In English language films and television series Sherlock Holmes has been played by such actors as Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Jeremy Brett, Ian Richardson. After this version there was a brother television version with Richard Roxburgh and Ian Hart as Holmes and Watson. There have been many German versions. There is also a 1981 Russian miniseries for television and an Italian version.

This film was made by the Hallmark Channel, designed for a very wide and popular audience. Matt Frewer is quite eccentric and fussy in his portrayal of Holmes – and for those who do not like it, there is the advantage that he is off-screen for most of the latter part of the film. However, he and Rodney Gibbons went on to make three more telemovies of Sherlock Holmes stories including A Royal Scandal and The Sign of Four. Kenneth Welsh, however, is very suitable and effective as Doctor Watson.

The basic story is streamlined but the essential elements are present, the origin of the legend of The Hound of the Baskervilles with Sir Hugo, Stapleton and his wife posing as brother and sister in order to hound the Baskervilles to their death, setting a hound on them with the scent of their clothes or shoes. Doctor Mortimer comes to London to engage Sherlock Holmes’ help. The Barrymores work for Sir Henry who has come from the colonies and Mrs Barrymore’s? brother is out on the moors. However, the film is more straightforward than subtle – and it is suggested that it would be an encouragement for audiences not familiar with Conan Doyle’s stories to read them.

1.The continued popularity of Sherlock Holmes? The Hound of the Baskervilles? The nature of the appeal – the moors setting, the hound itself, the myth and the curse of the Baskervilles?

2.The British settings, London, Baker Street, the travelling to the southwest, the moors, Sir Henry Baskerville’s home? The moors and the marshes? Atmospheric? The musical score?

3.The focus on Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed by Matt Frewer, in the tradition of screen Holmes? His appearance, his manner, eccentric way of speaking, fussiness, interactions with Doctor Watson? Poking fun at him, using him? His not appearing through most of the film, in disguise on the moors, final revelation, shooting the hound, the explanations? A satisfying Sherlock Holmes or not?

4.Kenneth Welsh as Doctor Watson, his initial analysis of Doctor Mortimer’s cane? Holmes proving him wrong? His listening in to the information, the meal with Doctor Mortimer, going to the Baskervilles’, looking after Sir Henry? His letters to Holmes? Observation, involvement? His resentment at Holmes for being used as a chained tiger?

5.The myth of the Hound of the Baskervilles? The flashbacks to Sir Hugo?, the swirling visual style? The woman’s escape, Sir Hugo’s death?

6.Sir Henry, his return after his uncle’s death, his uncle fleeing the hound in terror? Sir Henry as young, from the colonies? Adapting to England? The disappearance of his boot in the hotel? Its later use for the hound?

7.The arrangement for Doctor Watson to accompany Doctor Mortimer and Sir Henry to their home? Doctor Mortimer and his explanation of what was going on? His suspicions? His assistant, her relationship with Sir Charles, the issue of the divorce, the money, Stapleton persuading her to write the note? Watson persuading her to tell the truth?

8.The household, the Barrymores, their service, the legacy, Mrs Barrymore’s? brother on the moors, the need for food, his having Sir Henry’s? clothes, his being pursued by the hound to death? His mental state, Watson trying to exonerate him with the law?

9.The Stapletons, their history in schools, brother and sister, the naturalist? Friendliness, visits? The meal? Miss Stapleton and her anxiety, warning Sir Henry? Stapleton and his friendliness, his being crossed, the fact that Miss Stapleton was actually his wife? The cover? His plan with the hound, wanting the inheritance? The final confrontation with the hound and his death?

10.The resolving of the mystery? Holmes and the shooting, his disguise, the explanation? Miss Stapleton helping him? Watson and his amazement, resentment? Sir Henry and his gratitude?

11.The popularity of this kind of murder mystery, the popularity of Sherlock Holmes – and this film’s contribution?