Rating: 
Summary: Spledind! And I never even liked Sherlock Holmes stories
Review: Absolutely wonderful movie from Billy Wilder shows us a case of Holmes' that was never revealed by his friend and biographer, Dr. Watson, because of the its personal nature. What makes this film work so well are the relationships. Particularly, the relationship between Holmes and his Belgium client who has come to him seeking her missing husband. Complex story deals with Holmes' obsession with the art of deduction, his misogyny, his drug addiction, and his relationship with Watson without ever forgetting to tell an interesting mystery. This film is both humorous and melancholy, and it is an all around great cinematic experince by one of hollywoods great directors, punctuated with fine performances. It is truly an overlooked classic.
Rating: 
Summary: Feels like there's something missing.
Review: And there is. This film is infamous for having much cut from it by Billy Wilder himself. And while I appreciate his choices I am annoyed with the fact that they are not featured as extras on this DVD. I'm not exactly sure what the deleted scenes (or should that be plots) are but I can't shake the feeling that the first 30 minutes are completely redundant in relation to the rest of the movie and perhaps it might not have been if the movie were longer. Cutting a movie down to size is always a very tough thing to do. The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes suffers, but still manages to be entertaining. Complaints aside, I really do enjoy Wilder's bizarre approach to Sherlock Holmes. Robert Stephens plays him with more a touch more humor and pathos than most other actors and comes across as a mix between Alan Rickman and Rick Mayall. It's definitely the most pleasant I've seen Holmes. The mystery he gets involved in may be huge, though it's not exactly exciting. Wilder seems more interested in having every element of the story fall into place than give us something with a sense of urgency. And for a film over 2 hours long (it was meant to be 3) it's not cool to have every scene presented at its own pace. There has to be some compromise. The photography is excellent. The 2.35:1 widescreen frame is used expertly and one can only imagine the horrors of this film being presented in pan and scan. The anamorphic picture looks fine for a 33 year old film and the Mono sound is completely adeqequate. Extras consist of a trailer, an interview with the editor, deleted sequences (not the all of them) and a photo gallery.
Rating:
Summary: please can it be restored on dvd
Review: As all fans of this movie know Wilders original film was 3 and half hours long as opposed to the 2 hour version released. A 12 minute sequence was restored on laserdisc, but rumour has it that the rest of the discarded footage still exists. I pray that Warner Brothers consider releasing a fully restored version on dvd (or at least as complete as possible). As for the film itself, it's unusual for a Wilder film in that it generates real emotional warmth. like all his best films though it offers a multitude of pleasures, Miklos Rosza's score, Christopher Challis's photography, and the perfomances of Stephens, Christopher Lee, Clive Revill and Colin Blakely. the film consists of two stories, one in the usual Wilder style the other a holmes story in which only the details of the case are absurd. Both are equally entertaining. Highly recommended
Rating:
Summary: The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Review: As long ago as 1972, I saw this movie in its truncated 125 minute form at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. So it was cut very early into its release. Billy Wilder claimed he had final cut and did the editing himself, so it is curious that he did not keep an uncut copy of the movie or negative. That said, the 125 minute VHS version--even better letterboxed on Turner Classics--has a seamless continuity, wonderful Miklos Rozsa music, terrific actors, and a great story--using the pursuit of the Loch Ness monster in Scotland as an excuse to explore a melancholy romantic relationship between Holmes and a mystery woman. It's another neglected Billy Wilder masterpiece, more light and romantic than his 1940's work and with a haunting sad ending. Highly recommended even cut while we hopefully wait for the 200 minute version. I'd almost settle for a 125 minute print with restored color and letterboxing. And stereo for the unforgettable score. Steve Wood
South San Francisco, CA
Rating:
Summary: A very pleasant aspect of Sherlock Holmes
Review: Being a Sherlock Holmes fan (I'd rather say expert!), I really enjoyed this movie, although I did not appreciate the character of Watson, presented as funny and not intelligent, which is not true (remember, he is the one who narrated the Sherlock Holmes stories). The main idea of the movie is interesting: was Holmes a homosexual? why was he that much doubtful about women? was he ever in love? The plot is also very attractive: for the first time in his career, Holmes would fail to fully use his computer-brain, because, and for the first time in his career, his feelings will be guiding him, although the mystery seems easy to resolve for a mind like his, and this is proved by the intervention of his brother, Mycroft. Robert Stephens perfectly incarnates the role of Sherlock Holmes, much better than Basil Rathbone (but still very far from the excellent Jeremy Brett). Melancholy, romance, mystery and suspense: a very nice combination. See this movie even if you know nothing about Sherlock Holmes. You will just love it.
Rating:
Summary: Longing for the DVD
Review: Billy Wilder's "Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" may be the most charming of the Holmes films. And it's been one of my favorites since I first saw it as a kid on the Big Screen in 1971. Yes, it's "revisionist," but Wilder obviously loved the characters, and it shows. Unfortunately, this movie is now unavailable on DVD, and that's a crime. A few years ago (1993?), it was released lovingly on laser disc in all its glory (widescreen), including many wonderful extras (lost scenes, lost audio, behind-the-scenes photos, etc.). I only hope that that version or one very much like it comes to DVD very soon.
Rating:
Summary: A VERY HUMAN HOLMES
Review: Billy Wilder's 1970 THE PRIVATE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES was originally as a 200 minute roadshow with intermisssion. But the studio asked that it be cut and Wilder agreed. When he saw the final results, he said he wept. However, what remains is very fine indeed. Conceived to reveal why Holmes was a misogynist and dope addict, is still an entertaining, lavishly produced film that peeks at the man behind the famous brain. Robert Stephens and Colin Blakely are Holmes and Watson. Christopher Lee is Holmes smarter brother Mycroft. See midgets, Trappist monks, German spies, a Belgian beauty, the Loch Ness monster and more in this bittersweet tale of a poignant and flawed Sherlock Holmes. Extras include bits and pieces of the missing footage and a recent conversation with Christopher Lee. Highly recommended. Arthur Conan Doyle, MD, had a lot of spare time on his hands between patients. To fill the empty hours, he created Sherlock Holmes. He based Holmes on medical professor Dr. Joseph Bell, known for his awesome powers of deductive reasoning. Sherlock Holmes is the most famous of all Victorian literary creations. Mail still arrives 221B Baker Street seeking his help. Billy Wilder does justice to Doyle's detective.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining film
Review: Boasting an excellent cast (including Christopher Lee of former Dracula and current Lord of the Rings fame), this 1970 film directed by none other than Billy Wilder engages the redoubtable Sherlock Holmes (well played by Robert Stephens) in a complex tale involving midgets, canaries, Trappist monks, the Loch Ness monster, a beautiful widow, a top secret government project, and a very stuffy Queen Victoria--among other items. Also included are a haughty Russian ballerina, a Stradivarius violin, Sherlock's supercilious but wickedly intelligent brother Mycroft, hints of sexual deviance, and a drunken Dr. Watson. Oh yes, and let's not forget a woman in a wheelchair, a signalling parasol, and a Scottish castle under construction. Put these all together and you get a devilishly entertaining film shot through with Holmes' mordant wit (for which Watson is the perfect foil), and, as well, with his keen intelligence. The only (minor) flaw I found was how it was that Holmes was not able to decipher the real identity of a critical personage in the tale; that person's real identity was supplied by someone other than Sherlock, which was very surprising. Nevertheless, this is a great film that never bores. Laughter, thrills, and puzzles abound. Colin Blakely is Dr. Watson--to a T. The remaining supporting cast is equally fine. A shame this is not yet on DVD. Perhaps someday.... Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Slightly less than perfect, but perfectly enjoyable.
Review: Farce must be played straight. If you think that you'er being funny, you aren't. Too bad in this case because "The Private Life of Shirlock Holmes" could have been one of the best. But it is far from a disaster, particularly if your are a Shirlock Holmes fan. It is odd to see Billy Wilder loose controle of his actors in this fassion. Robert Stephens is one of a number of exelent British actors overlooked in the praise department becaust they would rather play the ensamble roles. He is well equal to the task here. Unfortunately the supporting charactors aren't. It is almost as if Wilder couldn't quite get get himself to believe in this project, and he let go of his legendary grip on the acting. Still in all, I watch this movie occasionally and enjoy it. It falls into the catagory of the "almost greats" along with "Young Frankenstein" and "The Cheap Detective."
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Own for all Holmes fanatics and Movie-Buffs!!
Review: Finally this classic is available to own on DVD!!
And it's a great package too! Not only do you get a glorious version of the movie, presented in it's correct ratio and anamorphically enhanced, but an excellent bundle of extras. Firstly there's a short featurette entitled "Christopher Lee: Mr Holmes, Mr Wilder" in which the actor recounts some behind-the-scenes tales from the making of the movie along with a broad overview of the Holmes legend. A small portion of this material was first seen on last years' "The Hound of the Baskervilles" disc but it's still a very interesting and enjoyable extra. Next up is an extended interview with film editor Ernest Walker who gives his own account of the making of the film along with some good information on the many scenes which did not make the final cut.
After that we have the Deleted Scenes section which, while mostly text based, is probably the best extra on the disc. What we are treated to here is a partial reconstruction (using actual footage, stills and script excerpts) of four deleted scenes - "Original Prologue" (including an appearance by 'Dr Watson' circa 1970), "The Curious Case of the Upside Down Room", "The Adventure of the Dumbfounded Detective/Holmes Recounts an Affair of the Past" and finally "The Dreadful Business of the Naked Honeymooners". Rounding out the extras list we have a Photo Gallery set to the excellent score music and the Original Theatrical Trailer which , like the main feature, is presented in an anamorphically enhanced format.
Everything about this movie is wonderful from the witty and intelligent script to the brilliant acting performances and an excellent and haunting score from Miklos Rozsa (itself long overdue for an official release on CD).
This DVD is a must-own for Holmes-fans and Movie-buffs alike!!
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