Review of A Study in Terror

Sherlock Holmes tangles with the nefarious Jack the Ripper in "Born Free" director James Hill's above-average mystery "A Study in Terror," one of the better, big-screen Conan Doyle adaptations in the 1960s. John Neville of "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" wields the magnifying glass and wears the signature deerstalker in atmospheric, turn-of-the-century London. Neville does an exemplary job as the illustrious consulting detective and participates agilely in a brawl during an incendiary scene in a pub ablaze with flames, both in foreground as well as background. Neville has the wardrobe and the language of Holmes down to a tee. Mind you, Neville isn't quite as incisive as Rathbone. Nevertheless, he acquits himself adequately in the role. Incidentally, he played Holmes afterward on the stage. "Meet Mr. Lucifer" lenser Desmond Dickinson captures the action from interesting angles, especially during this conflagration, and illuminates the surroundings in complimentary light throughout this 107-minute film. Some flavorful dialogue in the Donald and Derek Ford screenplay, taken from Jim O'Connolly's original story, has that unmistakable Conan Doyle ring. O'Connolly's numerous credits include "Blood Beast from Outer Space" (1965) and "Horror on Snape Island (1972)." No, "A Study in Terror" is not an adaptation of any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's writings, but he might enjoy what they have done with his characters, particularly the discrete ending. The cast is sterling, including a young Judi Dench, later James Bond's boss in "GoldenEye." Unfortunately, Judi doesn't have much to distinguish herself in this rendition. The story takes place in the dark, seedy, dangerous thoroughfares of White Chapel. Prostitutes are being murdered with wicked looking medical cutlery, and Scotland Yard's Inspector Lestrade (Frank Finlay of "The Wild Geese") is investigating without success. Police Surgeon Dr. Murray (Anthony Quale of "The Eagle Has Landed") comes under Holmes' scrutiny and suspicion when the dastardly acts of the Ripper are linked to a missing scalpel in a surgeon's case. Eventually, our hero meets the individual who whetted his appetite with that case. Of course, all Sherlock Holmes mysteries are scrutinized with regard to the treatment of the detective's hardy sidekick, Dr. John Watson (Donald Houston of "Where Eagles Dare"), who chronicles Holmes' exploits. Houston isn't as buffoonish as Nigel Green's Watson from the landmark Universal Pictures' franchise co-starring Basil Rathbone. Similarly, Lestrade appears briefly, but he isn't depicted as the nincompoop in the Rathbone franchise. A superb but rotund Robert Morley stands out as Holmes' elder brother Mycroft. Morley fits Conan Doyle's description perfectly. He steals the scene during which he upbraids Holmes for squandering his time sawing tunelessly on a violin. Indeed, the worst thing you can say about Houston's Watson is he is a dreary character who never makes an ass of himself. The ending is nifty, and some of the red herrings are serviceable. Altogether, sturdy production values and a compelling cast highlight this adventure that is at least worth watching once. "A Study in Terror" treads lightly with its infliction of terror, but it satisfies audiences wanting a traditional rendering of Conan Doyle's immortal character.