Watch Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles from 1983, starring Ian Richardson, Donald Churchill, and Denholm Elliott, is a classic and gripping adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel of the same name. It follows the famous detective as he investigates the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville in the desolate countryside of Dartmoor.

The film opens with a prologue that tells the legend of the Baskerville family curse, which suggests that a spectral hound haunts and kills the male heirs of the Baskerville family. This sets the stage for the eerie atmosphere that pervades the entire movie. The main plot kicks off with Dr. James Mortimer (played by Denholm Elliott), a friend of the Baskerville family, asking Sherlock Holmes (Ian Richardson) to investigate the death of Sir Charles Baskerville. He believes that Sir Charles died due to the curse, and fears that the same fate will befall the last of the Baskervilles, Sir Henry (Donald Churchill), who has just inherited their estate.

Holmes sends Dr. Watson (David Healy) to accompany Sir Henry to his new home on the moors, while he himself stays behind to investigate the case. As soon as Sir Henry arrives in Dartmoor, he starts experiencing the strange occurrences that foreshadow the impending danger. Footprints that end abruptly, a warning note, and a mysterious howling at night - all these add to the tension of the movie. Meanwhile, the brilliant Holmes pieces together the clues he finds in London, leading him to a web of deceit and betrayal that involves a suspected criminal, a local doctor (played by Martin Shaw), and the most unlikely of suspects.

The actors deliver excellent performances in this movie. Ian Richardson, who played Sherlock Holmes in several movies and TV series, brings his own interpretation of the character, making him more cerebral and deadpan than other adaptations. Donald Churchill does an excellent job portraying Sir Henry, a man who is initially skeptical of the curse, but is soon shaken by the strange happenings around him. Denholm Elliott gives a convincing performance as Dr. Mortimer, who is plagued by guilt over his past decisions. The supporting characters are also well-played and add to the plot's depth.

The film is directed by Douglas Hickox, who does a good job of creating a haunting and suspenseful atmosphere, capturing the beauty and desolation of Dartmoor. The cinematography also deserves a mention, as it adds to the mood of the movie with its dark and foreboding shots.

What distinguishes this adaptation from others is its faithfulness to the novel, which can be seen in the plot, characterization, and dialogue. The screenplay, written by Charles Edward Pogue, is a brilliant adaptation of Conan Doyle's novel, bringing out the themes of superstition, science, and the clash between the old and the new, without compromising on the suspense and intrigue of the story.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles from 1983 is a gripping and authentic adaptation of one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular novels. The movie is a must-watch for fans of the Sherlock Holmes series and lovers of detective stories alike.

Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles is a 1983 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.