This original Sherlock Holmes case (from a story by Anthony Hinds under his John Elder alias) also marks Peter Cushing's last starring role – he had first played the fastidious Baker Street detective in Hammer's 1959 version of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, reprised in two TV series in 1964 and 1968 (during the course of which he eventually relinquished the part to Douglas Wilmer). His inseparable sidekick, Dr. John Watson, was interpreted by the likes of Andre' Morell, Nigel Stock and, here, Sir John Mills. Incidentally, given the actors' age, the film starts off with Holmes (typically and, in spite of Cushing's frail look, he is made to don a couple of disguises throughout) in retirement, his adventures being recounted to reporter Susan Penhaligon – whose appearance is relegated to this brief prologue, never subsequently picked up! Seeing the cast at work, one gets the feeling he is visiting a veterans' retirement home: supporting the leads, among others, are Ray Milland and Anne Baxter (both of whom would be dead within 2 years), Anton Diffring and Gordon Jackson! Anyway, the main narrative – set on the eve of WWI – seems to incorporate two unrelated mysteries (mildly thrilling but not really horrific, as I had been led to believe!) but which, unsurprisingly, are found to be connected: the first involves a number of corpses discovered bearing the titular countenance, the second the alleged kidnapping of the young heir to the German throne. The main setting, then, is Diffring's county manor – where Holmes runs into an old nemesis, Baxter, one of the very few who had ever managed to outwit him! – but the climax takes place in an underground lair, with our heroes incongruously resorting to shooting their way out of trouble! All in all, the film is an adequate (and pleasingly old-fashioned) time-passer, its biggest reward undoubtedly emerging Cushing's always delightful turn as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's master sleuth. Even so, the sheer fact that so many of its participants – Cushing, Diffring, Milland, Penhaligon, Ward Baker and Elder – had previously excelled in the horror genre makes the surprising lack of it here seem doubly disappointing.

'The Masks of Death' was Peter Cushing's swansong as Sherlock Holmes, a character he had played opposite Andre Morell in a Hammer 'Hound of the Baskervilles' and then in a television series for the BBC opposite Nigel Stock.Here his Watson is an elderly John Mills, and the two make a charming pair presenting Holmes in his later life as a beekeeper who is tempted out of retirement to help an old friend, policeman McGregor (Gordon Jackson). It soon becomes apparent that more urgent matters require the intervention of the great detective when the Home Secretary (Ray Milland) comes to call with a foreign dignitary (Anton Diffring). And to complicate things, still further, The Woman has returned to London (Irene Adler of course, played by Anne Baxter).As a plot goes, 'The Masks of Death' is rather pedestrian and not that involving. But with a cast like this, who can complain? Cushing is more crotchety than he had been in his previous outings in the role, but Mills proves a fine foil - his Watson is definitely the army man, a man of action. Baxter is luminous, and even when the solution is staring us in the face there's still enough going on in the interplay between the actors to keep us interested.

All star television presentation brings back the great Peter Cushing returning to the part of Sherlock Holmes as he and Dr. Watson(..played here by John Mills)attempt to solve a baffling mystery concerning three dead bodies with no apparent physical damage that could've caused death. The bodies' faces appear to have a look of fright so Holmes and Watson search the abandoned White Chapel district looking for possible clues, finding a hideous drunken hobo who tells them of demons in the area. Meanwhile, Holmes is visited by England's Home Secretary(Ray Milland)who begs for his assistance in finding a missing German of great importance, a special guest supposedly staying at the rented estate of Graf Udo Von Felseck(Anton Diffring) which could start a war between their two countries(England and Germany)if he isn't found. After uncharacteristic mistakes(..including threats against his life), Holmes uncovers a diabolical plan, which may very well involve Felseck in an attempt to cause the very war the Home Secretary wishes to avoid. Anne Baxter(..in her last film)has a nice role as "the WOMAN", Irene Adler, an American of German descent, who was able to defeat him in the past. She a potential suspect within the curious plot involving Felseck.I must admit that I was hoping for something more substantial when I purchased this, but seeing Cushing in the role of Holmes once again was thrilling enough. It's also fascinating seeing Cushing, as a much older gentleman, as Sherlock Holmes, both men in the twilight of their careers taking on one last case. The most painful thing about this film was that it seemed to end so soon. I was like, "That's it! Oh, no, don't let it end!" That's how much I loved his performance. As Sherlock Holmes in this particular film(..more interesting than perhaps the case itself)was seeing him as imperfect and flawed. Through making certain mistakes he wouldn't have as a younger man, Holmes does succeed in figuring out the case. Cushing gets to don two disuises, both of which lend a great deal of support to his staying alive and escaping others idenitfying him. And, the identifiable traits are added so that we couldn't forget the details of the character, such as his pipe, violen, and suit/hat. I, like a lot of folks who may've watched this, did wonder how one case(..regarding the trio, soon a fourth victim, who were found dead)correlated with the kidnapping plot, but it all has a connection, of course, revolving around the potential horror of a German-British war, which certain sinister figures probably wanted due to a brilliant plan which could've worked had not the Baker Street Sleuth been involved. Mills lends a great deal of support to Holmes as Watson, a man who would follow his partner anywhere, more than happy to lend a helping hand when necessary. I thought the pair(Cushing and Mills)made a wonderful, endearing duo, two older gents who had been a part of many difficult, life-threatening cases, at it one final time.The film has Watson publishing Holmes memoirs to a writer narrating the "Masks of Death" case. Superb cast joining Hammer scribe Anthony Hinds and director Roy Ward Baker. Such a collaborative effort from so many recognizable names provides THE MASKS OF DEATH with an allure. Sadly, for me anyway, Milland is only in one scene, begging for Holmes assistance in solving the mystery behind a kidnapping. Anton Diffring, an actor who just never received the respect he deserved, ably fulfills his role as a suspicious character, equipping Felseck with an air of mystery, yet also providing him a degree of sophistication and manners..a polite, yet dubious fellow who is talented enough to skillfully hide his evil intent. Baxter, still quite lovely as her life was nearing an end, plays off of Cushing especially well..she provides Adler with enough debatable qualities that you're never sure what is up her sleeve, or if there's a scheme at all. Adler, thanks to Baxter, has a charm about her, for sure, but there's an uncertainty that she pulls off that adds to the film. I couldn't help but think back to her performance in ALL ABOUT EVE because the character of Eve had such sneaky qualities as well, a certain ability to project a person who may or may not have ulterior motives to benefit her own well being. I think Baxter proves why her Adler was indeed able to out-best Holmes once before. I wanted more of Adler and Felseck, but THE MASKS OF DEATH had a rather flimsy plot which didn't provide much time for all the characters to evolve. Still, it was such fun to see all these actors together even if for such a short amount of time on screen. Somber experience for me knowing that most of the cast have now left us because such talent was certainly appreciated. I would hate to not mention Gordon Jackson as Inspector Alec MacDonald, of Scotland Yard, who comes to the retired Sherlock Holmes, wondering if he'd help solve the case of the three dead men found around White Chapel. 70 or so minutes is just too short, sigh, but alas..

A now retired Holmes (Peter Cushing) is called on one last time to assist Scotland Yard with a strange case, that they can shed no light on. Three bodies have been found, one in the Thames and two others in Whitechapel, all bearing a hideous look of fear on their faces, but all showing no signs of cause of death. Holmes is intrigued enough to take the case and with Watson (John Mills) in tow he sets out to solve it. However before he can, he is called on by the Home Secretary (Ray Milland) and a stranger who wants to keep his identity to himself, their plea is for assistance in the case of a missing German envoy, his disappearance, they claim could cause the outbreak of War between England and Germany. The stranger is Graf Udo Von Felseck (Anton Diffring) a German diplomat close to the Kaiser, Holmes impresses Von Felseck as he deduces both his name and his political affiliation. Holmes takes the case and soon finds himself mixed up with a plot to kill millions, he also gets involved with "That Woman" again, one Irene Adler.(Anne Baxter) Pretty decent TV movie from Tyburn films, with a good intricate plot and a fantastic cast, Cushing even this late in his career shows he still had the mental and physical agility to take on the role.