4 stars for this early eighties adaptation of a classic Sherlock Holmes tale.
This version of the quintessential story by Arthur Conan Doyle was first released in 1983 and is directed by Douglas Hickox (Zulu Dawn, Brannigan).
It is being released on Blu-ray for the first time courtesy of Second Sight Films and has had a brand new 4K restoration.
It stars Ian Richardson (From Hell, Twice Upon A Time) in the iconic role of Sherlock Holmes and Donald Churchill (El C.I.D., Wild Things) as his entertainingly bumbling sidekick Dr. Watson.
After generations of living in fear of the Baskerville family curse, it finally seems to come to pass with the death of Sir Charles Baskerville (David Langton – The Whistle Blower), apparently at the hands of an enormous dog. 
Close family friend Dr. Mortimer (Denholm Elliott – Raiders of the Lost Ark) looks to Holmes and Watson for help to solve the mystery, as the sole heir Sir Henry Baskerville (Martin Shaw – Judge John Deed, Always and Everyone) is due to arrive from America.
Watson heads off to investigate, while Holmes decides to stay behind. However, Watson has his work cut out with a whole host of suspicious characters to choose from. There’s a mysterious gypsy who wants to read everyone’s fortune, the local painter Geoffrey Lyons (Brian Blessed – Tarzan, Alexander) and his wife Laura (Connie Booth – Fawlty Towers, High Spirits), naturalist Jack Stapleton (Nicholas Clay – Psychos) and his sister Beryl (Glynis Barber – Eastenders and of course the sinister butler Barrymore (Edward Judd – The Day the Earth Caught Fire) and his wife (Eleanor Bron – Help!, Wimbledon).
With a whole host of familiar faces and great performances all round, coupled with the new restoration, this is a really good version of one of the nation’s favourite stories. The settings are also good, lots of fog shrouded marshes and imposing stately homes. Perfect Sunday afternoon viewing and well worth adding to your collection.
“Love is as strong as death. Jealousy is as strong as the grave.”
The Hound of the Baskervilles is available to buy now on DVD, Blu-ray, download and on-demand.
| Director | Douglas Hickox |
| Genre | Crime, horror, mystery |
| Starring | Ian Richardson, Martin Shaw, Denholm Elliott, Brian Blessed, Donald Churchill |
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