Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) User Reviews (65)

First glimpse at a new Holmes...or the resurgence of the old one

[james_oblivion · 6/10 · 21 February 2006]

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death is the first film in the Universal Sherlock Holmes series (1942 -1946) to abandon the idea of Sherlock Holmes as a prototypical 007 spy-hunter, battling Nazi agents and keeping Britain safe from the Axis powers. The bizarre experiment which began, apparently without a shred of irony, with Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror was brutally maimed when Sherlock Holmes in Washington flopped. And so, the direction of the series changed (for the better) with the fourth outing, Sherlock Holmes Faces Death...to the point that it can almost be viewed as the starting point of a completely new Holmes series.

Here, the allusions to WWII are vague, at best. Gone are the overt references to the Nazis and the intrusive patriotic speeches...which merely impeded upon the proceedings in the previous films. Holmes is in his element here, solving a dense mystery by using deductive reasoning. The film is still modern, making use of such devices as automobiles, telephones, and electric lights. But this is all incidental. If we overlook the updating of the surface elements, the story itself is rather timeless. Telephones and automobiles were present in Conan Doyle's later Holmes stories, anyway...and the Gothic tone of this film (and several of those which followed) gives it an almost Victorian or Edwardian feel, despite being obviously set in the mid-20th Century. And most importantly, Holmes is back to the business he should never have abandoned.

Loosely based on The Musgrave Ritual, the film is entertaining and certainly of higher technical quality than its predecessors, despite the fact that the series was forever doomed to the ranks of the low budget B-picture. The camera work is evocative, with fluid motions and intriguing angles...which would become a staple of the Holmes series...and the direction is excellent, with Roy William Neill (who also began his role as Associate Producer with this film) really coming into his own as the driving force behind the franchise. Rathbone's Holmes (whose hair has, thankfully, undergone quite a transformation) is in better form here than in previous entries...detached and focused, he relies on reasoning, rather than chance, in order to solve the mystery that's presented to him. Nigel Bruce, as Watson, turns in his usual bumbling-yet-lovable performance. Dennis Hoey once again manages to out-bumble Watson as Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard...a canonical character who made his first Universal appearance in Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon, and would go on to appear in a total of six of the twelve films.

Overall, not the best film in the series, but a step in the right direction. Once the filmmakers got their proper footing, in regard to the series' new and improved direction, they produced much better work...peaking, many (myself included) would attest, in 1944 with The Scarlet Claw. Other subsequent Holmes titles, such as The Spider Woman and Terror By Night, also outshine, in my estimation, this fourth Universal venture. But this film marked the great change that heralded all the treasures to come...and as such, has amassed much favor among fans and critics alike. And rightly so.

Another excellent adventure for detective literature's greatest duo

[The_Void · 7/10 · 21 November 2005]

Sherlock Holmes films are always better when they have a horror edge to them - The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Scarlet Claw prove this best - and Sherlock Holmes Faces Death makes another nice entry in the list of Holmes films with a horror slant. The story this time round takes place in a foreboding old house where people are turning up dead. Holmes is brought in to investigate, along with his good friend Dr Watson and Scotland Yard's most inept inspector - the hilarious Lestrade - joins in the fun also. The acting from the central three is great, and they offset each other brilliantly. Rathbone gives another great performance as the brilliant detective of the title, while Nigel Bruce provides some of the more inept moments as Dr Watson; and Dennis Hoey always amuses as Inspector Lestrade. The mystery itself is a little messy at times, and can become a little slim on logic at times; but it all comes together at the end. The ending itself is great as usual for Universal's Holmes series, with the title character thwarting the villain with a combination of intelligence and skill. I would much prefer the movie if it cut off before the ending speech, however – even Watson looked like he was about to fall asleep! The title is perhaps a little over-dramatic for what the film is, and the supporting cast can be a little drab at times; and although this isn't one of the absolute best Sherlock Holmes films, it's certainly a very worthy entry in the series and comes with high recommendations.

"We knows what we knows."

[utgard14 · 7/10 · 11 June 2014]

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) investigate murders at Musgrave Manor, an estate being used as a convalescent home for soldiers suffering from combat fatigue during WW2. Fourth in Universal's marvelous Sherlock Holmes series is a highly enjoyable murder mystery within a gloomy old mansion. This one's just loaded with atmosphere. Great wind and lightning effects, nice use of shadows, and some cool sets. Good supporting cast includes lovely Hillary Brooke, Dennis Hoey, Halliwell Hobbes, and Milburn Stone of Gunsmoke fame, who at this point was a contract player at Universal. A very good entry in the series.

Solid, Interesting Mystery

[Snow Leopard · 14 November 2005]

This is one of a good number of solid, interesting mysteries in the series of Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce. This one takes the basic idea from the Doyle story "The Musgrave Ritual", and combines it rather freely with several other plot elements to create an essentially new mystery. Some of the additions are rather imaginative in themselves, and overall the mystery has the kind of intriguingly offbeat tone that fits well with the famous characters.

The setting has Watson staying in the Musgrave house, which is being used as a convalescent home for army officers, when a series of violent crimes breaks out. The mystery that arises combines suspense with an interesting puzzle that must be solved. The villain in many of the movies in the Universal series is known from the beginning, but this is one of the exceptions, allowing the viewer to try to deduce what is happening from the same clues that Holmes has available.

Rathbone and Bruce always work well together, and Dennis Hoey always adds some good moments whenever he appears as Inspectator Lestrade. Some of the secondary characters, especially some of the recovering officers, are also interesting. Although this, like the rest of the Universal Holmes features, is set in the (then) present, the setting in the old mansion gives it an atmosphere more like the earlier era of the Doyle originals. Anyone who enjoys the other features in the series should not be disappointed by this one.

Brunton Certainly Gets the Brunt of Things to Come

[BaronBl00d · 7/10 · 27 December 2009]

The opening world turning and the Universal anthem playing and then the foggy cut to Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce as the great Sherlock Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson staring at us telling us that yet another one of their adventures lies before us always sent shivers of joy down my spine and engendered the greatest anticipation when I was young. These films hold up remarkably well considering,well, everything. The stories are not always the best, the scripts sometimes make too many assumptions about what they feel the audience knows or should know. The acting is very decent but like the script and direction - very formulaic and predictable. But somehow all of it works and we have little screen gems to be viewed again and again. Director Roy William Neill does yet again a fine,workmanlike job in this tale of Dr. Watson working in a convalescent home when murder and the the Musgrave Ritual collide. Though based on the short story by Arthur Conan Doyle, the screenwriter takes several liberties here. Firstly, we are in the present time rather than Victorian England. After the first two films in the Rathbone-Bruce series, Universal(when they took the series over from Twentieth Century Fox) changed the venue for cost reasons. They also had Holmes as a fighter against Nazism and such. This sixth film in the series makes a dramatic departure from that and goes back to the mystery roots delved into in the first two films. Wisely done. The story here concerns a ritual and people dying when the clock chimes thirteen bells. The real heart of these films is the performances of Rathbone and Bruce. they are not great. There is no pathos. No great acting scenes. But each man imbues his character with warmth and solidity that breeds confidence in what they are doing. Rathbone seems so earnest at times yet always has a way with words and a clever phrase. Bruce embodies the almost cartoonish buffoon with a heart of gold and loyal to the core. Character actors of great ability surround them. Dennis Hoey is always fun as Inspector Lestrade and his wit fencing with Watson is great fun. This film also has a gem of a performance by Halliwell Hobbes as Brunton the butler. He is comic perfection in his scenes particularly in his drunken one. Look for Gunsmoke's Milburn Stone(Doc) as Capatain Vickery. Like all the later Holmes pictures by Universal during WWII - look for the heavy-handed(No argument here as it being a necessary one)message delivered between Holmes and Watson. This is good stuff.

"Come along, Watson. We haven't a moment to waste. I only hope we shan't be too late!"

[Terrell-4 · 7/10 · 7 October 2009]

Sherlock Holmes, who was born January 6, 1854, came out of retirement in 1942 at the request of Universal Pictures to pursue WWII arch criminals threatening Britain and frightening aristocratic young women. Now 88, Holmes uses a substance much like Botox, hair dye and a high fiber diet to maintain that familiar appearance so many have commented on, to his intense irritation, as resembling the actor Basil Rathbone. He is, as always, aided by his companion, Dr. John Watson, now 90, and resembling Nigel Bruce, who over the years preferred to inject himself with monkey gland extracts from Switzerland to maintain an active but confused middle age.

In Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, Holmes will confront one of the most dastardly of plots, with murder employed as a careless tool to achieve unspeakably selfish ends. It concerns the Musgrave Manor, a hulking, ancient mansion of hidden passages and dark crypts, where the time is always night and the weather is always howling winds and rain. Now the manor, of course, is used as a convalescent center for shell-shocked British officers. Watson volunteered to supervise their care. "What is this Musgrave Manor? A blinkin' prison?" says a sailor near closing time at The Rat and The Raven Pub. It's 1942 in wartime England. "That ain't the worst it's been called, not that I'm one for speedin' stories, heh, heh, but we knows what we knows," says the publican."Where is this Musgrave Manor?" "Down the road apiece. You'll see it when you pass the old iron gates. Only don't loiter. You won't be welcome, not by the Musgraves. They've been sittin' there, lords of the manor, since time was. If those old walls could speak they'd tell you things that'd raise the hairs on yer head."

And there is The Musgrave Ritual, the recitation of ancient lines that must be spoken by the next heir of the Musgraves. How does it go? "..."Where shall he go? Deep down below. Away from the thunder, let him dig under..." Before long Sally Musgrave is reciting the ritual amidst dark shadows and lightening. Outside, the echoing trees are pulled by a howling wind...a wind that slams open shutters and wreaks havoc amongst the drapes.

Sally Musgrave's elder brother has just been murdered. Her other brother has become head of the Musgraves. And Dr. Watson has called on Holmes to come to the manor and solve what appears to be an unsolvable and deadly mystery. Who is the hand behind it all? One of the twitchy officers? The doctor assisting Watson? The irritable housekeeper? The tipsy butler? We know this is far too complex for Inspector Lestrade. And then Holmes discovers that the ritual disguises a chess game only the bravest would want to play, with death and riches as rewards.

It takes Holmes only 68 minutes in movie time, in this MPI release nicely restored by the UCLA Film and Television Archive, to remind ourselves that nostalgia is everything it is cracked up to be and that Sherlock Holmes, even at 88 but looking good, will always be The Great Detective. And so the ingeniously complex Musgrave Ritual is deciphered, the most ruthless murderer in England is unmasked, and young Sally Musgrave is saved from a terrible fate. "Amazing, Holmes!" says John Watson. "Elementary, my dear Watson," says Sherlock Holmes.

Mrs Hudson doesn't like Holmes riddling her plaster with bullets in this one

[Spondonman · 7/10 · 7 April 2005]

A nice entry in the Rathbone Holmes film series (6/14), but the one I feel most weak in the plot department. Most of the film appears to be padding of one kind or another, and almost every scene could be analysed and shredded by an expert, leaving a 2-reeler. But as I like this I would only want it an hour longer than it is already!

Ignoring the minor non-sequiteurs and non-explicables, the whole chessboard Ritual unravelling sequence was a colossal waste of time - all Holmes had to do was read the message to realise where to go. Think of how excellent his method of finding the message was in the first place Watson!

Some nicely atmospheric photography, beautiful nitrate-based light and shade contrasts also help, along with the 3 well-delineated if almost OTT hospital in-patients providing unstable character support. Listen to Dr Bob's voice - it's like being transported to the cellar scenes in Robert Newton's Obsession! Well worth while watching.

why i like this movie

[davidwayne7865 · 10/10 · 26 December 2006]

always enjoyed the atmosphere of this movie. spooky manor, wind and thunder and lightning. pleasure to watch over and over. its in my top 3 of the whole series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. if any of you enjoy this movie then the other 2 that make up my top 3 would be of interest to you. they are House of Fear and Hound of the Baskervilles. another one that has great atmosphere but doesn't have the stately manor to speak of is the Scarlet Claw. the selections i have mentioned are best viewed at evening with all the lights off. i even go as far as lighting candles to give my own surroundings similar atmosphere.

David

"Ghosts don't stab people in the neck, do they?"

[ackstasis · 7/10 · 8 July 2008]

Considering Universal Studios churned out no less than three Sherlock Holmes pictures in 1943, after resurrecting the series with 'Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942),' it's often easy to underestimate the creative talents behind the camera. Not being particularly in the mood for an overdose of WWII Allied propaganda, I conveniently skipped over 'Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1943)' and 'Sherlock Holmes in Washington (1943)' until a later date, and was delighted to discover that 'Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)' is perhaps, in my limited experience, the finest Holmes adaptation I've seen to date. Technically, the picture is not only competent, but surprisingly proficient, and Charles Van Enger's shadowy cinematography superbly captures the desired mood. In a break from Holmes' all-important war efforts, most of the film takes place in an ancient mansion, now serving as a convalescent home for shell-shocked combat soldiers. The film openly acknowledges its somewhat cliché scenario, that one of the home's trusted residents must be a murderer, and the directness with which the narratives progresses consistently keeps us interested.

'Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)' was adapted, rather loosely, from Arthur Conan Doyle's short story, "The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual," which was first serialised in "The Strand Magazine" in 1893. Still in the midst of the Second World War, Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) has volunteered his services at Musgrave Hall, now a convalescent home, in Northumberland. Detective Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) is first summoned to the old house after Watson's assistant (Arthur Margetson) is unexpectedly attacked by an unknown assailant. By the time the detective arrives, however, the head of the house has been murdered and covered with autumn leaves. The fiancé of the murdered man's innocent sister (Hillary Brooke) is immediately suspected, and a cocky Insp. Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) wastes no time in placing him under arrest, after formulating an unashamedly inadequate solution. Holmes, meanwhile, begins to deduce that this mystery goes back considerably further than anticipated, perhaps stretching back to a centuries-old family ritual, whose meaning has been lost for generations. Can he solve the mystery before it claims its next victim?

Not surprisingly, Rathbone and Bruce are excellent in their signature roles, successfully avoiding the "going through the motions" performances that usually accompany such familiarity with a character. The supporting players are adequate, if not notable, though Dennis Hoey is very enjoyable as the smug and incompetent police detective Lestrade. The story has a few indirect references to combat, but Holmes' talents don't contribute anything to the war-effort; he's much more at home when he's tackling smaller and more cunning foes than the Nazis. Above all else, Van Enger's cinematography is the picture's major star, and, considering that the filmmakers must surely have been working with a restricted budget, the crisp black-and-white photography brilliantly evokes the mood of a considerably more expensive film. Director Roy William Neill delights in subtle storytelling tools that increase the film's creepiness, including the mansion's blustery, leaf-strewn entrance, a uncannily-clever black raven, a clock-tower that occasionally strikes thirteen at midnight, and a supposed dead body that reaches out a clammy hand to ensnare the cold-blooded murderer.

Into The Shadows

[Ron Oliver · 10/10 · 7 November 2004]

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH while stalking an egomaniacal murderer in an ancient English manor house.

Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce return again as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved creations, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. This time they become involved in an Old Dark House murder mystery, investigating crimes at the decrepit stately home-turned-convalescent hospital where Watson is looking after four officer patients. The film is fun, including elements such as a hidden crypt, a bloodthirsty raven and an antique ritual of the beleaguered Musgrave family intertwined with an unusual chess game. There is perhaps a bit too much plot--the old clock tower that strikes 13 is never explained--but this never gets in the way of enjoying the picture.

To say that Rathbone & Bruce remain perfect in their roles is but to state the obvious; by this point in the series the old pros were working together like the gears in an antique clock. They are given fine support by elderly Halliwell Hobbes as the manor's eccentric butler and Minna Phillips in the role of the Musgrave's sinister housekeeper. Dennis Hoey is back as the dogged, but inept, Lestrade of Scotland Yard. Milburn Stone has a minor part as an American captain suspected of being the killer.

Other small roles handled well are essayed by Frederick Worlock, Gavin Muir & Hillary Brooke as the unfortunate Musgraves; Gerald Hamer, Vernon Downing & Olaf Hytten as the invalided officers; and Arthur Margetson as Watson's hospital assistant.

Movie mavens will recognize Norma Varden as the barmaid at The Rat and Raven; seaman Peter Lawford as one of her clientele; and dear Mary Gordon making her brief obligatory appearance as Mrs. Hudson, all uncredited.

Based very loosely on Conan Doyle's short story The Musgrave Ritual, the film follows SHERLOCK HOLMES IN WASHINGTON (1943) and precedes SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SPIDER WOMAN (1944).

Good vehicle for Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce investigating murders at Musgrave Manor

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 20 July 2021]

Fine Sherlock Holmes movie with nice settings , thrills , plot twists , suspense , unanswered mysteries and an outstanding , first-class villain . Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) is staying at Musgrave Manor where lives three brothers : Phillip Musgrave (Gavin Muir) , Geoffrey Musgrave (Frederick Worlock) and Sally Musgrave (Hillary Brooke) . There Watson assists convalescing military officers during World War II who are rooming there . When the owner of the manor Dr. Sexton (Arthur Margetson) is assaulted and injured by an unknown assailant, Watson summons Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) to the mansion to detect who the culprit is , and as soon as they arrive another dead body shows up . As Holmes and Watson uncover more clues Sally Musgrave (Hillary Brooke) is required by family tradition to recite the Musgrave Verse for a ritual performed at a funeral. Later on , there happens other grisly murders . But Holmes suspects these killings have been committed by a sinister mastermind , an ominous murderous who is as cunning as Doctor Moriarty . Holmes helped by his bumbling , dumb colleague Doctor Watson , along with Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) starting investigating the strange events . Believing that the clue to the identity of the murderer is located in the Musgrave Verse , Holmes finds language referring to Chess Game .THEIR NEWEST AND GREATEST ADVENTURE! . As Startling as a Scream in the Night! .To convalescing military officers during World War II. The crime masters at their greatest! New Thrills! Holmes Haunts a House! . Screen's weirdest Terror. His best Mystery of all !. Grim Mystery to hold you breathless!. As the mystery wizards tackle a trackless terror! .

A genuine ripping yarn with much suspense , thrilling events and moody intrigue at a mansion . Interesting and suspenseful entry with Basil Rathbone facing off a strange and terrible murderer at a house where several ex-soldiers suffering from different battle psychoses . The film gets mystery , tension , thrills , detective action , red herrings and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun . Of course , Holmes and Watson solve the bloody mystery at the end .Displaying atmospheric settings , adequate cinematography with plenty of lights and shades, as well as evocative musical score from Hans J. Salter and Frank Skinner .This is a top-drawer and intriguing film with horror elements in Universal style , freely based on the splendid novels by Arthur Conan Doyle . Nice atmosphere similar to classic filmed in 1939 The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce y Richard Greene . Magnificent Basil Rathbone's interpretation , considered to be the best and most authentic Sherlock Holmes . Rathbone plays Holmes as an intelligent , obstinate , broody, pipesmoking sleuth , his acting is similar to subsequent actors as Peter Cushing and Jeremy Brett for TV or Nicol Williamson (Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer (Murder by decree) . As usual , Dr. Watson plays his botcher, bungler or clumsy partner , masterfully incarnated by Nigel Bruce . They are well accompanied by notorious secondaries as Milburn Stone ,Arthur Margetson and Hillary Brooke . In addition , usual secondaries as Inspector Lestrade : Dennis Hoey , and Mrs Hudson : Mary Gordon

It contains adequate and brilliant cinematography by cameraman Charles Van Enger. This atmospheric motion picture was compellingly directed by Roy William Neill who shot efficiently various episodes of the attractive series . Neill directed in his ordinary style , in fact he was regular filmmaker -along with John Rawlins- of the stunning series , such as : Dressed to Kill, Terror by Night , Pursuit to Algiers , The Woman in Green, The House of fear , Sherlock Holmes in Washington , Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon , Scarlet Claw , among others . Rating : Better than average. 7/10. The picture will appeal to fans of the excellent series starred by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, resulting to be one of the best episodes.

Murky Murders at Musgrave Manor.

[hitchcockthelegend · 9/10 · 4 March 2008]

Oh I do like this one, this is what I want from my Sherlock Holmes, a sneaky little murder mystery to be solved all set inside a rickety old manor that oozes foreboding as our protagonists walk up the path. A manor that has secret chambers, creaking floorboards, creaking servants, the mystery basement, and of course the impending glee of knowing Holmes & Watson are thrust into a dastardly murder mystery in this creepy place.

The cast are up to the usual standard we have come to expect in the series, the plot is simply effective with a few delightful sequences thrown in for good measure, and the film's running time is just about perfect.

Love it, now anyone for a game of human chess? 9/10

The Usual faces

[hedgehog-10 · 7/10 · 8 July 1999]

Another in the Rathbone-Holmes series of films. While using the usual casts of actors, who all produce workman-like performances, the film seems to lack the interest of the original Holmes story "The Musgrave Ritual". Reflects the time that it was made by the main lady "Sally Musgrave" marrying an American Airman. The usual wartime speech is excellently delivered by Rathbone at the film's end.

Spooky Haunted House Sherlock Holmes Mystery

[ShootingShark · 5/10 · 21 August 2005]

Watson asks Holmes to help him investigate a series of murders in a spooky old country manor-house in Northumberland, where he is working as a consultant physician for military officers suffering from mental strain.

Another in the enjoyable series of Rathbone-Bruce Sherlock Holmes movies, this one based on Arthur Conan Doyle's story The Musgrave Ritual. Its prime asset is a fantastic haunted house setting, with clocks that strike thirteen, ancient crypts, secret passageways and endless shadowy corners. The clever idea of having the house serving as a sanatorium for those with mental problems instantly makes everyone a potential suspect and allows the cast to imbue their characters with all sorts of amusing quirks. Well written and well-made, a fine mystery.

Weird and wonderful

[lucy-66 · 13 March 2003]

Spoiler alert!!! Starts oddly, with the people we are imagine are going to be the main characters merely sketched in or unseen: two brothers, one prematurely elderly, the other a smoothie, have a younger sister who wants to marry an American airman. Before we get to know the brothers or even meet the airman, weird things start to happen, including murder. The airman is arrested and hence absent for most of the film. The central characters are as usual the wonderful Holmes and Watson.

Weird trappings include a raven that croaks not 'Nevermore' but 'I'm a devil' - a lift from Charles Dickens, who owned and fictionalized such a bird.

The shell-shocked soldiers billeted at Musgrave Manor help in the mystery's solution and are an excellent bunch. Despite nervous stammers, strained smiles and

compulsive knitting, their intelligence is clearly intact. xxxxx

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death... and so does everyone else at Musgrave Manor.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 13 August 2011]

Perpetually battered by violent storms, the impossibly creepy Musgrave Manor is an unlikely place to find a convalescent home for WWII soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress, but it's where we find Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce) doing his bit for the war effort by helping the psychologically scarred recover from their battle fatigue. With the answer to a centuries-old family secret laying hidden in its dusty cellar, a prize worth millions in the wrong hands, the manor is also a prime location for murder, meaning that it isn't long before Watson is joined by his old pal Holmes (Basil Rathbone).

Faces Death isn't one of the strongest of the Rathbone/Bruce Holmes series, lacking a truly challenging mystery for the great detective (the chess-based clues hidden in an ancient family rhyme being far too easy to solve for a brainiac like Holmes). The film also suffers from some irritatingly farcical antics from Scotland Yard's inept Inspector Lestrade and a somewhat out-of-place optimistic rant from Holmes designed to stir patriotism and raise wartime morale, but which these days seems depressingly poignant considering the current sad state of the country (as I type, England is licking its wounds after four days of mindless rioting in its major cities).

Thankfully the film compensates for its sillier moments, less than ingenious plot, and Holmes' misguided positivity about England's future with plenty of atmosphere and lots of overtly Gothic trappings—who doesn't love tried and trusted murder/mystery elements such as a creepy manor replete with secret passageways, a pair of sinister housekeepers, a clock that strikes thirteen, and an assortment of dead bodies popping up all over?

Fourth Modern Day Sherlock Holmes.

[AaronCapenBanner · 6/10 · 18 November 2013]

Roy William Neil directed this entry, loosely based on 'The Musgrave Ritual', and sees Sherlock Holmes(played by Basil Rathbone) & Doctor Watson(played by Nigel Bruce) investigating a convalescent home for soldiers during WWII. It seems someone is trying to find the fabled buried treasure of the Musgrave family located somewhere on the estate, and is not above murder to do it. The culprit is someone among the staff or clients, but who? A return to form in the series, with a nice atmospheric feel and the downplaying of the war itself, making appropriate use of Holmes' deductive ability. Only negatives are a bit of padding and a weak villain, but otherwise a fun installment.

Beautiful to look at, story pretty good.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 21 July 2016]

The Musgrave ritual is one of those stories that in whatever format, be it book or television, that I'm not a great lover of, dare I say I find it a little uninteresting, and while the film is largely based on that text, it manages to be fairly intriguing.

It's a more traditional outing for Holmes, he's very much here in the guise of Detective, not a Spy, he's been called in to solve a mystery, not clear up Nazi spies or such like.

The amendments to the plot are interesting, making it a fairly interesting story-line, I must say that it is beautifully shot, it is so fluid and beautifully made. The production values are incredibly high, you almost wish some of the others in the series had such attention to detail.

Less banter between Lestrade and Watson, this movie took on a more serious tone I guess. It's a little slow in the middle, but the ending is great, boasting some real tension.

All in all it's a very good watch, 7/10

Nice Camera-work In Here

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 1 November 2006]

This is a very entertaining Sherlock Holmes film with some of the best - maybe THE best - camera-work I've seen in the Basil Rathbone-Nigel Bruce series.

The photography was better than the story, which was disappointing only in that it was too easy to spot the killer. Heck, even I found it no problem, so it must have been too easy.

The characters were interesting and all quite different. Some were mental patients who had suffered from World War II. Miburn Stone played the lone American and I didn't recognize the man who went on to play "Doc" in the long- running hit TV series "Gunsmoke." However, his voice sounded familiar.

This is fascinating stuff, my dear Watson!

[Coventry · 7/10 · 21 November 2005]

"S.H. Faces Death" is another splendidly directed adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal writings. Doyle's hero Holmes, for whom even the most complex murder-motives appear to be obvious, this time helps his loyal sidekick Watson when a series of murders terrorizes the convalescent home where he does volunteering work. The culprit clearly selects his victims with specific reasons, as Sherlock's investigation leads toward the family history of the mansion's owners; the Musgraves. Even more compelling than the intelligent script of this film are some ingenious findings that increase the mysteriousness, like the eerie clock that always strikes thirteen times shortly before another murder is committed. Notably also is the terrific old-dark-house setting with its secret corridors, ominous greenhouse and deep dark cellars. Roy William Neill directs his second Sherlock Holmes movie, after the Washington adventure, released earlier that same year. His coordination is surefooted and definitely faithful to Doyle's initial presentation of the gifted detective. Basil Rathbone's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes remains outstanding and he's the only actor (maybe alongside Peter Cushing) who turns the character's typical arrogance into an extra trump. This isn't my favorite Holmes-movie (I'm hopelessly addicted to "The Hound of the Baskervillers") but it sure is a highly recommended mystery/thriller.

"Who Had It?...."

[theowinthrop · 8/10 · 7 August 2005]

Although it seems a little long, at times, SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH is one of the best of the modern Holmes stories starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The plot for a change actually is twisty enough for one to wonder who is the killer. The revelation is a bit more of a surprise than many of the other stories.

The basis for this film is "THE MUSGRAVE RITUAL", which is similar in some details but has been expanded. The story, actually one of two that Holmes has to relate to Watson because it occurred before they met, is how Holmes is visiting the home of a school chum, Reginald Musgrave, and how the family butler, one Brunton, disappears after he is caught in the act of apparently looking over old family documents. Musgrave discharged Brunton, but then the butler vanished. It is believed he has fled because he has become entangled with a local girl, who has also disappeared.

The story was properly filmed (although with some slight changes) in the BBC "Mystery" series of Holmes stories with Jeremy Brett. I will not tell the clever ending, but it deals with the titled "Ritual" which the Musgrave family has been reciting since the middle of the 17th Century, which begins: "Who had it? He who is gone. Who shall have it? He who will come." If one thinks about the ritual wording one can help figure out the mystery of the story. Interestingly, the wording attracted a literary figure of higher importance than Conan Doyle in modern times - T. S. Elliot. Always having a fine ear for English speech and diction, Elliot was so impressed with the first four lines of the Ritual, he transposed them into a section of his verse drama about Thomas a'Beckett, MURDER IN THE CATHEDRAL. Elliot was very fond of Conan Doyle's stories, and one of his poems in OLD POSSUM'S BOOK OF PRACTICAL CATS (the source of the musical CATS) is "MACAVITY THE MYSTERY CAT" which is based on details about Professor Moriarty.

The actual ritual is used in the film, although it is expanded into a type of chess game. The story is changed (modernized to fit the war effort). Watson is working at a rest home for soldiers suffering stress and battle fatigue. The home is the estate house of Geoffrey Musgrave, his brother Philip, and his sister Sally (Frederick Warlock, Gavin Muir, and Hillary Brooke). One day Watson's assistant Dr. Bob Sexton (Arthur Margetson) stumbles in wounded and says he was attacked from behind and stabbed in the neck. The perpetrator is assumed to be one of the serviceman. Watson tells Holmes about it, so Holmes comes down to take a look. Then a murder occurs, and Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey, as good as ever) pops up. The chief suspect is the American officer Captain Vickery (Milburn Stone - not given too much to do in this film, unfortunately), who has been romancing Brooke. I will leave it at that, except to say that the secret of the Ritual is expanded from a piece of jewelry to something of considerable more value. Despite some slightly long stretches, it is a good, twisty plot and well worth the watching.

Sherlock Holmes actually doesn't face death.

[CuriosityKilledShawn · 6/10 · 7 October 2007]

I am not sure where the title comes from. It seems to be rather generic and meaningless if you ask me. I could have come up with something better than that. I'm not sure why they didn't just name it Sherlock Holmes and the Musgrave Ritual since it is based on that particular Conan Doyle story anyway.

This film has Watson helping out with combat fatigued war veterans (post-WII) who are recovering in a spooky old manor. When one of the residents is attacked by a mysterious figure, Watson recruits Holmes to uncover the reasons. Bodies soon pile up and a deeper mystery is revealed to be lurking beneath the surface.

The atmosphere is pretty thick and the set design and photography are right on the button. This is what I like best about these old Sherlock Holmes movies. The howling wind, creepy old mansions, ominous clouds and rural settings give it a truly unique feel, though you can tell that is it merely filmed on the 'European Village' set on the Universal backlot.

The modern setting does detract from the overall quality of the film however. And even though the silly, patriotic WWII nonsense is pretty much gone, there is still a tacked-on speech at the end on how Britain is entering 'a new era' in which people will trust one another and look after their fellow man instead of pursuing wealth and unending greed.

Did that actually happen? I don't recall there being a time like that in Britain. I think that Holmes and Watson would turn in their graves if they knew how degraded and utterly without morals this place has become.

Ritualistic!

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 9 February 2014]

For those that know "The Musgrave Ritual," one of the better stories of the Holmes canon, this doesn't do too badly. It takes place in a convalescent home where Watson is helping veterans who suffer from a type of PTSD. The patients, sadly, provide some comic relief, and Watson's role is once again foolish and clutzy. However, once the bodies start showing up all over the place, under piles of leaves, in the rumble seats of cars, etc., Holmes must come to the rescue. There is a lot of lightning and thunder and dark and stormy night stuff going on. There is funeral service where the heroine is asked to recite the Musgrave ritual, an ancient set of cryptic statements that eventually become significant to the solving of the case. Holmes pull a few tricks from his bag of deceptions. Like the original, everyone ends up in a hidden cellar which holds a secret. It is a reasonably resonant offering in the Rathbone series and worth a watch. The atmosphere is worth the price of admission.

Good, but not one of the best of the series

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 18 December 2016]

This entry in the Rathbone/Holmes canon has all the typical elements present and correct, and carries on the wartime theme by being set at a home for war wounded officers. Fans of the actor - or, indeed the author - will find it passes the time amiably enough as I did, even if there's no way that you can say this is a classic of the series. There are no real stand-out performances from the supporting cast members, and even the villain of the film is a lacklustre one.

Once again it's down to Rathbone and Bruce to salvage the film as best they can, with able comic relief from Dennis Hoey as Inspector Lestrade who brightens up the film every time he's on screen. Rathbone gives a typically stirring speech in the closing stages of this film (a propaganda-tinged one, no less) although Bruce doesn't have any real moments to shine in this film - he's fine, but Hoey gets all the best jokes.

The setting, an isolated mansion, is a familiar one, and atmospheric too. There's even a lightning strike which causes a suit of armour to crash to the ground. The mystery, involving the 'Musgrave Ritual' is directly based on one of the Conan Doyle stories. The typical twists and clues are all there and rather easy to spot. The film includes every mystery aspect possible - the room locked from the inside, the whodunit, the string of grisly murders, etc. - and as such it's a solid addition to the 'old dark house' sub-genre of movie-making.

One of the worst

[bjhiza · 1/10 · 15 October 2017]

This lame entry does a terrible disservice to the great detective..for example..when Sally rushes to find Holmes at the pub to tell him her brother Phillip is missing, Holmes response: "did you check his room?"...really. Why did it take so long for Holmes to realize the Musgrave Ritual was chess terms???..why did he play the chess game with humans.was it really necessary? Why did Holmes dig he broken needle fragment out of Phillip Musgraves's head? Don't they do autopsies on murder victims in England? Why did Dr. Sexton leave the Crown Grant down in the crypt? Why didn't the Musgrave's claim the land ages ago? "Oh, I'd rather stay poor, and let two generations down the road claim the land"...????? Why did Sally throw away a fortune??? Is there a law in England that states when you inherit land you have to evict the former tenants?!?!?...the whole movie is filled with idiotic nonsense....