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The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles

List Price: $14.95
Your Price: $13.46
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Sherlock gets the classic Hammer Horror treatment
Review: A Sherlock Holmes story wasn't a typical subject for Hammer Studios to film. In the 50's, Hammer was better known for their colorful horror films full of blood, sexy women, and the typically solid acting of Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee. Needless to say, this classic story of Holmes' investigation into the curse of a hellhound is given the usual Hammer treatment. Fortunately, this works all to the benefit of this film, which is both fun and exciting to watch. Peter Cushing, despite being a little too short for the role, is excellent as Sherlock Holmes, conveying both the character's energy and eccentricity. Andre Morrel is solid as the faithful Dr. Watson, while avoiding the buffoonish behavior unfortunately associated with the role. Christopher Lee pretty much has to take a back seat as the endangered heir to the Baskerville fortune, but he puts in a typicially good performance. The film is excellently photographed and it really helps set the creepy mood of the story. While the film takes some liberties with the plot, it is probably the most exciting and engrossing version that I've seen to date. I really recommend this film, especially if you enjoy Hammer films or Sherlock Holmes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Divine
Review: Absolutely one of Hammer's best! Cushing and Lee are the dynamic duo in regards to creepy goings on. This is a must have for any fan of the two or Hammer studios!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Needless Tampering with Script Mars Movie
Review: Absurb tampering with a superb tale mars what is one of the best detective novels ever written. Unless you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, you'll want to skip this version. The best version si Basil Rathbone's 1939 version, if you can get over the fact that it's in black and white. Otherwise, Jeremy Brett's version is for you.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: disappointing
Review: After a tremendous prologue this film falls apart. Doyle's classic has been rearranged so much it almost seems like another story. Only the bones of the classic are left.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Film -Cushing IS Holmes
Review: 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. Britt, 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, 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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thank You MGM
Review: 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.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: What a waste of talent!
Review: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing - sounds like a recipe for success!

NOT!

If you are not familiar with the original story, you will have a moderately hard time following along with this version. It seems very choppy at times and the plot is somewhat difficult to follow.

If you are familiar with the original story, you won't like this one, which may as well be a different story altogether!

Peter Cushing is a great actor, but was ill-suited for this script (since the story mostly revolves around Watson and Sir Henry, of course) - he would have been better off playing Watson.

Christopher Lee is a great actor, but seeing him as a "good guy" makes me realise how poorly cast he was into this role. Also his acting appeared wooden, likely due to the poor scripting of Sir Henry's part. (Maybe he was familiar with the original story and was in shock the whole time regarding what was done with the plot...)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Hound Of The Baskervilles
Review: Dr. Richard Mortimers tells Sherlock Homes (Peter Cushing) about the Baskerville curse. After Sir Hugo Baskerville and killed a women in the moors at night a hound from hell came and killed him in mysterious circumstances. Now every Baskerville who has claimed their inheritance has died in the same circumstances. Dr. Mortimers latest concern is that Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee) will die also. So he tells Sherlock Homes to invesigate.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Holmes is Hammer's Best!
Review: Hammer films, in my opinion, has 2 gems that stand out among their bloodcurdling-technocolor jobs.The first is the Revenge of Frankenstein which was superior to its predecessor and then there is there excellent attempt at bringing Sherlock Holmes to the big screen in color. Cushing may be the greatest Holmes ever. I just wonder why Hammer did not try to revive Holmes 2 or 3 other times!This one has atmoshpere(even though by now, fans of Hammer will recognize music, sets used again and again)that is brilliant and terrifying especially when we go out on the moors. Andre Morrell lends his expertise acting to the character of Watson.This was the first "Baskerville" I had seen, and then I went out and looked at the Rathbone "Baskerville", and I must say that this Hammer Technicolor job is far superior!A must see for Hammer and Horror fans alike!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent adaption
Review: Hammer Horror's version of this classic Sherlock Holmes tale is second only to the original classic starring Basil Rathbone in the title role. This features both Hammer stalwarts Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. The murky, supernatural atmosphere of English moors is one of the films highlights (how did they get those colours). However, it is the perfomances of the actors and the closeness to the original novel that ensure this films classic status.


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