User reviews

Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Peter Cushing as Sherlock and fairly faithful to the source material. Holmes (Peter Cushing )and Watson(Andre Morell) are contracted by Doctor Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) for the investigation of killing Sr. Baskerville who is now inherited by his niece Sir Henry . Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee), who has returned to England to take his place at the family seat following the death of his uncle, Sir Charles Baskerville. Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and Dr. Mortimer believes he was frightened to death. There appears to be a curse on the family dating back nearly 200 years to when Sir Hugo Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound. Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest. Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Watson goes to the mansion ,there are the servants(John Le Mesurier) and he meets Stapleton and his daughter (Marla Landi). Meanwhile an inmate has escaped and on the moor sound the barking of a savage beast.

This is an excellent and thrilling film with horror elements in Hammer style based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle .It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense and moody intrigue . The film gets mystery, tension, thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be a known story . Magnificent Peter Cushing's interpretation although the best Sherlock is forever Basil Rathbone. Cushing plays as Holmes as an intelligent, obstinate, broody, pipesmoking sleuth , his acting is similar to Jeremy Brett for TV or Nicol Williamson(Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer(Murder by decree). Here Dr. Watson isn't a botcher, bungler or clumsy partner incarnated by Nigel Bruce but a cunning and astute pal well represented by Andre' Morell .The movie has a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on the moor where lives the fearful giant beast ; besides the 223 Baker Street's house is well designed. Spooky and murky cinematography by Jack Asher . Eerie and creepy musical score by James Bernard . This atmospheric motion picture is accurately directed by the ¨Hammer House of Horror¨ master , the great Terence Fisher . Other version about this story are the following : the best version that still can be called a classic filmed in 1939 by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce y Richard Greene ; English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke . directed by Peter Hammond .

Shortly after their brilliant adaptations of the classic tales of Frankenstein and Dracula, the glorious British Hammer Studios decided to have their take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal detective Sherlock Holmes with "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1959). This turned out to be a splendid idea, as the Hammer formula works magnificently with Doyle's work. Hammer once again teams up Horror's greatest duo, Peter Cushing (as Sherlock Holmes) and Christopher Lee (as Sir Henry Baskerville) in what is another one of many memorable collaborations of the two British Horror deities. In addition, the film features André Morell (who would also star in several other Hammer productions including "The Plague of the Zombies" of 1966) as Doctor Watson. Hammer's trademark eerie Gothic atmosphere with foggy grounds, dark forests etc. fits the "Baskervilles" story like a glove. It has been a while since I've last seen the classic adaptations with Basil Rathbone, and I do not wish to discuss which version of this particular tale is 'better', but I can say that this Hammer version is a truly great gem for every admirer of classic Mystery and Gothic cinema.

The film begins truly creepy, with a prologue set in the early 18th century, when Sir Hugo Baskreville, a cruel nobleman who likes to play sadistic games with peasants, gets what he had coming when he makes the encounter of a mysterious beast. From then on, the wild, dog-like creature is known and feared as the 'Hound of The Baskervilles'; according to a curse, this hound is supposed to return and kill any Bakerville who dares to enter the moorlands where Sir Hugo found his end... In the 1880s, the great detective Sherlock Holmes is told about the sudden and mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, a descendant of Sir Hugo. Holmes and Doctor Watson travel to the Baskerville estate, in order to investigate and to meet the new owner, Sir Henry Baskerville, who does not believe in what he considers to be 'old wive's tales'... at first...

The film does change the plot of Doyle's classic novel in some details, mainly by adding Horror elements that underline the Hammer-typical creepiness and Gothic atmosphere. Cushing simply is the perfect choice to play Sherlock Holmes. This brilliant actor was fantastic in any role he played, of course, but that of the most famous detective in fiction is one of those that he is particularly predestined for. André Morell is great as Dr. Watson and Christopher Lee is, as always, magnificent in his role. Cushing and Lee truly were the ultimate duo in Horror cinema, and this is yet another fantastic collaboration of these two great men. It is easy to see why Christopher Lee and the late Peter Cushing were best friends in real-life, when watching their ingenious work in any of the films and they did together. Directed by Hammer's Nr. 1 director, Terence Fisher, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is another great example for Hammer's glorious style of eerie yet beautiful settings, haunting atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling. The settings and photography are wonderful as in most classic Hammer tales, and the entire film is greatly crafted. Many years ago, this was one of the first Hammer films that I saw as a kid, and, after many re-viewings, I still immensely enjoy watching it as an adult. This great little gem only ranks slightly below the brilliant "Dracula" and "Frankenstein" adaptations, and definitely is a must-see for all Hammer fans. Highly recommended!

When the noble Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee) inherits a property near a swamp, his friend Doctor Richard Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) hires Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) and Doctor John H. Watson (André Morell) to investigate the curse that apparently killed all the members of his family.

I have not watched the other versions of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" to make any comparison, but this one produced by Hammer is a very good low budget movie. The cinematography creates a great atmosphere; the lines are very detailed and intelligent; and Peter Cushing, André Morell and Christopher Lee give magnificent and very convincing performances in their roles. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "O Cão dos Baskerville" ("The Hound of the Baskervilles")

Director Terence Fisher, actors Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Andre Morrell, and the Hammer production crew bring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous story of the legendary hound of the Baskervilles into colour for the first time. In point of fact, this is the first Sherlock Holmes story filmed in glorious colour, and it does the story proud with its phospherescent glow on the dog, its swirling mists, and the natural tweed colours of Holmes and Watson. Though some argue that Cushing was miscast as Holmes, I argue most vehemently THAT he is perfectly cast as the great detective. His features cry out Doyle's character, and his obvious inner quest for perfection resonates strongly through the character as well. Cushing lends his class to the role and, in my opinion, gives us a fine Holmes, perhaps one of the screen's best. I always enjoy watching a Cushing performance as he was an actor that loved to play with props, and as Christopher Lee states in his autobiography, a man who could play with the prop and act to perfection, often making it look so very elementary. Watch his Holmes. Very few scenes go by where he isn't playing with something. Lee is good in his role, though the part is rather lacklustre. Andre Morrell is a fine Watson. He does not do the Nigel Bruce buffoon act, but rather he plays a man capable of having graduated from medical school. The rest of the cast is good with Francis DeWolff standing out as a doctor in love with himself and the sound of his voice and the ever affable Miles Malleson adding comic relief as a befuddled bishop. The story stays pretty close to the word according to Doyle. Fisher gives what you would expect: tight direction, lush cinematography, and loads of beautiful shots of the fog-ridden moors. The film has a clever prologue about the curse of the Baskervilles as an introduction, and it is wonderfully executed.

Hammer Studio's greatest stars in top form prove to this day that old-fashioned, relatively cheap yet eerie good films can look and work when quality pros are at work. Conan Doyle did not focus here on detective intrigue, but on a gloomy atmosphere, since the surroundings of the Baskerville estate over which the family curse prevailed favored a Gothic mood. The sequences with the tarantula thrown up on Sir Henry Baskerville (suffering from arachnophobia), Sherlock's visit to an abandoned mine collapsing through the efforts of some undetermined criminal, exemplify the fine pumping up of suspenseful strain. There are also some lightweight scenes - for example, with the participation of a good-natured bishop whose distraction almost costs the young aristocrat his life. Hitchcockian "Hammers", which included the director Terence Fisher, hardly used to claim the laurels of major artists, being more modestly content with the title of artisans. Be that as it may, the studio's default experience with the horror genre in its classical form enriched the Holmesian cult. One can't help comparing it to other (at this point about two and a half dozen!) attempts to adapt the famous story. The 1939 version was quite good by the way.

Ah, you can't go wrong with Hammer. On the back of the DVD, Newsweek proudly proclaims "The Best of the Sherlocks!", and I have to agree. This is the role that Peter Cushing was born to play, it's a shame he didn't play it as often as he did Van Helsing. His mannerisms, his delivery, even his looks, everything about him is perfect Holmes. The rest of the cast are pretty good too, don't get me wrong, but Cushing puts them to shame. Though he is rather ominous in some scenes, it's nice to see Christopher Lee opposite Cushing as a good guy for a change. I really liked the classic plot, full of surprises, great characters, humor and lots of chances for Cushing to shine. The atmosphere is great, foggy and dark like many Hammer films. Perfect for horror. All in all this is a really fun film, though it does have a few pretty cheesy moments. Good film overall though.

7.5/10

Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee took a break from their usual horror cycle at Hammer Films to do the most famous of the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes series, The Hound Of The Baskervilles. It's not as big a leap as one might think because an integral part of the plot has Sherlock Holmes investigating a legendary hound from hell that has cursed the Baskerville family for many generations.

Which brings us to the last of the Baskervilles, a rakish sort of fellow named Henry Baskerville played in the best lord of the manor style by Christopher Lee. He's not the usual Lee like villain, but he is a man to the manor born and conscious of all the privileges attached therein.

Peter Cushing and Andre Morrell play Holmes and Watson who are brought in to the case after some mysterious deaths that show signs of a brutal animal attack. The legend of the Hound Of The Baskervilles would dampen normal investigations, but we're dealing with Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes only deals in facts.

I'm surprised Cushing did not do more Sherlock Holmes films, he fit quite comfortably in the part and Andre Morrell was not reduced to comic relief the way Nigel Bruce was earlier on as Doctor Watson. It took him 25 years, but Cushing did get a second crack at Holmes in a TV film, The Masks of Death, his next to last film.

There's a good performance by Marla Landi as Cecile, the half gypsy woman who gets Christopher Lee's mojo going. She's part of what constitutes the Baskerville Estate and he's exercising his prerogatives with her.

Cushing and Morrell fit in nicely the roles that Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce are so identified with and Lee is far more of what Conan Doyle had in mind than nice guy Richard Greene was in the RAthbone/Bruce version.

That's elementary.

Although this version of the story differs from the original novel, there is much to recommend it for. The film is well paced and atmospheric but it's greatest strength is the excellent cast, particularly the three leads. It's nice to see Christopher Lee playing the romantic role as a change to his usual monsters and Peter Cushing is brilliant as Holmes, his performance being the definitive as he makes the character believable and interesting. This film also features the best ever casting of Dr Watson. Andre Morell moves away from the bumbling fool of other Holmes films and makes Watson intelligent, capable and even dashing. Morell's charismatic performance is all the more welcome as 'Hounds' is the story which puts Watson centre stage for most of the plot. It's a shame he never played the part again as he and Cushing make the perfect Holmes and Watson. If only Hammer had made a series of Holmes films.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are requested to keep an eye on Sir Henry Baskerville, who has inherited an estate out on Dartmoor. With this estate comes danger as his family is known to be threatened by a wild dog that stalks the Moor.

Holmes in colour for the first time as Hammer give it the full blown costume drama pizazz. Great production as Peter Cushing (Holmes), Andre Morell (Watson) and Christopher Lee (Baskerville) act it out with considerable aplomb. Cushing and Morell are particularly effective, Cushing's Holmes is sprightly and never staid, while Morell's Watson is resourceful and a bona fide detective sidekick to the intrepid Holmes. The supporting cast is also filled out with quality British talent, John le Mesurier, Miles Malleson and Francis de Wolfe are involving and integral to the story. Whilst it wouldn't be a Hammer film without the obligatory heaving bosom, which here comes in the form of Marla Landi.

The deviation from the source novel may offend some purists, but it works and is actually a pleasant surprise. Hammer were clearly intent on breathing a new life into Sherlock Holmes, and they did so, thus paving the way for the element of surprise. Still holding up well after all these years this is still an essential viewing in the pantheon of Sherlock Holmes adaptations. 7/10

The initial version of HOUND, released in 1939, was the first to introduce Sir Basil Rathbone as the immortal detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, eventually resulting in the actor being the most identified in the role. Twenty years on, his contemporary, Peter Cushing took a stab at it as well, and the results are equally as gratifying.

It's interesting to note as well that Andre Morell's interpretation of Dr. John Watson, Holmes' steadfast companion and confidante, paints a more capable and robust picture of the cultured sidekick than the cloud of befuddlement that always seemed to surround Nigel Bruce in his performance.

Like Old Faithful, Hammer vet Terence Fisher directs HOUND as more of a stunning crime thriller with horror elements than an out-and-out costume romp, much like the others that the studio became famous (or infamous) for. Allegedly the start of a planned series, the idea was scrapped when Holmes didn't catch on with latter audiences, who were more drawn to Hammer's "Monster" movies with werewolves and vampires.

The best treat of all in this case, though, besides seeing British character vets in action like Morrell, John Le Mesurier (Barrymore, the manservant), Francis De Wolff (Doctor Mortimer) and a hysterical turn by Miles Malleson as Bishop Frankland, (worthy of Barry Fitzgerald), is seeing Cushing and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville sharing scenes together, no matter how briefly, in a non-"Dracula"-inspired context.

If you love old-school mysteries, and Hammer films especially, be sure to add this one to your "Must-Rent" list.

While ANY Sherlock Holmes movie WITHOUT Jeremy Brett can only be second-rate in my opinion (he is the best Holmes by far), this is still worth watching. Is it a perfect recreation of the book--certainly not, but at least it is more like the original than the Basil Rathbone versions (they were entertaining but bore very little semblance to the original stories). Peter Cushing is fine as Holmes, though it would have been nice if he'd done MORE Holmes movies to see how he would have developed the characterization.

For a movie from Hammer Films, the production values are good--special effects and location shooting was very good. I guess my only complaints were too much emphasis on the silly and needless romance between Christopher Lee and the psycho lady. It was way too unbelievable and histrionic and detracted, somewhat, from the story.

The 1939 Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce production may be the definitive version, but Hammer's sole 1959 attempt at Sherlock Holmes remains the most atmospheric colour remake.

Peter Cushing and Andre Morrell make a more than passable Holmes and Watson double-act, and the rest of the cast are just right although Christopher Lee always seemed too stiff as a goodie.

Jack Asher's evocative photography is the real delight. No other version has captured so beautifully the muted greens, browns and golds of Dartmoor in England's myth-laden west country. What a shame that modern film stocks seem to have lost the softer warmth of Fifties Technicolor.

Hammer, as you might expect, played up the horror elements of the 'hound of hell' legend a bit too crudely. But David Oxley, as the Baskerville scion who brings about the curse, deserves his place in Hammer's gallery of depraved aristocrats. Accompanied by a crash of thunder in the prologue, director Terence Fisher captures him in long shot at the top of the stairs, possessed with fury as he tells his drunken fellow revellers that the servant girl they had intended to rape has fled. A hushed reaction shot of the others, before Fisher cuts back to a medium shot of Oxted. `I have her!' His face lights up with demonical inspiration. `We'll set the pack on her.!'

Maybe it does rather fall between two genres, but this hugely enjoyable Hammer yarn has left a footprint in each.

A good cast takes a stab at Sherlock Holmes and, mostly, succeeds. the only thing really bringing this movie down a bit is that it's not put together to be a good mystery, just a good suspense film. Cushing's Holmes is very good; he brings across Holmes' pettiness out of his attention to detail and the shrewdness that helps him catch criminals in the first place also represents a darker (and, certainly, more annoying) side of his own personality. This is similar to the way Cushing had played Van Helsing and Dr. Frankenstein in previous Hammer Films, so it's not surprising they tried it here, but it is a little surprising how well this goes along with the Sherlock Holmes character. Cushing brings enough warmth to the character (effectively through his action with a solid Watson, Morrell) to make an audience still like the old blighter. Good visual look, photography, B. Robinson's sets (recognizable from the later "Curse of the Werewolf") are sufficiently "gothic". Often laughable script.

"The Hound of the Baskerville" is such a great story. Why do the producers of the several remakes of the story mess around with the plot. The Basil Rathbone one has seances and other silliness; even the Jeremy Brett one, which for other episodes remains true to the story plots, messes around with the conclusion. It isn't that this isn't somewhat enjoyable. It's just not "The Hound of the Baskerville." One thing I noted was that the character of Watson is treated with some respect. Nigel Bruce is a ding dong, incapable of writing his own name, let alone performing as a published author. There is good atmosphere and the usual Hammer film panache, so stay with it and enjoy it for what it is.

This is one of the best hammer films around and in my opinion the best Sherlock Holmes film ever. Cushing plays a more uptight Holmes than Rathbone, less tolerant of others and his constant movement suits the overall pace of the film. Morell's Watson is portrayed as less bumbling and more intelligent than Bruce's and since the middle part of the film revolves around him he is allowed to really shine. Lee, obviously relishing playing a romantic lead and not a monster, puts his all into the role. The support is good, especially the comedy bishop portrayed by Miles Malleson. Thankfully, the hound is rarely seen, but its howling add greatly to the tension. Typically Hammer change the original story, and anyone familiar with it will be surprised to see Dr Mortimer being portrayed as the prime suspect.

The style and direction of the film is very similar to other Hammer films made at around the same time, the film moves along at such a pace that you don't have time to think about logic and dialog. The start of the film would make a good film on its own. All in all a great film and its a shame there were no other Hammer Holmes films.

I love Lee and Cushing, and Andre Morell, but this version of the story is somewhat overrated. It almost entirely lacks the creepiness of the Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce version, is marred by abysmal day for night shooting, and seems to recycle music from The Horror of Dracula (aka Dracula). It is entertaining and definitely worth a look for Lee and Cushing fans, and fans of the story, but I found myself disappointed.

This excellent 1959 Hammer picture starring Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Lee as Sir Henry Baskerville was in my opinion one of the best Hammer films they did. I found the film to be very nicely done with a generally spooky setting in the moors. I also found it to keep my attention a lot better than that of other Hammer films such as The Mummy. The acting from Lee and Cushing is of course superb as is the performance of Andre Morell as Dr. Watson. Overall, I would say that this is the best Sherlock Holmes film made to date.

Even though it is a great shame that the Hammer studios did not continue the Sherlock Holmes-series with Peter Cushing in the lead, I can understand why it didn't got picked up by the audience. It's not necessarily due to the lack of monsters and horror but more because this movie is a bit of a lackluster. It just isn't a very exciting movie to watch.

But even so, I still really liked this movie. To me Peter Cushing really is the definitive Sherlock Holmes. I would had loved to see him play the character more often. He did played the character a couple of times again in a BBC produced series and again in 1984, in one of his last movies, "The Masks of Death", directed by former Hammer studios director Roy Ward Baker. But of course all of these productions lack the Hammer touch and feel, that made all those movies so distinctive. It was a real perfect combination, the Sherlock Holmes character and universe, Peter Cushing and the Hammer studios. Whenever I think of Sherlock Holmes, it still is an image of Peter Cushing that pops up into my mind first. He was that perfect for the role.

It's also really true that it's one of Cushing's best acting roles. Seemed he really enjoyed playing the iconic character and got really into his role. Other Hammer icon Christopher Lee is also in the movie and he played a good and enjoyable role in it as well. It was actually one of the first movies Cushing and Lee appeared together in, after the of course more well known 1958 "Dracula" version, with Lee as the count and Cushing as vampire killer Van Helsing.

For this movie the two also teamed up again with director Terence Fisher, who is one of the most recognizable names from the Hammer studios period as a director. He directed a large amount of movies for the British studios and among them are the very best and also best known ones, such as most of the Dracula and Frankenstein movies. Ironicaly he would also direct a later Sherlock Holmes movie, with this time Christopher Lee as the pipe-smoking detective.

The movie its story got based on one of the Arthur Conan Doyle novels. I think that without a doubt the Hound of the Baskervilles is the most filmed Sherlock Holmes novel. I don't really see why really, as it really isn't the most spectacularly mysterious or thrilling tense story. It only has an handful of characters in it, which does not work to well for the mystery and whodunit element of the story. Besides, there isn't always a lot happening in the story. Sherlock Holmes himself is also out of the movie for too long, too often.

The movie has a real Hammer studios look and atmosphere to it. Some exterior shots got obviously shot inside of a studio, with fake looking sets, backdrops and of course an inevitable smoke-machine. To me this is no complaint really. It is what makes the Hammer studios so unique and strangely appealing and charming to watch. I also don't think that the modern Hammer-fan will be disappointed by this movie.

A good movie and it's a real big shame not more of it got made by the Hammer studios, with Peter Cushing in the lead.

7/10

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Around the turn of the century, Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) and Doctor Watson (André Morell) try to protect the heir of the Baskerville estate (Christopher Lee) in southwest England after the former owner was found dead, rumored to be victim of a curse going back to the time of the English Civil War in the mid-1600s.

"The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1959) is Hammer's take on Arthur Conan Doyle's oft-filmed tale. While there are some minor changes to the story, it doesn't "wildly" deviate as some have criticized. It features the lush colors and Victorian ambiance that Hammer is known for, plus you can't go wrong with Cushing and Lee. Meanwhile Marla Landi is sharp & spirited in the feminine department while winsome Judi Moyens is notable in a brief opening role.

If you like Hammer and the principles, it's enjoyable to some degree, but there's good reason it's so obscure in the Hammer canon. It's just not that compelling; the well-done opening is the best part.

The movie runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot at Bray Studios, which is just west of London, and two spots south of there in Surrey: Chobham Common and Frensham Ponds.

GRADE: C.