The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series) The Moabite Cypher (1973) User Reviews

The Moabite Cypher

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 29 March 2020]

The Moabite Cypher is another studio bound production, this time with some dodgy syrup of figs. It all gives it an air of artificiality.

Yet this is a very Holmes style story. Dr John Thorndyke (Barrie Ingham) has a very high opinion of his abilities. His assistant Dr Jervis (Peter Sallis) is his loyal Dr Watson, always a few steps behind.

A man is injured after being kicked by a police horse who are trying to control a crowd. He was suspected of being an anarchist planning to assassinate a Russian Duke.

A letter that the man had in his possession which is in some ancient language piques Thorndyke's interest. Later another man urgently wants Thorndyke's help. His brother has been poisoned and they need to catch the train to see him.

Thorndyke reckons this is a ruse to get him away from London.

Only Thorndyke can decipher the cleverly constructed cryptic letter.

At times this was a poorly realised production. The grenade scene was laughably bad. The mystery itself was very good. Sallis and Julian Glover were standouts. Ingham did not feel right in the role, maybe another actor could had played him better. He even mentions the word Elementary.

Some of the other actors had to fight their wigs.

Almost elementary.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 9 February 2023]

Doctor John Thorndyke is on hand to assist The Police, with a man who's been kicked by a horse, on his person is a cryptic cypher, could it be linked to the upcoming visit by a Grand Duke?

Overall, I really did enjoy this episode, on paper it's one of the best stories, it's clever, cohesive and not without imagination, there are several points if interest, including the cypher and train station twist.

The realisation is generally pretty good, Barrie Ingham and Peter Sallis are excellent as the two investigating Doctors, very solid performances, Julian Glover may just steal it, what a cracking actor.

There were a few moments that didn't quite work, the hand grenade being one, but nothing on Earth will prepare you for Derek Smith's performance as Professor Popplebaum, it is quite something.

On the whole, it's a fine watch.

7/10.

Lively

[Leofwine_draca · 6/10 · 28 May 2022]

Generally a solid adaptation of a very good story, one of the better in the original anthology. Barrie Ingham is good enough but Peter Sallis and Julian Glover are the ones who really shine in support. There's some horrendous overacting at times, but generally the story is lively and exciting.