The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.

Director:

Terence Fisher

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (based on the novel by) (as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), Peter Bryan (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Cushing, André Morell, Christopher Lee

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Peter Cushing	...	Sherlock Holmes
André Morell	...	Doctor Watson (as Andre Morell)
Christopher Lee	...	Sir Henry
Marla Landi	...	Cecile
David Oxley	...	Sir Hugo
Francis De Wolff	...	Doctor Mortimer
Miles Malleson	...	Bishop
Ewen Solon	...	Stapleton
John Le Mesurier	...	Barrymore
Helen Goss	...	Mrs. Barrymore
Sam Kydd	...	Perkins
Michael Hawkins	...	Lord Caphill
Judi Moyens	...	Servant Girl
Michael Mulcaster	...	Convict
David Birks	...	Servant

Storyline

Returning to his family's manor house on the lonely moors after his father dies under mysterious circumstances, Sir Henry Baskerville is confronted with the mystery of the supernatural hound that supposedly takes revenge upon the Baskerville family. The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are brought in to investigate.

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Plot Keywords:

killed by a dog | tricycle | cycle | horse | carriage | 

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Taglines:

Sherlock Holmes' Most Terrifying Adventure! [UK]

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

3 July 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Baskervilles hund

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min 64 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor) (uncredited)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Animation techniques were first considered for introducing the hound, but cost factors prevented it so the production crew was forced to use a real dog.

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Goofs

In their discussion regarding the source of the tarantula used to attack Sir Henry, Watson asks Holmes how he knew the spider had not secreted itself with Sir Henry's luggage from South Africa and instead came from the collection of a local and eminent entomologist, Bishop Frankland. In classic form, Holmes says, "Elementary, my dear Watson, tarantulas are not from South Africa." He is wrong, as tarantulas, such as the baboon spider, are native to South Africa. A bit earlier in the film, Bishop Frankland asks if the tarantula in question had originated from one of the village. Here the expert was mistaken as tarantulas are not native to the countryside or villages of England. (To be fair, the good clergyman may have been trying to avoid admitting that a tarantula loaned to him by the London Zoo had gone missing.)

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Quotes

Sherlock Holmes: I never relinquish a case!

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Connections

Version of Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville (2012)

User Reviews

Top notch Hammer Holmes

This is one of the best hammer films around and in my opinion the best Sherlock Holmes film ever. Cushing plays a more uptight Holmes than Rathbone, less tolerant of others and his constant movement suits the overall pace of the film. Morell's Watson is portrayed as less bumbling and more intelligent than Bruce's and since the middle part of the film revolves around him he is allowed to really shine. Lee, obviously relishing playing a romantic lead and not a monster, puts his all into the role. The support is good, especially the comedy bishop portrayed by Miles Malleson. Thankfully, the hound is rarely seen, but its howling add greatly to the tension. Typically Hammer change the original story, and anyone familiar with it will be surprised to see Dr Mortimer being portrayed as the prime suspect.

The style and direction of the film is very similar to other Hammer films made at around the same time, the film moves along at such a pace that you don't have time to think about logic and dialog. The start of the film would make a good film on its own. All in all a great film and its a shame there were no other Hammer Holmes films.