Watch Sherlock Holmes: Terror By Night

Sherlock Holmes: Terror By Night is a 1946 mystery film, directed by Roy William Neill and produced by Universal Pictures, and is part of the Sherlock Holmes film series that starred Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The film is based on Arthur Conan Doyle's short story 'The Adventure of the Silver Blaze', which was first published in The Strand in 1892.

The film opens with Holmes and Watson boarding a train for Edinburgh, where they are to escort a priceless diamond named the "Star of Rhodesia" to London. The diamond is to be delivered to Lady Margaret Carstairs, the daughter of the wealthy owner of the gem. As soon as the train departs, the adventure begins. One of the passengers on the train is a notorious criminal named Colonel Sebastian Moran who has recently escaped from jail. Moran intends to steal the diamond, and the game of cat and mouse between Moran and Holmes begins.

Holmes, who is never far from crime, is aware of Col. Moran's presence on board and knows he is not a legitimate passenger. He is convinced that Moran will try to steal the diamond and brings it up to Watson. When the passenger carrying the diamond is found murdered in his sleeping compartment, the game is on. Holmes and Watson immediately begin their investigation, knowing that the thief must still be on board the train. In typical Sherlock Holmes style, he employs his powers of deduction to identify the killer, and the search culminates in a heart-stopping confrontation.

The film's plot is well-constructed and full of surprises, keeping the audience engrossed from beginning to end. The performances of Rathbone and Bruce are exceptional, as always, with Rathbone perfectly capturing Holmes's intelligence, intensity, and tenacity, while Bruce is superbly cast as the bumbling and loyal Dr. Watson.

Apart from Rathbone and Bruce, the rest of the cast is also noteworthy. Alan Mowbray plays Major Duncan-Bleek, a Scotland Yard detective who initially regards Holmes with suspicion but later becomes an ally. Renee Godfrey plays Lady Carstairs, the rightful owner of the diamond, who is traveling on the train with her son Roland. There is also Mary Forbes who plays Mrs. Dabney, Lady Carstairs' maid, who also becomes a key witness.

The film was shot in a slightly claustrophobic and tightly scripted manner, with the majority of the action taking place on the train. Still, that does not detract from the film's suspenseful and engaging plot. The film's direction is crisp, and the sets and costumes are befitting the time and era, taking the audience right into the heart of the action.

As a stand-alone film, Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night may not be as well-known as some of the other adaptations in the series, but it is definitely a hidden gem, especially for fans of the original stories. The film doesn't waste time with unnecessary subplots or an overemphasis on action, which makes it a more faithful portrayal of Conan Doyle's work.

In conclusion, Sherlock Holmes: Terror by Night is an excellent film that combines suspense, mystery, action, and characters that are true to the original stories. It has a unique plot that keeps the audience engaged, fantastic performances from the cast, and superb direction that makes it a delight to watch. Any fan of the Sherlock Holmes series would undoubtedly enjoy this film. It's an excellent addition to the Sherlock Holmes film adaptations and a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of the detective genre.

Sherlock Holmes: Terror By Night is a 1946 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.