Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH
Digitally 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.

Another Success

I'm a fan and have been for many years. The restoration of the film is superb. Highly recommended. June 12, 2008

Second only to the Hound of the Baskerville's

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death is a very close second to the Hound of the Baskerville's in terms of viewing enjoyment. Rathbone is excellent as SH and with all due respect to Jeremy Britt, he does Holmes without the fussiness- something not found in Conan Doyles writing but 'affected' by Britt. March 28, 2008

Classic Sherlock Holmes

Spend the extra money and see black and white in a
crispness that is probably better than the original.
This story is in the same vein as the Hound of the
Baskervilles which if you liked you will certainly
like this one. February 15, 2008

Pure Treasure and the BEST print!

First, I want to advise potential purchasers that THIS is the copy of this title that you want. The DVD listed here is the high-quality UCLA film lab MPI BLACK AND WHITE original version! It's a nice clear print professionally digitized from 35 mm film and all the others are notably inferior in quality.

It's a 1943 film, running 68 minutes total. Unlike many of the other films in this series, it's more in keeping with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original writings, thus, there's no active Nazi-chasing in this one.

As for the STORY, Watson is doctoring at a creepy old Manor House which is doing double-duty as a retired veterans home, attending to the residents who have various ailments and quirks. Holmes has to be called in to investigate ominous events when there is an attempt to murder the Laird of the Manor. Of course, murder DOES occur right away and, despite the bumblings of Scotland Yard's Inspector Lestrade, Holmes hones in on the clues. A drunken old butler seems to hold the key to the secret of "The Musgrave Ritual" (Doyle's original title), which will help to solve the murders -- but he's not talking. The suspense is further heightened when it's suspected that a valuable "treasure" is to be found somewhere inside Musgrave Manor.

This is an outstanding Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce entry -- I really love the segment where Holmes discovers that the main level of Musgrave Manor is actually a giant chessboard and he utilizes the old veterans and the domestic staff as "chessmen" to play a shrewd game, according to the Musgrave Ritual commentary, to ultimately solve the riddle of the prospective hidden treasure. No doubt about it, this is one of the top black and white cozy murder films of all time.

By the way, watch for a skinny, young (age 20) PETER LAWFORD in the pub scene in a very early, albeit brief, career entry for that fine young actor!

A final caution, don't waste money on colorized versions of this film -- the garish pastels detract from this film's original high quality. January 2, 2008

High quality DVD

I am a Sherlock Holmes fan, and am pleased to see his adventures so clearly reproduced on the DVDs I have purchased. His cases are timeless and the quality of the DVD makes them so much more enjoyable to view. November 10, 2006

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