When a nobleman (Christopher Lee) is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) is hired to investigate."Baskervilles" may be the most familiar Holmes story, and is almost certainly the one that has seen the most film adaptations. This one, however, from Hammer and starring Cushing and Lee, is often considered the finest. I have not seen all the versions, so I cannot definitively say this is correct... but I find it very hard to believe it has ever been beaten.Cushing is not physically what I expect of Holmes, but he has that deep, calculating look that works so well. He is a threat to anyone with a secret. Lee is, of course, perfectly cast as a nobleman. Even when he did not play such roles, he carried himself in just such a way.Unfortunately, as of 2016 the best way to see (and own) this film is on blu-ray from Twilight Time. They have packed the disc with extras, but because of their license they have only printed 3000 copies and are charging a steep price for them. Surely a wider release would be appropriate for this title?

Master sleuth Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) and his aide Watson (Andre Morell) are engaged to investigate the strange death of Sir Charles Baskerville, the latest in a long line of victims of his family's terrible 'curse'. Watching over the last in the family's line, Sir Henry (Christopher Lee), Holmes ventures onto the forbidding Dartmoor moors to unravel the enigma of the demon hound.The first Holmes adventure in colour, Conan Doyle's most popular story gets the Hammer treatment: blood, boobage and atmosphere. The film very effectively creates a sinister atmosphere of dark mansions, foggy moors and the monstrous howl in the depths of night, while ramping up the violence from the original story (including maulings, burning, attempted rape and a cave in), though never to the point of cheap exploitation and tastelessness, but in fact enhancing the Gothic ambiance Hammer is known for.What classes up the production, first off, is the great cast: Cushing is a near pitch perfect Holmes from the page: mercurial, thorough and a touch arrogant but always aware of the bigger picture and the risks involved. Morrell, the first new screen Watson since Nigel Bruce, ditches the classic bumbling for a stout and reserved military man who, though not as bright as Holmes, is still capable and determined to the case. Lee is in a rare sympathetic role as the last Baskerville, and gives it a fitting aristocratic bearing while making him more down to earth and even a touch bolshy.The second key point is a mostly tight screenplay that effectively condenses Doyle's story without making it a less compelling mystery that straddles the line of the supernatural very well. It does a good job at keeping the Hound as a background menace, building up to it slowly, while taking us through the steps of Holmes' investigation and his methods as we see him piece the affair together. If there are gripes here, is that there are some strands that go really nowhere and are more there just for quick thrills (like an element of human sacrifice, or the dubious portrayal of a key character that is never brought up again), and well, when you finally see the Hound... don't get your hopes up. Even for the time, it's rather a damp squib. Regardless, if you like your Hammer or classic horror in general, and love a suspenseful adventure yarn, this is a good 'un.

Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Peter Cushing as Sherlock and fairly faithful to the source material. Holmes (Peter Cushing )and Watson(Andre Morell) are contracted by Doctor Mortimer (Francis De Wolff) for the investigation of killing Sr. Baskerville who is now inherited by his niece Sir Henry . Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville (Christopher Lee), who has returned to England to take his place at the family seat following the death of his uncle, Sir Charles Baskerville. Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and Dr. Mortimer believes he was frightened to death. There appears to be a curse on the family dating back nearly 200 years to when Sir Hugo Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound. Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest. Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Watson goes to the mansion ,there are the servants(John Le Mesurier) and he meets Stapleton and his daughter (Marla Landi). Meanwhile an inmate has escaped and on the moor sound the barking of a savage beast.This is an excellent and thrilling film with horror elements in Hammer style based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle .It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense and moody intrigue . The film gets mystery, tension, thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be a known story . Magnificent Peter Cushing's interpretation although the best Sherlock is forever Basil Rathbone. Cushing plays as Holmes as an intelligent, obstinate, broody, pipesmoking sleuth , his acting is similar to Jeremy Brett for TV or Nicol Williamson(Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer(Murder by decree). Here Dr. Watson isn't a botcher, bungler or clumsy partner incarnated by Nigel Bruce but a cunning and astute pal well represented by Andre' Morell .The movie has a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on the moor where lives the fearful giant beast ; besides the 223 Baker Street's house is well designed. Spooky and murky cinematography by Jack Asher . Eerie and creepy musical score by James Bernard . This atmospheric motion picture is accurately directed by the ¨Hammer House of Horror¨ master , the great Terence Fisher . Other version about this story are the following : the best version that still can be called a classic filmed in 1939 by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce y Richard Greene ; English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke . directed by Peter Hammond .

Two great things that go great together: Sherlock Holmes and Hammer Films! This is the first Holmes film shot in color, and it has a lot to offer. First of all, Peter Cushing is a remarkably good Holmes and quite faithful to the Conan Doyle conception of the character. He was a huge fan of the original stories and knew them quite well; it certainly translates onto the screen. Equally important, Andre Morrell does a superb turn as Dr. Watson, probably the most faithful and accurate portrayal of the doctor up to this point. The supporting cast is peopled with various Hammer stalwarts, foremost among them none other than Christopher Lee as Sir Henry. There are a few changes made to fit the novel into the Hammer style of horror a bit more closely (Sir Henry is menaced by a tarantula!), but they don't detract from the overall effectiveness. The Hound looks suitably menacing, fitted with a demonic dog mask to increase the spookiness, Cushing has a fun scene flinging a dagger into a table top while interrogating a suspect, and, to their undying credit, the filmmakers mount a ripping re-enactment of the events that began the legend. In most productions of the THOTB, this is omitted entirely or scanted. Not so here, and David Oxley is a most unnerving Sir Hugo. You can see why the neighbors thought he was possessed. Recommended.