Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
by Roy William Neill
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Arthur Margetson, Basil Rathbone, Dennis Hoey, Hillary Brooke, Nigel BruceDirector: Roy William Neill
Brand: MPI
Cinematographer: Charles Van Enger
Producer: Roy William Neill
Editor: Fred R. Feitshans Jr.
Writer: Arthur Conan Doyle
Writer: Bertram Millhauser
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 68 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-28
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Mpi Home Video
Product features:
- The master detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his faithful cohort are back, preserved and digitally restored in 35mm to original condition by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This newly restored version of theic film includes the period war bond tag, studio logo and credits from its original theatrical release. Filled with ominous shadows and interesting camera angles, the visual
Movie Reviews of Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
Movie Review: "These Egomaniacs Are Always So Much More Chatty When They Feel They Have The Upper Hand" -- S. Holmes
Summary: 5 Stars
The ever-appealing acting pair of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce teamed up once again for "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death", which premiered on U.S. theater screens on September 17th, 1943.
"Faces Death" marked the sixth Holmes entry in the Rathbone/Bruce series of fourteen black-and-white films featuring the famed fictional detective from London's 221B Baker Street (and this was the third Sherlock pic they made together in what was a busy calendar year of 1943, following their earlier '43 efforts, "The Secret Weapon" and "Sherlock Holmes In Washington").
"Faces Death" is one of my overall favorites amongst the 14 Basil Rathbone-as-Holmes movies, and it's a nice rebound effort for Universal right after a bit of a misfire with the "In Washington" Holmes entry.
Holmes and Dr. Watson (Bruce) investigate a series of bizarre goings-on (including murder) in "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death". These strange occurrences take place at the old and creepy "Musgrave Manor", which is a large, foreboding mansion that comes complete with secret passages and a checkered floor which comes in handy when playing a game of chess (utilizing human beings as chess "pieces").
The puzzling "Musgrave Ritual" is another of the things that makes this movie a lot of fun. But, luckily, it's not enough of a puzzler to keep Sherlock H. from figuring out its cryptic meaning. .....
"Who came then to slay him?
The bloodthirsty bishop.
Where shall he go?
Deep down below.
Away from the thunder.
Let him dig under."
Dennis Hoey shows up in this Holmes installment, too (as the always-inept "Inspector Lestrade"). Other co-stars include Hillary Brooke, Milburn Stone, Gerald Hamer, Frederick Worlock, Halliwell Hobbes, and Vernon Downing.
Downing is my favorite Musgrave Manor "patient" in this film. He plays "Lieutenant Clavering", a very odd-acting fellow who flinches and twitches a lot, enjoys "American cigarettes", and likes to eavesdrop on people by listening to conversations through the Manor's walls with his "sound detector" (which, actually, is a device that aids Mr. Holmes greatly in solving the case near the end of the picture).
Also watch out for a very young (19-year-old) Peter Lawford. He has a small bit part as a sailor at the beginning of the film. And Peter gets in a good thick-accented "Blimey!" too. ~grin~
"Faces Death" and "The House Of Fear" are two Holmes films that are very similar. Which is probably why they are two of my favorite titles in this 14-movie Holmes series. Both of those films feature eerie old houses, dark scenery, stormy nights, various murders, and a host of assorted strange characters (i.e., "suspects") roaming the hallways of these respective mysterious dwellings.
But with Basil and Nigel on the scene, can there be any doubt that the culprit(s) will be brought to justice? Nah. Not a shred of a doubt.
MPI Home Video released "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death" as a stand-alone DVD on October 28, 2003. On that same date, MPI also released a multi-movie "Sherlock Holmes Collection" (Volume 1), which includes "Faces Death" plus three other Sherlock titles.
The individual-disc version of "Faces Death" comes in a Keepcase box with a two-sided, one-sheet insert enclosed. A chapter list occupies one side of the insert (there are 12 total chapter breaks).
The video and audio look and sound pretty darn good for a film from this (1940s) era. Video is in the OAR of 1.33:1 (Full Frame); with a Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono soundtrack.
English Subtitles are available on this disc. The subtitles, though, lag a little behind the spoken words on screen; but it's a minimal delay. However, I have spotted a few blatant errors in the text of the subtitling that's been done for these MPI Sherlock Holmes DVDs (including this disc, plus some of the other DVDs in this Holmes series). On occasion, the printed words don't match the spoken dialogue at all. And sometimes the mis-match is quite (unintentionally) humorous. :)
DVD bonus features -- None.
Here's the DVD "Scene Selection" list for this 68-minute movie:
1.) Opening Titles
2.) Musgrave Manor
3.) Doctor In The House
4.) "A Killer Loose!"
5.) Extraordinary Patients
6.) "That Appalling Man From Scotland Yard"
7.) The Musgrave Ritual
8.) The Rat And The Raven
9.) The Butler Did It?
10.) The Ritual Solved
11.) Checkmate
12.) End Credits
Invite Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce back into your living room for about an hour by way of this DVD, and watch Sherlock Holmes face death in ... um ... "SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH".
And if you ever play a game of 'Human Chess' with Mr. Holmes, just make sure you don't have a secret burial crypt underneath your 'chess board' that you want to keep hidden. Because that Sherlock guy is one smart cookie. :)
Summary of Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATHDigitally Restored in 35mm
The master detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his faithful cohort Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) are back, preserved and digitally restored in 35mm to original condition by the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This newly restored version of the classic film includes the period war bond tag, studio logo and credits from its original theatrical release. Filled with ominous shadows and interesting camera angles, the visual beauty of the film in 35mm is stunning.
SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH (1943) is an intriguing mystery based upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?s "The Musgrave Ritual." Dr. Watson, tending recuperating soldiers housed at centuries-old Musgrave Manor, summons Sherlock Holmes to investigate strange happenings. What follows is a bizarre series of events, including murders, secret passages, a game of chess and a mysterious family ritual.
Even Inspector Lestrade is on hand, as well as lovely Hillary Brooke as Sally Musgrave. But only Sherlock Holmes, in a race against time and a desperate killer, can decipher the ancient riddle and uncover the treasure it hides. Preserved and restored in 35mm by the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
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