Customer Reviews

Study in Terror [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

...it's a 1965 Sherlock Holmes movie starring John Neville as Holmes. I saw it once on cable and am hoping this is that movie. Interestingly, it is a Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper story, made 14 years before the better known "Murder by Decree." Trivia: actor Frank Finlay plays Inspector Lestrade in both movies, the portly Robert Morley is Mycroft Holmes, and a very young Judi Dench makes an appearance, long before she became "M."

With very little information to go on, not even an image or a firm release date as of this writing, let's hope this is the DVD release of this little known but very good Sherlock Holmes movie.

This is the best Sherlock Holmes film made between the eras of Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett. It was the first of two films co-produced by Conan Doyle's estate, and maybe that accounts for its seriousness and high quality. A crisp, witty script pits Holmes against Jack the Ripper (the same idea was used again in the much inferior "Murder by Decree") and parts of it are scary indeed. John Neville is a solid Holmes and Donald Houston is possibly the best Watson ever -- still not the brightest guy around, but you really believe he was an athlete and army officer. Other assets include a wonderful, eerie score and evocative photography. It's a rarity, so snap it up.

Although "A Study In Terror" is over 30 years old now, terror still lurks in this frightening film. Together with Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes is investigating the case of Jack the Ripper, slayer of 7 prostitutes of Victorian London. And his search shows some surprising results... An excellent British feature, with some gruesome moments. In the UK it costs £10 ($17.50), but if you like the sound of it and you live in the US, buy it anyway.

I've always had a soft spot for sixties movies. John Neville definitely makes this film. A brilliant and sorely underappreciated actor who makes a really good Sherlock Holmes. This movie unfortunately follows the less flattering Hollywood depiction of Doctor Watson. Although, not nearly as bad as the Nigel Bruce potrayal. Being spoiled on David Burke and later Edward Hardwicke's performances as Doctor Watson, I find this to be slightly unnerving. Yes, Doctor Watson was an military Doctor, but he was also a very intelligent and able man in the original stories. That and if Sherlock Holmes was based on a real person, doesn't it stand to reason that Watson is suppose to be the author himself. What an insult to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. With that said, it's a rather clever little story in which the greatest consulting detective that never lived faces one of history's notorious figures: Jack the Ripper. The movie itself has a very "Hammer Horror" feeling to it (which is ironic because Hammer did a version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles") and at times the acting and the dialogue can be a bit corny. But I think that's what endears me towards this film. But John Neville does a fantastic job in the role of Sherlock Holmes and his performance in my mind comes second to the Late Great Jeremy Brett who's performance is unsurpassed (even better than Basil Rathbone. There! I said it!) It is apparent the affect the James Bond movies had on this film as well. As well as the Batman television series. But not nearly as campy. But I recommend this movie to all Sherlockians out there. It is definitely worth seeing.

The films starts with a shot of the feet of a prositute which walks. We see someone is following him, a man. The girl looks to his back: "Hello darling. Would you like to have a fun?". Suddenly a knife cuts her thin neck. An old lady discovers the dead body: "Help, police, murder!!".

This initial sequence is the quintaessence of "A Study in Terror", a film which mixes a fiction character, Sherlock Holmes, with an existent criminal, Jack the Ripper, with great violence and charm. Violent prostitutes murders in Whitechapel and a mysterious box sent to the 221B Baker Street are the first clues which involve Sherlock Holmes into the investigation. Emotions and intrigue in a film full of Old England taste and colour. The movie has a superb ambientation and a very interesting script which mixes the character of Sherlock Holmes with a criminal of his time: Jack the Ripper. Much better than the boring "Murder by Decree", the film has excellent performances by John Neville (a wonderful Sherlock Holmes) and Donald Huston (Watson). With a great charm and details of a very good taste, the story is well constructed, funny and intelligent. The movie is fairly filmed, with beautiful colours which reminds to the Hammer films, and elegantly directed by James Hill.

The Sherlock Holmes aficionado will not find in "A Study in Terror" any excuse to be unsattisfied.

The image and sound quality of this particular edition are very good.

A realy good Sherlock Holmes Flick, a must for your collection if you are truly a "Holmsian". Unfortunately this little gem was only released in The UK and Europe, and was produced in the parochial "PAL" format. Unlike every other Holmes Feature, it was never released in the US or Canada in NTSC. So good luck in trying to find a copy you can view. There are a few used VHS copies in circulation which will play in the US, they are diufficult to find. This is an unfortunate act of omission which probably will not be corrected due to copyright regulations. Judi Dench appears in her pre-James-Bond personna.

This is one of the best Jack the Ripper movies out there. So if you like Sherlock Holmes Dr. Watson & Jack the Ripper buy this movie.

I love most sherlock holmes movies especially with
Peter Cushing! but Basil Rathbone was to me the
closest to the books. I love the TV show from the
50's is good. This Columbia picture reminds me
of a Hammer Picture. It is one of the best versions.
The story is well written and directed. John Neville
is great as sherlock holmes. I really like the twist
at the end instead of the typical ending. Of course
the case was never solved so who knows what the
perfect ending would be. I have the vhs and I am
not buying anymore dvd-r's as I received damaged
dvd's and not worth the risk. Too bad a remastered
letterbox version isn't released. I never understood
why movies like this and House of Long Shadows and
other high quality movies never get a good release
and garbage does. what idiots in hollywood they have!

This is the 60's film which has been rare to get or see. It stars an actor named John Neville in the lead role as the master detective. The story is the first film pairing of Holmes and Jack the Ripper. It is well done fun pure and simple. Holmes fans should enjoy the 2 lead actors they do very well as Holmes and Watson.
There are a lot of recognizable character actors here. Anthony Quale who would also act in Murder by Decree the other Holmes/Ripper film. Dame judith Andresen is here also as a scarred prostitute.

The film is Holmes fans delight and completists will definitely want to get the film. It is well transfered and most likely the only copy we will see.

I see Study in Terror is available at Columbia classics
Hope we see it here soon. I am looking forward to getting it.