The Sign of Four (1983)

Hired by a young lady, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the strange recent deaths of her missing father's friends from the army, as well as the whereabouts of the Great Mogul, the second-largest diamond in the world.

Director:

Desmond Davis

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (novel) (as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), Charles Edward Pogue (screenplay)

Stars:

Ian Richardson, David Healy, Thorley Walters

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ian Richardson	...	Sherlock Holmes
David Healy	...	Dr. John Watson
Thorley Walters	...	Major John Sholto
Cherie Lunghi	...	Mary Morstan
Joe Melia	...	Jonathan Small
Terence Rigby	...	Inspector Layton
Clive Merrison	...	Bartholomew Sholto
Richard Heffer	...	Thaddeus Sholto
John Pedrick	...	Tonga
Michael O'Hagan	...	Mordecai Smith
Robert Russell	...	Williams
John Benfield	...	McMurdo
Moti Makan	...	Lal Rao
Kate Binchy	...	Maid
Gordon Rollings	...	Mr. Sherman

Storyline

Hired by a young lady, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson investigate the strange recent deaths of her missing father's friends from the army, as well as the whereabouts of the Great Mogul, the second-largest diamond in the world.

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Plot Keywords:

stolen treasure | hidden treasure | stolen diamond | diamond | greed | 

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Genres:

Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the novel on which the movie is based, Holmes is indulging in his cocaine habit when Watson shows him the pocket watch. Here, he is conducting an experiment on tobacco smoke.

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Goofs

During and after Tonga's fight with Sherlock at the Sholto home, you can see the wires that aid Tonga's leaping abilities.

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Connections

Follows The Hound of the Baskervilles (1983)

User Reviews

Good adaptation

Although in some parts not too faithful to the original story this is a good Holmes adaptation. Everyone involved is making a good effort and the the finished product is solid enough.

One thing I did definitely not like is the way Tonga was presented. I am aware that he was portrayed as "so deeply marked with all bestiality and cruelty (and that) his small eyes glowed and burned with a sombre light, and his thick lips were writhed back from his teeth, which grinned and chattered at us with half animal fury" (quote from the original story). I'm sure I can't apply 21st century political correctness to a 19th century story but the scenes where Small fed his companion with raw meat in an earth hole were definitely not necessary in a 1983 production.

Still, this being the only thing that bothers me a bit, this is a great movie. Ian Richardson comes close to my idea of Holmes and is second in line for my favourite Holmes, Brett AND Rathbone being in the fist place.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mapleton Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3