The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959)

As Good As It Gets

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Cracking, deliciously fun Hammer version of the classic Sherlock Holmes novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The great detective is played by Hammer star Peter Cushing, in a performance of style and wit. Holmes is hired by Mortimer (Francis De Wolff), the doctor for the aristocratic Baskerville family. Sir Charles Baskerville has just died, and Holmes must not only solve the crime, but make sure that Charles' nephew Sir Henry (Sir Christopher Lee) is protected from harm.Hammers' typically meticulous recreation of a long ago time and place helps to set a palpable mood. Director Terence Fisher is in fine form, as he guides this horror - mystery genre mix through its twists and turns. And these are solid and believable twists and turns. For people such as this viewer who aren't familiar with the novel, they'll be kept on their toes and not two steps ahead of the story at every point. We're always engrossed, and invested in the plight of the characters. We also marvel at Holmes' cleverness and deductive ability. There's just the right amount of tension, especially in a scene where a terrified Sir Henry discovers an eight legged surprise on his body. (Helping to sell the moment is the fact that Sir Christopher himself had a fear of spiders.) The atmosphere is incredible, especially in all scenes that take place on the Moors. James Bernard once again crafts a thunderous and eerie score. It's also nice to take in the vivid colour that Hammer introduced to the Gothic horror genre.Cushing and Lee are a dream team, as always. Cushing is a very good Holmes, and Andre Morell matches him as a very personable Dr. Watson. Lee is touching as his character falls in love with local girl Cecile. A marvelous supporting cast, too: Marla Landi, David Oxley, De Wolff, Miles Malleson (delivering delightful comedy relief as a priest who doubles as an insect & arachnid expert), Ewen Solon, John Le Mesurier, Helen Goss, and Sam Kydd.Well paced and diverting for 87 exciting minutes.Eight out of 10.

There have been many adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of The Baskervilles over the years, but this 1959 version from Hammer studios has got to rank as one of the best, largely thanks to the impeccable casting of Peter Cushing, who is on top form as legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, and André Morell, whose Watson is far from the bumbling oaf of the earlier Universal Studios series. It doesn't hurt either to have fellow Hammer stalwart Christopher Lee on standby as Sir Henry Baskerville, and with wonderfully atmospheric direction from Terence Fisher, and sumptuous production design throughout, there is much here to enjoy.Fisher opens his movie with the origin of the Baskerville curse, as told to Holmes and Watson by Doctor Richard Mortimer (Francis De Wolff), who has come to Baker Street for help after his friend, Sir Charles Baskerville, is discovered dead on the moors, apparently the victim of a terrifying beast. Holmes learns how wicked Hugo Baskerville supposedly doomed further generations of his family by hunting down and murdering an innocent young woman, thus invoking a terrible hound from Hell that lurks under the moors.Of course, Holmes knows that there must be a logical answer to the mysterious deaths that have plagued the Baskervilles, and with help from Watson, he eventually discovers the truth, but only after plenty of danger involving a deadly tarantula, the perilous Grimpen mire, a dilapidated tin mine, and the hell hound itself.While the plot does deviate somewhat from Conan Doyle's novel, most notably with the introduction of Spanish babe Cecile (Marla Landi) as love interest for Sir Henry, any liberties taken with the source material do little to spoil what is an extremely entertaining movie.8/10, although Miles Malleson's very amusing turn as dippy entomologist Bishop Frankland almost nudged my rating to a 9.

After successfully re-stimulating cinema audience's thirst for classic horror with re-tellings of the Dracula and Frankenstein legends, Hammer Films turned their attention to another piece of classic British literature, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. It seemed logical to adapt Doyle's arguably most popular story, The Hound of the Baskervilles, a tale translated to the screen countless times before and since 1959. This being Hammer however, the Gothic atmosphere and supernatural elements took centre stage, and with Terence Fisher in the director's chair and Peter Cushing donning the famous deerstalker, this is not only one of the finest Holmes adaptations but one of Hammer's most memorable works.Beginning centuries ago, the sadistic aristocrat Sir Hugo Baskerville (David Oxley) is enjoying a night of debauchery when a female prisoner escape and flees into the surrounding moors. Outraged, he pursues her with his pack of hounds, and eventually captures her and stabs her to death. Shortly after, Hugo is killed by an unseen entity that causes him to die with a look of terror on his face. Hundreds of years later, and Sir Charles Baskerville has been found dead under similar circumstances, leaving his only remaining heir Sir Henry (Christopher Lee) to take over Baskerville Hall. Now fearing that Sir Henry may become the next victim of the Baskerville curse, Dr. Richard Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) employs the talents of Sherlock Holmes and his trusted partner Dr. Watson (Andre Morell) to solve the mystery.The film has its problems, mainly with Holmes going missing for a large chunk of the running time and leaving Dr. Watson in charge of the investigation, but thankfully Morell proves to be suitably refined in the role and capable of carrying the movie for this period. The hound at the final reveal is also anti-climatic and rather silly, although this is understandable given that there are no true supernatural powers at work here. These quibbles are overshadowed by some sumptuous cinematography by Hammer stalwart Jack Asher, whose smoky moors really drum up a genuinely spooky atmosphere at times, especially during the surprisingly violent opening scene and the tense climax. This being Hammer, liberties are taken with the source material, but it's all for the sake of good old-fashioned entertainment. It's a shame Cushing and Hammer wouldn't adapt more Holmes stories than they did.

I read the book a long time ago so I don't particularly remember the details of the story. But I certainly the enjoyed the Hammer version very much. Here unlike other hammer movies, the violence is a little toned down and most of the events are implied rather than explicit. The movie is quite atmospheric and creepy for the most part. I loved the Gothic style and the scenery of the setting very much. And the women of course! Marla Landi is gorgeous as Cecile. Regarding Christopher Lee though - I am not sure he suits perfectly the character. When I saw him, I always thought there was something menacing about him. Maybe it is the Dracula hangover but still. But here he tries his best to appear calm and gentle. Peter cushing is perfect as Sherlock holmes, the wry humor and the quick deductions being the usual trademarks.The ending is pretty good as well, the buildup and the music doing the job. The one thing I can say about Hammer films is that they never try to extend the movie beyond what is necessary and it is always short and to the point. And they don't try to be pretentious either. There are some cheesy elements but for the most part it is an entertaining thriller. 7/10