It makes a certain kind of sense to mash up Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper; the greatest detective vs the greatest unsolved mystery of the same era. 1979’s Murder By Decree did so memorably, but 1965’s A Study in Terror plotted much the same course, minus the various Masonic conspiracies featured in Bob Clark’s far more elaborate film.
Indeed James Hill’s original film for producer Tony Tenser is something of a novelty in that it’s got a very early slasher vibe; we open with the Ripper zeroing in on a hapless woman, and Carry On star Barbara Windsor has a notable bit of comic business before she meets her demise. Two terrific actors, John Neville and Donald Houston make for an unusually serious Holmes and Watson, investigating a familiar series of brutal murders in the Whitechapel area of London.
The mystery is pretty good, and things are kept fresh with a galaxy of suspects including Anthony Quayle as a surgeon with a penchant for helping the homeless via his soup kitchen, and Dame Judi Dench makes an impression as his daughter Sally. Robert Morley makes a bumptious Mycroft Holmes, while Frank Finlay a less-than-buffonish Lestrade. Indeed, this is a rather effective version of Holmes; even his penchant for disguises is rather effective when he pops up to confuse Watson in the guise of….you’ll have to see for yourself.
Uber-pornographer Derek Ford was a co-writer on the script, which makes it all the more surprising that this original story has a strong hint of Conan Doyle, with Holmes making some smart deductions from a set of medical instruments, and a sub-plot about a displaced aristocrat resolved in a satisfying way. While a little staid in places, A Study In Terror doesn’t sell out Holmes for cheap laughs or thrills; for fans of the great detective, it’s a genuine buried treasure.
Hello long time no see, another blogathon invite coming your way… Hammer or Amicus, or both you decide… https://weegiemidget.wordpress.com/2021/08/15/hammer-amicus-blogathon/
Cool, it’ll be a real Sophie’s Choice, but I’ll do my best!
You are allowed 2 reviews so you had do one of each if that helps…
All agreed about the qualities of this film but what about the quality of the review – a definite cut above.
“It makes a certain kind of sense to mash up Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper…”
In what godforsaken world? That makes more sense than a dog with a human face!
I think we can agree on the veracity of your last sentence.
Mm. That was a typo, of course. That makes LESS sense that a dog with a human face. Got it?
I’m afraid I’ll have to take your first answer.
Ridiculous. Shows the old fashioned ways of this blog. Very outdated. 😞
Haha, touch cheddar, Bunty. Shouldn’t you be gawping at the horrors on Alex’s blog?
What’s happening today? A shocking amount of asterisks?
That happens every day. Alex displaying the collection of images that have put him on the fbi’s most wanted list…
Oh, the quiz! Damn. Have you started yet? Wait wait, give me a head start, alright? That’s only fair…
Boycotting it due to unsavory content.
Well, that’s a new low even for you. Just some dead people in a bath. No need to be so picky.
That won’t be how the authorities see it…
The authorities will see what they want to see, chump…
Bookstooge is coming for you, according to his comments yesterday. You’re busted, Bozo!
Actually, we had a nice little chat, and it’s all been settled. He’s going to write a book now. A book demonising… YOU! Hahahahahahaha!
I’ve already been demonised, thanks!
That’s not something to be proud of.
Neither is Alex’s blog.
Who’s proud of Alex’s blog?
Alex. In his circles, taking multiple screenshots of murdered victims in baths is considered to be a big achievement.
Aren’t you in his circles?
I’m bodyswerving to avoid association with his sordid practices.
Too late now, kid. You’ve left enough evidence on his blog to send both of you to the slammer for years on end. It’s where you belong, Nicholson!
You were the one providing written evidence of your enthusiasm for his arcane attitudes!
If I’m going down, you’re coming down with me…
So I gather…
I am always leery of Holmes fan fiction as it seems to off character extremely quickly. The fact that this doesn’t definitely gives it a leg up in the competition.
Talking of Sherlock. You talked about the tv show with Cumberbatch the other day. How did you like it, as a Holmes update?
Actually, you could do a lot worse than this. The BBC Sherlock was a much beloved thing, but was also quite erratic. The best episodes are brilliant, but there’s some right clinkers too.
Did you ever do any reviews?
No, it was a love/hate thing for me. They kept writing themselves into corners. But they certainly swung for the fences…
A vintage movie for Mums then. A nope from me though that’s a great old-timers cast.
Judi Dench still a cutting edge performer in my book….
No doubt about that, even old people can be great!
I’ve recently been reading reviews of new films like Tenet and Promising Young Woman, but filtered through the mind of a 100 year old dowager! Amazing to keep up with cinema at that age!
A dowager is a dignified elderly lady. Like Dame Judi Dench. Are you reading her reviews?
It’s some old codger about that age, they seem to have difficulty with colour or films over two mins long.
Never rally got into Sherlock Holmes but I think my Mum will like this one. Your passion for vintage English gems is commendable.
It’s on YouTube if you have any doubts, but yes, nothing better for our mums than 90 mins of Jack the Ripper!
Haha she does love it