Hands of a Murderer (TV 1990)

Professor Moriarty is loose in London with spies everywhere, and only Sherlock Holmes can figure out what he's up to and stop it.

Director:

Stuart Orme

Writer:

Charles Edward Pogue

Stars:

Edward Woodward, John Hillerman, Anthony Andrews

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Woodward	...	Sherlock Holmes
John Hillerman	...	Dr. John Watson
Anthony Andrews	...	Prof. James Moriarty
Kim Thomson	...	Sophie DeVere
Peter Jeffrey	...	Mycroft Holmes
Warren Clarke	...	Col. Gould
Terence Lodge	...	Insp. Lestrade
Christopher Fairbank	...	Jeremy Stubb
Harry Audley	...	Richard Farrington
David Sibley	...	Finch
John Tordoff	...	Berton
Michael Tezcan	...	Kasim
Daniel Newman	...	Wiggins
Faith Kent	...	Mrs. Hudson
David Neal	...	Minister

Storyline

When Professor Moriarty escapes the gallows - literally in a puff of smoke - Sherlock Holmes finds himself once again in pursuit of his old nemesis. Soon after the escape, Holmes' brother Mycroft asks him to work at identifying a leak in British Intelligence. Uncharacteristically, he refuses to help until he realizes that Moriarty is behind the missing State secrets. He learns that a very seductive woman, Sophy DeVere, has been hypnotizing one of Mycroft's young assistants to steal the information. When Moriarty is unable to decode the secret message he has stolen, he kidnaps Mycroft in order to get the information.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | hypnotism | indian | snake charmer | remake | 

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Taglines:

Can Sherlock Holmes resist the ultimate challenge?

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Genres:

Mystery | Action | Adventure

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes and the Prince of Crime

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Greeen Pond Productions Inc., Storke Enterprises, William F. Storke & Robert E. Fuisz

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The issue of "The Strand" arrives at Baker Street which contains Watson's account of "The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb", dating the events to March 1892. Holmes' comment that it is "Appropriately accompanied with inaccurate and melodramatic illustrations" is a nice acknowledgement that neither Woodward nor Hillerman reflect the sleuths as depicted in Sidney Paget's artwork accompanying the tale.

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Goofs

This story supposedly takes place in 1900. However, a reference is made to "The Adventure of the Enguineer's Thumb" being published in the Strand Magazine. This story appeared in the March 1892 edition. And if the events of this film were set in 1892, it contradicts Holmesian chronology - at that period in time, Holmes was believed to be dead (he revealed himself as living in 1894, and was believed dead in 1891).

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Connections

Remake of The Woman in Green (1945)

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Soundtracks

"The Lord is My Shepherd"
(uncredited)
(trad.)
During the funeral scene.

User Reviews

Hands of a Murderer

Woodward is a vibrant Sherlock Holmes; Hillerman, a subdued Watson and Andrews, the best part of the picture, is an ominous Moriarty. The story rings familiar from some of Doyle's works and it is given good treatment by the cast.