Terror by Night

Rating:
Summary: One of the best Rathbone / Bruce films
Review: Not a whodunit really, because I don't think anyone could actually deduce the culprit from what we see on the film, but other than that, it's a VERY taught, furiously paced movie. It runs just over an hour, but is actioned packed. I don't mean actioned packed as full of fights and shooting, but lots of clever Holmes / Watson interactions, lots of colorful characters interacting wittily, lots of murders and a taut location. Putting the whole thing on this speeding train is great. Almost feels like an Agatha Christie telling of a Sherlock Holmes tail.

I find Inspector Lestrad to be at his most annoying, however. And the quality of the DVD itself is on every version I've seen average at best. Certainly very watchable, but the sound it a bit ragged. That's why this minor gem doesn't rate 5 stars from me.

On the whole, though, one of the best Rathbone as Holmes movies, with an engaging plot, tart dialogue, good location and a nice sense of humor. Is it recommended? Elementary!

Rating:
Summary: A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist
Review: Terror By Night offers a nice change of pace in the old Sherlock Holmes series of films starring Basil Rathbone as the great detective. The action takes place completely outside the confines of London and 221B Baker Street, centering on a train ride from London to Edinburgh. Holmes has been hired to safeguard an ill-fated diamond called the Star of Rhodesia on Lady Margaret Carstairs' trip home, but he's not alone. Good old Inspector Lestrade is also onboard, posing as a fisherman on holiday. Despite the presence of Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade, though, Lady Margaret's son is murdered and the jewel stolen. The jewel must be in one of the compartments onboard the train, and Lestrade quickly takes over the questioning and searching of the passengers. Dr. Watson - God bless him - also attempts his own investigation, which bears only ignominious - and comical - results.

There are a number of real characters onboard the train, each one of them suspicious in some way or other. There's a rather impertinent young lady accompanying her mother's coffin, a most disagreeable professor, an older couple concerned about the police presence around them, Watson's old friend Major Duncan-Bleek, as well as several train employees. The fact that we the viewers are kept unaware of the culprit's identity until the end is a definite plus - as is the fact that the guilty party turns out to be a jewel thief of much renown. There's as much light comedy as there is drama until the endgame is set in motion, and the ending offers a surprise or two that rescues the film from the realm of the merely average. Terror By Night is not the best of the Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films, but it's certainly an entertaining, reasonably compelling entry in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Murder on the Scotland Express
Review: The 11th film in Universal's series of Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone as the Great Detective and Nigel Bruce as his faithful companion, Dr. Watson.

With only one more film to go following this 1946 release, it's not surprising that there's little fresh about this entry, but it hardly matters. The draw is still Rathbone and Bruce, as well as Dennis Hoey's Inspector LeStrade, all of whom deliver typically energetic performances.

The setting is novel, though, with Holmes and Watson aboard a train bound from London to Edinburgh, acting as bodyguards for the "Star of Rhodesia," a precious jewel whose owner is murdered.

Of course, a train is the perfect setting for a mystery, but as "Murder on the Orient Express" would prove twenty-eight years later, the claustrophobic atmosphere severely limits the action. But with a brisk running time of only 60 minutes, "Terror by Night" never threatens to bore.

Brian W. Fairbanks

Rating:
Summary: Not too helpful to the amateur detective
Review: These are the Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with whom I am familiar. They are not quite the same as mentioned in the books, but these actors have come to epitomize their respective characters for most of us.

How are they in this movie? The plot revolves around the Star of Rhodesia, which Holmes has been hired to protect while its owner, Lady Margaret, takes it from London to Edinburgh. In route, the jewel is taken and people are murdered. Sherlock Holmes must solve the crime.

In a good whodunit mystery, after the murderer is discovered, the viewer should be able to reflect on the movie and to understand why that person was the culprit. I didn't find that to be the case here. Lastrad and Watson tended to stammer and bluster quite a bit, although Lastrad will eventually understand what is going on. Even after hearing who was the thief, I still couldn't see how. There was too much of a jump for me to believe.

Still, following Holmes as he goes through the mystery is exciting. To emphasize that he is running out of time, the director will cut to scenes of the train speeding on to its destination.

This is a good movie to pass the time with.

Rating:
Summary: A ticket to mystery
Review: This is not the best of the Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce pairings but nonetheless this is an enjoyable outing.
Terror by Night is one of those I put on late at night to watch curled up on the sofa with a cat by my side. The rhythm of the train and the steadfast bond between Holmes, Watson and Lestrade creates one of the most relaxing murder mysteries ever put on film. The deliberate pace may not please all, but to those with a taste for it this is the mystery equivalent of a good house wine.