Terror by Night

Starring:Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Alan Mowbray, Dennis Hoey, Renee Godfrey, Frederick Worlock, Mary Forbes, Skelton Knaggs, Billy Bevan, Geoffrey Steele, Boyd Davis, Gilbert Allen, Charles Knight, Tom Pilkington, Colin Kenny, Bobby Wissler, Leyland Hodgson, Janet Murdoch, Harry Cording, Gerald Hamer
Director: Roy William Neill
Studio: FOCUS FILMS
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Sherlock Holmes
Dressed to Kill/Woman in Green/Terror by Night-set
Just as I Remembered Them
Tremendous Nostalgic Value
Gotta love those sleuths.

Legendary Sherlock Holmes (Dressed To Kill / The Woman In Green / Terror By Night)
Starring: Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , Hillary Brooke , Henry Daniell , and Paul Cavanagh
Director: Roy William Neill
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

ASIN: B00005N5RW
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Amazon.com

Basil Rathbone. Nigel Bruce. Sherlock Holmes. Who can resist these mystery masters? Legendary Sherlock Holmes Movies packs three Arthur Conan Doyle adventures on one DVD. Dressed to Kill pits Holmes against a formidable female adversary as he tries to tease apart a puzzle involving music boxes and murder. The Woman in Green centers on a series of brutal murders in which each victim is missing a finger. Finally, Terror by Night is a good old-fashioned mystery about jewel theft and murder on an overnight train. Any one is perfect for curling up with a cup of tea on a stormy night. Basil Rathbone is still the definitive Sherlock Holmes, and Nigel Bruce, charming and deftly comic, is the perfect Watson. DVD goodies include cast biographies and Sherlock Holmes trivia. --Ali Davis

Description

3 Great Movies on 1 DVD. Star Power, Exciting Genre with Extras on each DVD.

Customer Reviews:

Sherlock Holmes.......2006-11-05

I was so very pleased with the quality of the films on this DVD. There is a disclaimer in the beginning saying the quality may not be as good as expected but it was better then I expected. The sound quality is very good and the picture quality is very good. I would recommend this DVD to anyone who enjoys the old Sherlock Holmes films.

Dressed to Kill/Woman in Green/Terror by Night-set.......2004-03-01

I think some of the postings here have been less than truthful. This particular DVD is very grainy, the sound is often muddy and there are occasional jumps in scenes. I do not recommend this to a buyer wanting to add some Holmes films to his library. Surely there's a better offering out there...and if not, I would suggest waiting till someone offers a digitally remastered version of these very fine old films.

Just as I Remembered Them.......2002-05-31

This DVD brings back these three movies exactly as I remember them. I was not yet born when these movies debuted on the silver screen, however...my memories of these movies is from when I was a child, watching them on late-night television with my grandmother. Since then, I have been a fan of Basil Rathbone and enjoy his rendition of the infamous resident of 221B Baker Street. These movies are original material (as opposed to, say, The Hound of Baskervilles which is adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writings) but still capture the epitome of Sherlock Holmes.

The quality of the reproduction certainly is not perfect. However, if you remember watching these movies on television as I do, then you will be familiar with the quality of the film. The sound is a little scratchy, and the picture is a little grainy, but the movies are viewable and very much enjoyable. If you remember these movies, you will not be disappointed by this DVD. If, however, you are looking for adaptations of original Conan Doyle material, you may wish to look to the Jeremy Brett renditions.

Tremendous Nostalgic Value.......2002-03-27

Many people, especially those who grew up during the 1930s and 1940s, have fond memories of Basil Rathbone's famous Sherlock Holmes series. My own exposure to the popular series came in the 1970s, when I encountered them on the late-late show; "The Scarlet Claw" was a particular favorite. Unfortunately, few of these films have ever been released to the home market in either VHS or DVD, and those that have reflect their need for serious restoration. This is particularly true of the films seen here. Although not unbearably fuzzy, the pictures are far from being crisp and clean, and the sound is occasionally problematic.

DRESSED TO KILL finds Holmes investigating three mysterious music boxes--and events quickly turn to murder. Of the three films, this is the weakest: the story is very slow to start and it never really achieves a good pace; the sound quality is also very, very poor in spots. THE LADY IN GREEN concerns Holmes' investigation into several murders that seem to be the work of a serial killer, and although the film elements remain problematic this film is quite a bit more enjoyable than the first. The third and final film, TERROR BY NIGHT, is easily the best of the three in both story and elements, setting a cracking pace with its story of murder and a diamond theft onboard an Edinburg-bound train.

Film restoration issues aside, Rathbone's Holmes has held up extremely well over time. As interpreted here, Holmes is sometimes as much action hero as he is thinking machine, and Rathbone plays him with a snappy clip, dry humor, and enough intensity to suggest untold depths. He is well matched by Nigel Bruce, whose truly dunderheaded Dr. Watson nonetheless has considerable wit and charm. The stories and scripts are pure formula, of course, and the supporting casts and production values quite mild--but Rathbone and Bruce's performances and chemistry have more than enough charm to gloss over these inadequacies. Not every one will enjoy these films, for they have a naive quality that many may consider unsophistocated to the point of absurdity, but fans of the series would rather fight than switch. Just bear in mind the quality issues, don't expect too much, and you'll have a very good time.

Gotta love those sleuths........2002-03-11

I adore every one of the old Holmes/Watson films with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. I thought they were perfect for the parts, and Nigel Bruce was just an endearing Watson. If you are into the Master, and don't take yourself too seriously, these are fun to watch. I only wish that there were more of them for us to enjoy. On the down side, do not expect great quality from these films because it isn't there. Sadly, these are falling apart, so there may not be any more of them in the future, unless someone makes an investment, and restores them. Even though they are only "acceptable" visually, these are wonderful slices of cinematic entertainment. Rathbone's arch, tongue in cheek Holmes, and Bruce's endearing, bumbling, and smug Watson are too good to pass up. I watched these as a child, and so for me, there are no other actors who could come close to these guys. Watching Watson bumble around, gives you an understanding of what an upper class twit is, and how they lost the empire!

Sherlock Holmes Collection Volume 3 (Dressed to Kill/In Pursuit to Algiers/Terror By Night/The Woman in Green)

Average customer rating:

Dressed for terror
Satisfied but Bewildered
Most favorite Holmes movies.
Worth the wait !
Fantastic quality - classic films!

Sherlock Holmes Collection Volume 3 (Dressed to Kill/In Pursuit to Algiers/Terror By Night/The Woman in Green)
Starring: Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , Hillary Brooke , Henry Daniell , and Paul Cavanagh
Director: Roy William Neill
Manufacturer: Mpi Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000EMYKY
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Description

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. Volume 3 contains: Sherlock Holmes In Pusuit to Algiers, Sherlock Holmes Dressed to Kill, Sherlock Holmes Terror By Night, Sherlock Holmes and The Woman in Green

Customer Reviews:

Dressed for terror.......2007-02-06

Basil Rathbone is one of the two great Holmes actors in movie history (the other being Jeremy Brett). And he was in fine form in "Sherlock Holmes Collection Volume 3," which varies from merely okay to absolutely brilliant.

"Dressed to Kill" has a friend of Watson's (Nigel Bruce) telling Holmes of a bizarre crime -- someone broke into his house, and stole a worthless music box from a valuable collection. Then the man is murdered -- and three plain little music boxes are the key to solving an elaborate mystery.

"Terror By Night" has Holmes hired to look after a valuable diamond belonging to a wealthy woman, as she travels back to Scotland. Of course, the diamond gets stolen and the woman's son is murdered in the attempt, and now Holmes discovers that the murderer is an old enemy.

"The Woman In Green" deals with a serial killer -- four women have died, and each time a finger was removed. The police think that it's just a baffling series of crimes, but Holmes knows better -- and he suspects that his old, supposedly-dead nemesis Moriarty (Henry Daniell) is involved.

Finally there's "In Pursuit to Algiers," in which the king of Ravenia has been murdered -- and now his son is in danger too. On the cruise to his homeland, the young king pretends to be a relative of Watson's -- but Holmes still has to guard him against an array of potential murderers.

These were some of the later Holmes adventures, often not based (or loosely based) on Arthur Conan Doyle's works. But even the weakest ("Dressed to Kill") is still an enjoyable mystery, with some amusing moments and unexpected twists. They're just not as brilliant as Doyle's, that's all.

And they are solidly written and directed, with plenty of interesting settings, from the claustrophobic train to Scotland to a hypnotists' society. And the filmmakers throw in some wonderful little twists, such as a switcheroo Holmes plays on his enemy in "Terror By Night."

Rathbone is still best known for playing Holmes, and he does it well -- cool, cerebral, but with a gentle humor and warmth in scenes such as the little girl's rescue. Bruce doesn't fare as well, since the capable Watson is portrayed as a kindly bumbler, but he does a solid enough job with a poorly-portrayed character.

"The Sherlock Holmes Collection Volume 3" is a bit less solid than the other collections, but still very nicely done. Definitely worth watching.

Satisfied but Bewildered.......2004-12-17

After having spent years watching all 14 of the videos from Key, I recently purchased volume 3 of the Sherlock Holmes Collection. Everything they've said about the enhanced picture/sound quality is true, however, the DVD extras are missing. Am I the only one? The DVD extras promoted on the back of the case include: audio commentary with Stuart Davies, footage of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, production notes by Richard Valley and Photo Gallery/Original Movie Posters. I don't have any of the extras. It's still worth the buy and a five star gem.

Most favorite Holmes movies........2004-04-24

I couldn't wait to get this set of Holmes. My all-time favorite is Terror by Night. They are super quality and even better than the Key Vidio editions. This volume is NOT COLOR...it's B & W. Amazon...PLEASE CHANGE THIS ASAP!!!! It's deceiving!!! I would have bought it from you but it said that it was COLOR. I went and called Suncoast Pictures and they said it was B&W so I got it there. Fans...it IS B & W. What would a Rathbone, Holmes movie be without it being B & W.

Thanks Amazon,

Larry

Worth the wait !.......2004-02-05

IF the house were burning down, I'd grab these 3 DVD sets of Sherlock Holmes on my way out !! Thanks to those who made these restored versions possible, they are wonderful. All of these are far superior to any entertainment made today.

Fantastic quality - classic films!.......2004-02-02

The films on this collection are of truly stunning quality, in comparison to the diabolical Region 2 set by Orbit Media Ltd. Truly fantastic quality. If you are a Basil Rathbone fan, you *must* get this set. I cannot recommend it highly enough. A definate must-buy product. Elementary, my dear Reader.

Sherlock Holmes - Terror by Night (Colorized / Black and White)

Average customer rating:

Sherlock and the Diamond
SUSPENSEFUL!!!
TEDIUM ON A TRAIN
A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist
A ticket to mystery

Sherlock Holmes - Terror by Night (Colorized / Black and White)
Starring: Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , Alan Mowbray , Dennis Hoey , and Renee Godfrey
Director: Roy William Neill
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009X75K6
Release Date: 2005-09-06

Description

The legendary Sherlock Holmes plunges us into this thrill ride of a murder mystery set on a speeding passenger train. Holmes has been entrusted to guard the transport of the 400-carat diamond, Star of Rhodesia, but when the gem is stolen, the murders start to mount. Only the masterful Holmes can deduce which of the eccentric and suspicious passengers is the true criminal.

Customer Reviews:

Sherlock and the Diamond.......2006-01-26

The Basil Rathbone - Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes films were moved from Victorian England to current England (1946). Also, like the James Bond films, the only thing similar to the books is the title. If you are looking for faithful adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle books then get the Jeremy Brett Mystery series. If you are looking for some great acting and good period mysteries, the Rathbone - Bruce series is great.

Lady Carstairs is taking the train from London to Edinburgh with The Star of Rhodesia. Holmes and Watson are hired to protect it from master jewel thief Colonel Moran, who also happens to be a master of disguise. To make things more intriguing, Lady Carstairs son, Roland, is murdered on the train. This is probably one of the more typical plots but is set entirely on a train.

The transfer quality is fairly poor but not awful. These are the kind of films that are not usually subject to restoration and the deteriorated status is that of wear and age. I have seen a new collection but they are quite expensive. So if you just want to have a copy of the films just to enjoy these mysteries, these are fine.

Of course, for most Basil was Sherlock Holmes, this was probably the first films that he had a chance to a role that he could use his substantial talent. Before these, he was usually the bad guy or a minor supporting player. He was an accomplished swordsman and the joke was he constantly had to lose to actors that he could beat blindfolded. So Basil made these quickie films much more depth than they would otherwise have.

SUSPENSEFUL!!!.......2005-09-30

What makes this a masterpiece "who done it" is that everyone acts suspicious.
Holmes is hired by Roland Carstairs to guard the Star of Rhodesia, a magnificent diamond being transported from London to Edinburgh. Holmes replaces the diamond with a fake that ends up being stolen and Carstairs is murdered. Now, the question is who stole the fake one and killed Carstairs. But Carstairs is not the only one to get murdered. There WILL be others, and for some of you who are trying to figure out who the fiend is, you might just be surprised when the very one you thought done the killing, ends up being killed themselves. Black and White with no curse words or sexual situations and no bloody gore. Just a superb plot with a fairly good directed movie.
I say fairly good because the way the train was shown speeding down the track was obviously done by fast forwarding the film. If a real train was to cut a corner like that one did in the movie, it'd flip off the track. But overall this is a movie worth watching, with great action and suspense(one scene in particular that comes to mind is where Holmes fights desperately to keep from being literally thrown off the train), also, there is drama, intrique, and horror. This is one you can enjoy watching alone to figure out who done it, or share with a friend, family members, or mate.
Get something to eat, preferably buttered popcorn and a Coke (or as I like to eat, Banner chocolate covered almonds and a Coke), turn out the lights, and by all means, make sure you put your sofa or chair against the wall as you enjoy this entertaining film. If you like a good mystery, you'll want to order this one.

TEDIUM ON A TRAIN.......2005-04-10

Tedious Sherlock Holmes entry that can't be salvaged even with the casting of the best theatrical Holmes and Watson; Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. The speeding train makes for a limited cinematic experience, and Bruce's Watson comes off more imbesole than sidekick. The bigger mystery is where the title comes from; although the train travels at night, 'terror' is not the word that comes to mind.

A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist .......2004-10-04

Terror By Night offers a nice change of pace in the old Sherlock Holmes series of films starring Basil Rathbone as the great detective. The action takes place completely outside the confines of London and 221B Baker Street, centering on a train ride from London to Edinburgh. Holmes has been hired to safeguard an ill-fated diamond called the Star of Rhodesia on Lady Margaret Carstairs' trip home, but he's not alone. Good old Inspector Lestrade is also onboard, posing as a fisherman on holiday. Despite the presence of Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade, though, Lady Margaret's son is murdered and the jewel stolen. The jewel must be in one of the compartments onboard the train, and Lestrade quickly takes over the questioning and searching of the passengers. Dr. Watson - God bless him - also attempts his own investigation, which bears only ignominious - and comical - results.

There are a number of real characters onboard the train, each one of them suspicious in some way or other. There's a rather impertinent young lady accompanying her mother's coffin, a most disagreeable professor, an older couple concerned about the police presence around them, Watson's old friend Major Duncan-Bleek, as well as several train employees. The fact that we the viewers are kept unaware of the culprit's identity until the end is a definite plus - as is the fact that the guilty party turns out to be a jewel thief of much renown. There's as much light comedy as there is drama until the endgame is set in motion, and the ending offers a surprise or two that rescues the film from the realm of the merely average. Terror By Night is not the best of the Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films, but it's certainly an entertaining, reasonably compelling entry in the series.

A ticket to mystery.......2004-06-30

This is not the best of the Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce pairings but nonetheless this is an enjoyable outing.
Terror by Night is one of those I put on late at night to watch curled up on the sofa with a cat by my side. The rhythm of the train and the steadfast bond between Holmes, Watson and Lestrade creates one of the most relaxing murder mysteries ever put on film. The deliberate pace may not please all, but to those with a taste for it this is the mystery equivalent of a good house wine.

PopFlix - Mystery (The Woman in Green / Terror by Night / Dressed to Kill)

Average customer rating:

PopFlix - Mystery (The Woman in Green / Terror by Night / Dressed to Kill)
Starring: Rathbone , and Bruce
Manufacturer: Pop Flix
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000F8O3JQ
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Description

SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S MASTER SLEUTH IN THREE THRILLING MYSTERIES! Total Running Time: 3 hrs 20 min

The Woman in Green (1945) 68 min. B&W Starring: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Hillary Brooke A series of beautiful women are found dead, each with her right forefinger chopped off! Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson aren't pointing fingers yet, but a trail of evidence leads Holmes to his recurrent nemesis, Professor Moriarty, and the occult world of hypnosis.

Terror By Night (1946) 60min. B&W Starring: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce; Director: Roy William Neill Terror haunts a train ride from London to Edinburgh! Detective Holmes and Dr. Watson are on board, guarding the delivery of a precious diamond known as the "Star of Rhodesia." When someone is murdered and the diamond is stolen, no passenger is considered innocent under Holmes' critical eye.

Description

Terror by Night (1946) hints at a few of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories. The action takes place on a speeding steam train racing from London to Edinburgh. Lady Margaret Carstairs possess a 423 karat diamond, known as the 'Star of Rhodesia' and her son employs Holmes to protect the priceless jewel until it reaches its home in Scotland. Lady Margaret's son is found murdered and the 'Star of Rhodesia' has been whisked away. Eccentric and suspicious passengers line the Scotland Express as Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Inspector Lestrade (Dennis Hoey) investigate. Along for the ride is an old friend of Watson's, Major Duncan-Bleek (Alan Mowbray), who may or may not be as disinterested a party as he appears.

Customer Reviews:

Sherlock and the Diamond.......2006-01-26

SUSPENSEFUL!!!.......2005-09-30

TEDIUM ON A TRAIN.......2005-04-10

A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist .......2004-10-04

A ticket to mystery.......2004-06-30

Average customer rating:

Sherlock and the Diamond
SUSPENSEFUL!!!
TEDIUM ON A TRAIN
A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist
A ticket to mystery

Sherlock Holmes: Terror By Night (B&W)
Starring: Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , Alan Mowbray , Dennis Hoey , and Renee Godfrey
Director: Roy William Neill
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00006SFJ6
Release Date: 2002-10-22

Customer Reviews:

Sherlock and the Diamond.......2006-01-26

SUSPENSEFUL!!!.......2005-09-30

TEDIUM ON A TRAIN.......2005-04-10

A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist .......2004-10-04

A ticket to mystery.......2004-06-30

Sherlock Holmes: Dressed to Kill/Terror By Night

Average customer rating:

Kill and terror
Two of Basil Rathbone's more distinctive Sherlock films

Sherlock Holmes: Dressed to Kill/Terror By Night

Manufacturer: Diamond Ent. Corp.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Sherlock Holmes in Pursuit To Algiers

ASIN: B0000B1A6H
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Customer Reviews:

Kill and terror.......2006-08-03

Until Jeremy Brett put on the deerstalker, Basil Rathbone was considered the one and only Sherlock Holmes, cinematically. His excellent performances make both of these movies -- the mediocre "Dressed to Kill" and excellent "Terror by Night" -- definite must-sees, even if you have to deal with some crackling.

"Dressed to Kill" opens with several people bidding on peculiar music boxes, including Watson's pal "Stinky." Stinky ends up with a knife in the back and his music box stolen, which Scotland Yard regards as a curiosity -- and Holmes (Rathbone) regards as a dangerous intrigue.

Now they are in a race against time, against a gang of criminals led by a glamourous woman, who are determined to get their hands on every music box. Holmes manages to get his hand on one of them, but he will have to deal with the gang's desperation -- and their secret plot hatched in Dartmoor Prison.

"Terorr By Night" is somewhat different -- Holmes is hired not to solve a mystery, but to guard the astounding Star of Rhodesia on a train to Edinburgh. Lestrade and Watson are also on board, but all that doesn't stop its owner's son from being murdered, and the jewel (naturally) from being stolen.

Now all three of them -- Holmes, Watson and Lestrade -- begin their own investigations, sometimes with ridiculous results. Holmes quickly unravels a bizarre plot involving the Star, a coffin, a number of unsavory characters... and Professor Moriarty's dastardly sidekick, in disguise.

These movies are not the best of the old Holmes series -- "Dressed to Kill" is somewhat simplistic and overly straightforward for a Holmes flick, while "Terror By Night" is tighter, tauter and more suspenseful, though also more comic at times. There's also a nice twist at the end, with Lestrade and Holmes in a conspiracy that will fool even viewers.

Basil Rathbone was a really amazing Sherlock, with languid demeanor until he finds a mystery -- then he practically crackles with intelligence. Nigel Bruce makes a lovable if bumbling Watson, trying his hand at investigation (and offending his suspects) and making Donald Duck noises at a crying little girl.

This is one of Diamond Entertainment's less impressive pieces of work, although it's decent enough if you want two classic movies cheaply. The soundtrack has that "canned" quality, but is clear except for a bit of crackling (and that pervasive train noise in "Terror"). The picture wobbles a bit and is somewhat blurred by age, though "Terror by Night" is substantially clearer than "Dressed to Kill."

While the prints of this are merely decent, the two Holmes movies on here are still worth watching, if nothing else for Rathbone's wonderful performances.

Two of Basil Rathbone's more distinctive Sherlock films.......2005-09-27

Dressed to Kill (1946) has the distinction of being the final film starring Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, and I think it closed out the series on something of a high note. The film has a few weaknesses, but it does place the art of deduction on a pedestal above and beyond the action, and that is just what I want out of a Sherlock Holmes film. Needless to say, the plot is not based on any work of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but it does try to place itself within the milieu of the canon. Early on, we see Dr. Watson perusing the latest issue of The Strand; A Scandal in Bohemia has just been published, and this leads to a few comments on "the woman," Irene Adler. This sets up the new case in hand, one in which Holmes finds himself greatly tested by yet another woman. Hilda Courtney (Patricia Morrison) is no Irene Adler, but she is devilishly clever enough to pose quite an interesting and dangerous challenge to the great detective.

Like many of the classic Holmes stories, this adventure starts with a common object - a music box. One of Watson's old friends stops by and describes the theft of one of the plainest music boxes in his collection the night before. Thinking it odd that a thief would steal only a seemingly insignificant piece of the collection, Holmes sets his mind to looking for an explanation more complicated than any petty thief theory. He soon finds himself on a search for three music boxes, each of which plays the same tune (but with minor differences). The ultimate quarry is a set of stolen plates from the Bank of England. Convinced that the music boxes contain some type of code pointing to the location of the plates, Holmes is hard pressed to figure out the secret of the boxes. His foe is a clever one; not only is she capable of playing Watson for a fool, she is clever enough to outmaneuver Holmes himself.

A needlessly elaborate method of disposing once and for all of the meddling detective definitely weakens the effectiveness of this story, but all in all I found this a perfectly enjoyable Holmesian adventure. Watching Holmes try to figure out the secret of the music boxes calls to mind the spirit of Holmes' original adventures and showcases the detective doing what he does best.

Terror By Night offers a nice change of pace in the old Sherlock Holmes series of films starring Basil Rathbone as the great detective. The action takes place completely outside the confines of London and 221B Baker Street, centering on a train ride from London to Edinburgh. Holmes has been hired to safeguard an ill-fated diamond called the Star of Rhodesia on Lady Margaret Carstairs' trip home, but he's not alone. Good old Inspector Lestrade is also onboard, posing as a fisherman on holiday. Despite the presence of Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade, though, Lady Margaret's son is murdered and the jewel stolen. The jewel must be in one of the compartments onboard the train, and Lestrade quickly takes over the questioning and searching of the passengers. Dr. Watson - God bless him - also attempts his own investigation, which bears only ignominious - and comical - results.

There are a number of real characters onboard the train, each one of them suspicious in some way or other. There's a rather impertinent young lady accompanying her mother's coffin, a most disagreeable professor, an older couple concerned about the police presence around them, Watson's old friend Major Duncan-Bleek, as well as several train employees. The fact that we the viewers are kept unaware of the culprit's identity until the end is a definite plus - as is the fact that the guilty party turns out to be a jewel thief of much renown. There's as much light comedy as there is drama until the endgame is set in motion, and the ending offers a surprise or two that rescues the film from the realm of the merely average. Terror By Night is not the best of the Rathbone Sherlock Holmes films, but it's certainly an entertaining, reasonably compelling entry in the series.

Sherlock Holmes: Secret Weapon & Terror By Night

Average customer rating:

Two Great Movies - Equals a great DVD

Sherlock Holmes: Secret Weapon & Terror By Night
Starring: Sherlock Holmes
Manufacturer: Marengo Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Sherlock Holmes - The Woman in Green / Dressed to Kill

ASIN: B00006IUJN
Release Date: 2003-11-04

Description

Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Karen Verne. England is at war with Germany. Holmes and Watson soon find themselves in the thick of a German plot to steal a weapon delivered to the British by its inventor. Holmes once again battles his nemesis Moriarty.

Customer Reviews:

Two Great Movies - Equals a great DVD.......2005-05-19

Both prints on this DVD are of superb quality. In addition Marengo Films has put them through a complete sound design. This is one of the finest DVD's of these two films on the market today.

Sherlock Holmes: Woman in Green/The Secret Weapon/Dressed to Kill/Terror by Night

Average customer rating:

Sherlock Holmes: Woman in Green/The Secret Weapon/Dressed to Kill/Terror by Night
Starring: Collectors Classics: Sherlock Holmes
Manufacturer: Gladiator
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Mystery | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Average customer rating:

Sherlock and the Diamond
SUSPENSEFUL!!!
TEDIUM ON A TRAIN
A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist
A ticket to mystery

Terror by Night
Starring: Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , Alan Mowbray , Dennis Hoey , and Renee Godfrey
Director: Roy William Neill
Manufacturer: FOCUS FILMS
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Suspense | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Sherlock Holmes - The Woman in Green
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon
Sherlock Holmes - Prelude to Murder (aka Dressed to Kill) (Colorized / Black and White)
Sherlock Holmes - Dressed to Kill
Sherlock Holmes - The House of Fear

ASIN: B000056T5I
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Customer Reviews:

Sherlock and the Diamond.......2006-01-26

SUSPENSEFUL!!!.......2005-09-30

TEDIUM ON A TRAIN.......2005-04-10

A train caper featuring a high-stakes jewel heist .......2004-10-04

A ticket to mystery.......2004-06-30

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