Product: Seven Per Cent Solution [VHS] (1976)
Rating: 4.0
An elegant and classy entertainment
After indulging in a cocaine binge, Sherlock Holmes (Nicol Williamson) is tricked by his loyal friend Dr. Watson (Robert Duvall, whose English accent is inadequate) into a meeting with the renowned psychiatrist Sigmund Freud (Alan Arkin) in Vienna in the hopes that Holmes can be cured of his addiction. While undergoing the cure, Holmes becomes involved in the kidnapping case of an actress (a red haired Vanessa Redgrave). This clever conceit of Sherlock Holmes meets Freud is an inspired idea. Herbert Ross directs the film version of Nicholas Meyer's (who also did the screenplay) novel with panache and wit ... just. If one could wish it were just a little bit better, what we have is clever enough, a classy and elegant entertainment. Williamson's Holmes is a bit too hyper. There's not much difference between the cocaine addled Holmes and the cured Holmes. Ken Adam's detailed production design is grand as are Alan Barrett's Oscar nominated costumes. The grating score is by John Addison and Stephen Sondheim wrote an original song for the film, I Never Do Anything Twice (The Madame's Song) performed by Regine. With Samantha Eggar, Joel Grey, Georgia Brown, Jeremy Kemp, Anna Quayle, Charles Gray and as Holmes' nemesis Dr. Moriarty, a delightful cameo by Laurence Olivier.The Freemantle Media DVD from Great Britain is a handsome anamorphic wide screen (1.85) transfer.