Watch The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a 1970 British-American comedy mystery film directed by Billy Wilder and starring Robert Stephens as the master detective, Sherlock Holmes. The movie also features Christopher Lee as Sherlock's brother Mycroft and Colin Blakely as Dr. John Watson, Sherlock's loyal partner. The film takes a unique approach to the Sherlock Holmes mythology by exploring the detective's private life and the events that may have led to his infamous isolation and eccentricity. The story is set in 1887, when England is still mourning the death of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. The film opens with a shot of a dark and gloomy London. Suddenly, the silence is interrupted by the sound of a gunshot.

From here, we are introduced to Holmes and Watson. Holmes is in a rather pessimistic mood and has just returned from a trip to Scotland, where he failed to solve a case involving a stolen document. Watson, on the other hand, is thrilled to see his friend and wants to hear all about his adventures. However, Holmes is not in the mood to recount his failures and avoids the topic altogether.

Soon enough, Holmes is summoned to a meeting with a woman named Gabrielle Valladon, who claims to be a dancer in a ballet company. Gabrielle tells Holmes that a mysterious man has been following her and she fears for her life. Holmes, intrigued by the situation, agrees to investigate the matter further.

As Holmes delves deeper into Gabrielle's case, he is forced to confront his own demons and the tragedies of his past. We learn about his failed engagement to a woman named Irene Adler and his close relationship with his brother Mycroft. We also see him battle his addiction to cocaine, which he uses to escape reality.

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes tackles some heavy themes such as love, loss, betrayal, and addiction, but it does so in a lighthearted and entertaining manner. The movie is full of comedy, witty one-liners, and memorable scenes. Some of the most memorable scenes include the Loch Ness Monster subplot and the appearance of the Russian ballet troupe. The film also features a great score by Miklós Rózsa.

The performances are top-notch, with Robert Stephens delivering a nuanced and complex portrayal of the iconic detective. Christopher Lee is excellent as Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's smarter and more powerful older brother. Colin Blakely is also great as Watson, adding a sense of humor and levity to the film.

Overall, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a must-see for any fan of the detective genre. It offers a fresh and intriguing take on the character of Sherlock Holmes, while remaining faithful to the source material. The film is full of humor, action, and mystery, making it an entertaining and enjoyable experience for audiences of all ages.

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a 1970 mystery with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.