The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Movie spotlight

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

1939
Movie
85 min
English

Having once again avoided criminal conviction, Professor Moriarity develops a murderous plan to “finish off” his last major nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, by making him fail to prevent the perfect crime. Does it involve a family curse, the crown jewels of England, or something else…

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Arthur M. ArthurGenres: Mystery, Crime, Drama

Plot Summary

The brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal companion Dr. Watson are drawn into a complex case involving a series of threatening letters and a sinister plot orchestrated by the nefarious Professor Moriarty. Moriarty aims to undermine Holmes by orchestrating seemingly unrelated crimes, all while attempting to steal the Crown Jewels. Holmes must use his unparalleled deductive skills to unravel Moriarty's intricate schemes and prevent disaster.

Critical Reception

The 1939 film 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' was generally well-received by critics and audiences alike, praised for its faithful adaptation of Conan Doyle's characters and its engaging mystery plot. Basil Rathbone's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes became iconic, and the film is considered a classic in the detective genre. Its success cemented the partnership of Rathbone and Bruce as the definitive on-screen Holmes and Watson for many.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for Basil Rathbone's definitive portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

  • Lauded for its suspenseful and intricate mystery plot.

  • Applauded for capturing the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the strong performances, particularly Basil Rathbone's iconic Sherlock Holmes, and the classic detective story elements that make the film a timeless watch.

Fun Fact

This film was the third Sherlock Holmes film starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, and it was the first one produced by 20th Century Fox, moving away from Universal Pictures.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

My personal favourite of these Rathbone/Bruce combinations. This time, the fiendishly clever Professor Moriarty (George Zucco) intends the crime of the century and so has Holmes and Watson distracted by an ominous series of murders whilst h...