THIS Hammer film, despite massive wanderings from the original story, just FEELS right. It's spooky. Holmes is eccentric and impatient and perfect. Watson is wonderfully portrayed. The Baker Street rooms are fantastic. And the music--this is the stuff that made me duck my head under the covers when I watched old horror films as a kid.

There are plenty of different versions of "Hound" out there to see. Many have their "moments" of brilliance. But for pure enjoyment, you can do no better than Cushing's version. (I'm still dying to see his 1968 BBC version, almost impossible to get ahold of.) A pleasant, fun, and memorable "Hound of the Baskervilles."

And the few DVD extra features, thanks to Christopher Lee, provide added fun, too.


Beware the moor while darkness reigns and evil is exalted!   April 6, 2000
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

The most famous Sherlock Holmes story is given a fine Hammer Films treatment. Peter Cushing, more famous for his movie roles as Dr. Frankenstein and Van Helsing of Dracula fame, does very well as Sherlock Holmes. Cushing's late-Victorian portrayal is faithful to the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Andre Morell is quietly dignified as Dr. Watson. Christopher Lee is atypically cast as the romantic lead, Sir Henry Baskerville. The screenplay is generally faithful to the original novel, although Conan Doyle purists will notice some differences and even omissions in the story's characters. The lush color photography and the rich, old English decor of the sets enhances the spooky atmosphere. Baskerville Hall reminds the viewer of Castle Dracula transported to a remote area in England. The classic mystery tale with supernatural overtones of the hound of hell that haunts the foggy moors and stalks the Baskerville family remains chilling. Although this film is not really targeted at children, it can be recommended as an ideal introduction to the world of Sherlock Holmes for the next generation coming up. It's also great entertainment for older viewers who may recall seeing this film and other Hammer horrors at the Halloween horror-fests at "a theater near you" back in the '60s. Make a big bowl of popcorn, dim the lights, and enjoy the experience.


Thank You MGM   May 28, 2002
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

At last this wonderful film gets the treatment it deserves. This is the DVD for Hammer fans. Peter Cushing, Andre Morell, Christopher Lee, all three bundled into a creepy Sherlock Holmes mystery. The picture quality of this film is simply beautiful. I don't know what kind of film element they used, but it was perfect. Peter Cushing does a wonderful job as the quirky, energetic detective. Morell is a more than fine actor, who steps into the role of Watson with a superb, gentle manner. Christopher Lee gets a chance to be the romantic lead, and proves he has no problems stepping into those shoes.

This movie was produced and released close to the same time as the ground breaking favorites, The Horror of Dracula, Curse of Frankenstein, and The Mummy. And like the other films has an excellent script and top-notch film stars. This was the beginning of Cushing's and Lee's international stardom, which has ballooned into a huge cult following over the years.

If you've got a DVD player, and are still holding onto your VHS copy, you might consider trading up. It's well worth it.


Wonderful Hammer treatment   December 24, 1999
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Peter Cushing is well cast as the mercurial Holmes. Equally well done is Christopher Lee as Henry Baskerville. It is refreshing to see Lee in an altogether different role as the protagonist...he is charming, sensitive and...tanned! The lush Hammer treatment of gloomy backdrop and creepy musical score (reminiscent of the "Dracula" theme music) adds to the experience. One might bypass this as an old relic, but its a riveting story and great flick. Any fan of Lee, Cushing or Hammer Studios will be pleased.


Excellent Film -Cushing IS Holmes   September 15, 2002
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Anyone who has read the Sherlock Holmes stories has his own personal view of who and what Sherlock is. For me, Peter Cushing is the best and truest interpretation of my view of the character. He outshines J. Brett, Basil Rathbone and all others. The only other actor who comes close is Christopher Plummer in "Murder By Decree" (Holmes meets Jack the Ripper) with James Mason as probably the best Dr. Watson. Cushing was 99% the Holmes I have always pictured.

It is wonderful to see a side of Christopher Lee that is never shown in other films. He proved he can be a fine human character as opposed to the supernatural creatures he is usually associated with.

The only acting choice I have trouble with is the principal female character as played by Marla Landi. She has a heavy accent that is very difficult to understand. For most of her scenes, I had to turn on the subtitles to know what she was saying.

I've never seen a film or TV version completely faithful to the original book, but this version is true to the SPIRIT of the story and is a really engrossing and entertaining film. This should be the true test of the film, does it hold interest, is it well acted and does it entertain. The answers to all of these questions is YES. For anyone wanting an exact reproduction of the original book, it would be better to lock yourself in a quiet room and play the story on the screen of your own imagination. Then you will get the Holmes you dream of and the exact details of the book. For anyone else, this as a fine and satisfying experience.