Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Hammer treatment
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Well done and worthwhile horror/mystery drama.
Review: Sunday, March 06, 2005 / 4 of 5 / Well done and worthwhile horror/mystery drama.
Excellent Hammer rendition of the Sherlock Holmes story. It was a bit weird seeing Peter Cushing as Holmes after his stint as Van Helsing and Dr. Frankenstein. I still think Basil Rathbone was the definitive, but Cushing held his own. Even odder was the presence of Lee as the `doomed' heir to the Baskerville fortunes. Seeing Lee try to play anything but a heavy, or the Count for that matter was a stretch. Even when attempting a smile, it comes off as a malevolent smirk with the hint of physical violence to follow. At any rate, the colors are vibrant and the moors are given decent treatment as Holmes and Watson must `guard' Lee from succumbing to the old legend that the Baskervilles are cursed for a blood crime of their 17th century predecessor. Worthwhile horror/mystery drama.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping version of this tale.
Review: Tampering with a story isn't always a good idea, but here the new twists are inspired, work well and will probably be refreshing to anyone who has seen umpteen re-makes of what is arguably Doyle's best Holmes tale (I especially liked the anti-foxhunting message at the beginning). Cushing is a first-class Holmes, his subtle shifts in moods giving great depth to the character. The supporting cast are generally strong, the moors are atmospheric and the soundtrack is appropriately creepy. The film does have a few problems - Stapleton's voice is often very badly dubbed, and his daughter Cecile has a very strange-sounding accent for no apparent reason. And there is a moment in which Holmes knocks away a furry thing which looks nothing like the tarantula it's supposed to be. But the film is so well-made and gripping that these minor faults can be overlooked.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Hammer
Review: The first time I saw this film, I was disappointed because it didn't deliver the kind of ghoulish thrills found in the Dracula, Frankenstein and Mummy films -- this was no fault of Hound, it just threw me for a loop. On a second viewing, it turned out to be haunting and exhilirating. This is definitely the most thematically serious film adaptation of Doyle's novel, without sacrificing enjoyability or turning into a stuffy academic enterprise. Let this film stand as a testament to the brilliance of Fisher, Sangster, Lee and Cushing -- who, by the way, gives his very greatest performance as the definitive Sherlock Holmes. This is a masterpiece that ranks in the same league as Horror of Dracula and Revenge of Frankenstein. If it is an all-out horror film you are expecting, give it a chance: you may not take to it right away...
Rating:
Summary: Salivate for Christopher Lee
Review: The Hound of the Baskervilles is a metaphor for something else. A captivating film, it grabs you while it spins its tale round the lives of remarkable folks. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing are out of their "horror" roles, and it is quite a pleasure to see them in a new light. I love to see friends act together. The pleasure is all ours, as you see Mr. Cushing's cunning put to a character who is non-caustic, yet his wit sparkles. And Mr. Lee's gruesome character mask is laid down, as he dons the role of an heir to vast wealth newly realized, and that of spurned suitor. The pleasure is all ours.
Rating:
Summary: Beware the moor while darkness reigns and evil is exalted!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Holmes, Hammer-style...
Review: This film was a bit of a departure for Cushing and Lee, the heroes of Hammer horror. It was also the first Holmes movie filmed in color.The film starts out very strongly with a recounting of the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles. David Oxley is excellent as the menacing and evil Sir Hugo. Cushing is wonderful as Holmes, and Lee is a suitable Henry Baskerville. André Morell is not the world's best Watson, but is quite capable in the role. Unfortunately, I think too many liberties were taken with the original material. The history of the Baskervilles is changed, the origin of the Stapletons, and even the kindly Doctor Mortimer who brings Holmes in on the case has had his personality altered to make him arrogant, pompus, and difficult. The film is also horribly condensed, which may annoy some Holmes followers. Still the film's atmospherics are very well handled, and of course we have Cushing and Lee. The DVD version is in widescreen, and the transfer is tack sharp. Best of all, there is a wonderful interview with Lee, and he recounts his relationship with Cushing, and the making of this film. Also included are audio excerpts of "Hound" read by Lee. Although I personally feel that the Rathbone version is superior and follows the original story better, this version is still worth a look. Oxley's performance as Sir Hugo is memorable, and Cushing is an interesting Holmes. The extras with Lee earn it another star.
Rating:
Summary: The Sherlock Holmes classic from Hammer studios!
Review: This is a fine, fun telling of perhaps the best of the Holmes'adventures. Peter Cushing is excellent (and superbly arrogant) as the world's greatest consulting detective. Andre Morell holds his own as Holmes' partner, Dr. Watson. That is, he is not cast in the role of obsequious buffoon as was often the impression given in the Basil Rathbone classics. Christopher Lee is also excellent as Sir Henry, heir apparent to the Baskerville curse. If your're a Hammer fan you will notice that much of Sir Henry's estate bears a striking resemblance to the vistas used in Horror of Dracula. And of course there are the lush colors and atmospherics...including scoring...that made several Hammer efforts genuine Halloween horror classics. This is an exciting movie; a family thriller for all but the very young, that won't gross you out or make you ashamed you watched it. Elementary? Yes...So what. Most movies are.
Rating:
Summary: the hound of the baskervilles
Review: THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE. PETER CUSHING AND CHRISTOPHER LEE ARE EXCELLENT! THE SOUND AND COLOR CAME OUT VERY GOOD ON DVD AND THE SPECIAL FEATURES ARE WONDERFUL. BELIEVE ME I HAVE SEEN MANY MOVIES AND READ MANY BOOKS WITH SHERLOCK HOLMES!
Rating:
Summary: Not Faithful, but Good
Review: This is a pretty good and well made movie. Peter Cushing and Andre Morell make a good Holmes and Watson. However, the film is not faithful to the book, so if you're looking for a faithful adaptation, then this is not for you. For a version that is more faithful, I would recommend either the Basil Rathbone version or the Jeremy Brett version. The Rathbone version is a better film, but the Brett version is more faithful to the book and you also don't have to deal with Nigel Bruce's Watson. One thing I did like about the Cushing version over the other two though is the way they did chapter 12. I was disappointed with the scenes from that chapter in both the Rathbone film and the version with Jeremy Brett. So the bottom line on this version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is that it is worth watching if you don't mind a film that isn't faithful to the book.
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