Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Director:

Guy Ritchie

Writers:

Michael Robert Johnson (screenplay), Anthony Peckham (screenplay)

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 29 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law	...	Dr. John Watson
Rachel McAdams	...	Irene Adler
Mark Strong	...	Lord Henry Blackwood
Eddie Marsan	...	Inspector Lestrade
Robert Maillet	...	Dredger
Geraldine James	...	Mrs. Hudson
Kelly Reilly	...	Mary Morstan
William Houston	...	Constable Clark
Hans Matheson	...	Lord Coward
James Fox	...	Sir Thomas Rotheram
William Hope	...	Ambassador Standish
Clive Russell	...	Captain Tanner
Oran Gurel	...	Reordan
David Garrick	...	McMurdo

Storyline

After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler.

---

Plot Keywords:

scotland yard inspector | baker street london | sherlock holmes character | dr john watson character | serial killer | 

---

Taglines:

Dangerously Alluring

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song that plays from 1:03 to the end on the second trailer is a piece called "Unstoppable" by the group E.S. Posthumus (specifically 1:47 to the end on the track).

---

Goofs

Following Holmes' leap from the Houses of Parliament, a statue of Queen Boudicca can be seen at the end of Westminster Bridge. The statue was erected in 1902, 8 years after the opening of Tower Bridge, which is partially built in the film.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Sherlock Holmes: [voice-over] Head cocked to the left, partial deafness in ear: first point of attack. Two: throat; paralyze vocal chords, stop scream. Three: got to be a heavy drinker, floating rib to the liver. Four: finally, drag in left leg, fist to patella. Summary prognosis: unconscious in ninety seconds, martial efficacy quarter of an hour at best. Full faculty recovery: unlikely.

---

Crazy Credits

The credit for costume designer is shown over a frame from the scene in which Holmes is handcuffed to Irene's bed, not wearing any clothes at all.

---

Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Rachel McAdams Performances (2018)

---

Soundtracks

The Rocky Road to Dublin
Written by Ciáran Bourke (as Ciarán Bourke), Ronnie Drew (as Ronald Drew), Luke Kelly and Barney McKenna
Performed by The Dubliners
Courtesy of Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

As the Crow Flies

Greetings again from the darkness. Great literature seldom makes for great cinema. The mediums are vastly different. However great literature, in the right hands, can make for very entertaining cinema. Such is the case with Guy Ritchie's interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's greatest character.

Mr. Ritchie provides us with quite a departure from the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce "Holmes and Watson". Here we get dazzling special effects and near super-human feats and stunts. Another twist is that this Holmes here is no meticulous, fastidious bore in real life. In fact, he lives more like a frat boy or rock star - replete with trashed room and bouts of isolation.

What is not missing is Holmes' world class attention to detail. The story here is multi-layered and actually very interesting, if not a bit high-minded and high-concept. The still-under-construction Tower Bridge plays a role in the film and the bleakness and gray of London is captured perfectly.

Of course, I won't reveal any details of the story other than to say the "good" guys are out to get a real bad guy here ... wonderfully played by the always solid Mark Strong, who may or may not be dead. That always makes for an interesting case! Support from Rachel McAdams and Eddie Marsan are fine, but Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are the real stars as Holmes and Watson. As odd as it seems, they really do have a buddy factor that works well on screen. Downey's physicality has always set him apart from many contemporary actors ... he moves like a dancer and fights like a champion. Jude Law is often too pretty-boy for me, but he really does a nice job of capturing the reluctant sidekick with complimentary skills.

This is a BIG movie! It is made to be a rollicking good time with tons of popcorn munched. Smaller kids will not be able to follow the story, but anyone who has read a Holmes story (and isn't against a little artistic license) should see the film. It is extremely entertaining and fun to watch.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Warner Bros. [Japan]

Country:

USA Germany UK Australia

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 December 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes

Filming Locations:

Chatham Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$62,304,277, 27 December 2009

Gross USA:

$209,028,679

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$524,028,679

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1