Product: Hound of the Baskervilles [VHS] (1983)
Rating: 4.0
"It means murder...cold-blooded, refined, deliberate murder."
(Spoiler Warning!)The title of this review is a line lifted directly from the Doyle novel, and when it is spoken by Ian Richardson in the film, as he stands in his Inverness cape lighting a cigar, you are no longer aware of your surroundings, and you somehow manage to escape into this world of mystery of horror which is exposed quite beautifully in this T.V. adaptation from the early '80s. Being a tremendous fan of Holmes and having enjoyed a number of the other "Hound" adaptations (1939, 1959, 1988 and even the 2002 version), I felt as though I was missing a part of Holmes history by failing to see the two Ian Richardson television movies.For starters, like every "Hound" adaptation, the screenwriter wishes to do something a bit different. The changes from Doyle's novel are many in this adaptation. Perhaps the biggest diversion from the plot is creating the role of Geoffrey Lyons, the artist husband of Laura Lyons who is only mentioned in passing in Doyle's original. Brian Blessed does an admirable job with thew role, and it is his character who when Laura Lyons is murdered, is suspected of the murder. Now, to many Doyle purists this added plot line may be extremely taboo and unwarranted. I am certainly a Holmes purist myself, however unlike the plot diversions in the 2002 film, these didn't seem to bother me. With this new murder, it allows Richardson not only more to do as Holmes, but adds intrigue. By this point in the Doyle novel, we are already privy to the identity of the murderer. Another change to the story, but one which adds a bit of excitement is the murderer's attempt on Sir Henry Baskerville's life in London.As the casting, Ian Richardson shines as Holmes, even through the changes to the plot. Richardson falls in between Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett in terms of his performance, and he resembles the character extremely well. Donald Churchill on the other hand as Watson draws inspiration certainly from Nigel Bruce, mumbling his lines as though he had a mouth full of cotton. He does not fail in the role, but he is not the best Watson ever put on screen. Denholm Elliot and Glynis Barber both do good jobs as Dr. Mortimer and Beryl Stapleton respectfully and Martin Shaw is quite good as Sir Henry Baskerville (even if he does parade around in a cowboy hat while in London). Connie Booth and Ronald Lacey, although relegated to smaller roles are both good as Laura Lyons and Inspector Lestrade."The Hound of the Baskervilles" is an enjoyable way to spend an hour and forty minutes. With an impressive cast headed by one of the best Sherlock Holmes actors, and a driving musical score, the movie is very enjoyable.