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Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of TerrorRating:
Release Date: 28 October, 2003 Retail Price: $19.98 OUR Price: $17.98 You SAVE: $2.00! Cast: Complete Cast (8 total) |
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror Reviews
Sherlock Holmes vs. the Nazis
The story begins with a printed disclaimer explaining why the famous Victorian-era detective is living and working in London of the 1940s. Sherlock Holmes' appeal is timeless, they claim, and he is quite capable of living in the then-present day. They are, of course, correct, although the real reason for updating him was that it allowed the filmmakers to produce a series of propaganda films wherein the greatest British detective of all time goes head to head with German spies and emerges victorious. The format works. I love these films, as far removed as they are from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories.
The beginning film in this Sherlock Holmes series as produced by Universal jumps right into its Sherlock Holmes vs. the Nazis motif. The British government is stumped. At regular intervals, a radio signal is beamed in from Germany. A voice (of terror) gloats about terrible acts of sabotage that occur just as the signal begins. The British Intelligence agency, unable to locate the source of the broadcasts or prevent the acts of terrorism is forced to call for Sherlock Holmes.
Many of the films in this series were less mysteries, and more straightforward thrillers. This is no exception. In fact, this is one of the weaker entries in the series as far as its plot is concerned. The storyline relies a bit too strongly on leaps of logic and sheer coincidences, and the climax is just a bit too silly. If you're looking for a mystery in the style of the original Doyle stories, you'll be disappointed. There's too much that is held away from the audience, meaning that there's not much left for the viewer to figure out before the detective does.
But where this film succeeds is in its style, regardless of its actual substance. A lot of the story takes place in dark rooms, smoky bars and other sinister locales. The direction, lighting and cinematography are great. The scene in the saloon where Holmes (via a widow) turns a den of criminal elements into a force fighting for the Allies is particularly strong. The director plays the visuals for all they're worth; the craggy faces of the outlaws peering out of the dark, raising drinks to their lips, while Sherlock Holmes' sharp features gaze out into the light. It's scenes like this that raise the film above the limitations of its plot.
The acting also serves to this film's advantage. Honestly, I could watch Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce reading the phone book. Yes, I realize that Bruce's interpretation of Dr. Watson is quite at odds with the original (in Doyle's stories, Watson, while not the equal of Holmes, is an intelligent and insightful character, capable of logic and independent thought; on the other hand, one wonders how Nigel Bruce's Watson manages to feed himself every day). But I don't care; I think the two of them are great fun and play off each other well. Henry Daniell makes the first of several appearances in the Sherlock Holmes movies here, playing a member of the intelligence council.
The DVD features are rather light (there aren't any), but the restoration that's been done to the print is astounding. The picture couldn't be any sharper and the sound is very crisp.
As the film reaches its conclusion, the plot holes become harder to ignore. It's a pity because the movie has so much going for it. It is worth watching though, just because it is so successfully stylish. The propaganda elements aren't at all distracting and in fact have become rather endearing as time has passed. This probably isn't the place for a newcomer to the series, as there are better films to choose from. But fans of these Sherlock Holmes films will almost certainly enjoy it as I did.
Soild start to a popular series
This was the first in the 11 film series featuring Basil Rathbone ( excellent ) and Nigel Bruce (irritating ) as the great team of Holmes and Watson respectively .They are called in by the British government ,then conducting the war against Hitler , to unmask a traitor ,the eponymous Voice .He is infiltrating the airwaves broadcasting dire prophecies of defeat to the British nation .His prophecies of impending military disaster come true .In the face of opposition from some Cabinet members Holmes digs into the case uncovewring a traitor from within the Cbinet itself ,eventually unmasking the culprit in a climax in a ruined church
Good performances all round apart from Bruce ,who to be fair was compelled to play the role as bumbling comic relief and not the stalwart comrade that Doyle wrote .Henry Daniell is excellent as a supercillious civil servant who turns out to be on the side of the angels .
Enjoyable B -movie that shows what an accomplished actor Rathbone was -pure class in every role however under-written
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