THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

UK, 1983, 101 minutes, Colour.
Ian Richardson, Donald Churchill, Denholm Elliott, Glynis Barber, Brian Blessed, Eleanor Bron, Edward Judge, Rhonda Lacey, Martin Shaw, Connie Booth, Nicholas Clay.
Directed by Douglas Hickox.

The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of many versions of the celebrated Arthur Conan Doyle story. Ian Richardson is a very suave and smooth Sherlock Holmes and was to reprise his role the same year in a version of The Sign of Four. Donald Churchill is Doctor Watson.

Prominence is given this time to Doctor Mortimer in the person of Denholm Elliott. Nicholas Clay is the villain Stapleton and Glynis Barber his sister. New characters are introduced, especially Brian Blessed as a would-be artist tenant of the Baskervilles and his wife Connie Booth who was having an affair with Sir Charles. The subplot of the Barrymores and Mrs Barrymore’s brother Selden is included with Eleanor Bron and Edward Judge as the Barrymores. Inspector Lestrade is also there.

Martin Shaw puts on an American accent as Sir Henry Baskerville.

The film is lavishly mounted and filmed in the English countryside. The Ian Richardson Holmes is in the spirit of Basil Rathbone and captures the elements of Conan Doyle’s creation. Watson is bumbling – but also offended by Holmes not confiding in him. The supporting cast is very good bringing life to the familiar story – with a rather large and phosphorescent hound.

1.The popularity of the story? Audience familiarity with the plot? The many versions?

2.The many actors who have portrayed Sherlock Holmes? Ian Richardson’s particular qualities? Appearance, manner, clarity of speaking, ingenuity, disguises? A touch of merriment with superiority?

3.The settings, 19th century London and streets, the moors, the mansions in the English countryside? The quicksand, the dark at night? The gloom? The special effects? The musical score?

4.Sherlock Holmes, Baker Street, his powers of deduction, asking Watson to exercise his? Doctor Mortimer’s cane? Doctor Mortimer’s visit, the explanation of the story? The flashbacks to Sir Hugo and his behaviour, the legend of the hound? The threats on Sir Henry’s life in London, the man with the beard? Sir Henry as genial, deciding to stay? Going down to the house, Holmes allegedly remaining behind.

5.The countryside, the town? The encounter with Lyons and his gruffness? The black beard and his being a suspect? Doctor Mortimer in the country, his friendship with Sir Henry? Sir Henry? and the household, Watson as the guest? The Barrymores and their service? Inspector Lestrade searching for the escaped convict, Selden?

6.Geoffrey Lyons as a suspect, the note with “L.L.”, Laura Lyons and her relationship with Sir Charles, her confessing it to Sherlock Holmes? Geoffrey Lyons’s anger? The murder of Laura? Geoffrey being imprisoned? Holmes examining the beard? His innocence?

7.The hound, the murder of Sir Charles, his rendezvous, his being frightened to death? The sounds of the hound on the moors? Killing Doctor Mortimer’s? dog? Threatening Selden because he was wearing Sir Henry’s clothes? His death? The final confrontation, Holmes and his fight with the hound, Watson shooting it?

8.Sir Henry, his story, his uncles? The inheritance? His meeting with Beryl Stapleton, the attraction, Holmes appearing, posing as the fortune teller? Beryl Stapleton’s disappearance, her being found tied up in the cellar? Her concern about Sir Henry, sending the note to London? Her loyalty to her husband? Her witnessing his death?

9.The Barrymore’s, their characters, the weeping in the night, the signals, Selden, giving Sir Henry’s old clothes? The revelation of the truth?

10.Stapleton, entomology, his manner? People dismissing him? His finding Sir Henry with Beryl, his outburst, the later visit and the apology? The truth about his identity, the hound, his being the go-between with Sir Charles and Laura, his killing Laura, the disguise of the beard? His trying to rival Holmes, giving his name in London to the taxi? The confrontation, his going into the mire, his death in the quicksand?

11.The solution of the case? Sherlock Holmes and his ingenuity? The happy ever after ending? A satisfying version of Conan Doyle?