Starring
John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara
Windsor, Adrienne Corri, Frank Finlay, Judi Dench, Robert Morley.
Directed by James Hill. (1965/95 min).
A
Study in Terror is one of many films over the years that plopped Arthur Conan
Doyle's iconic detective into an original story. In this one, the
world's most famous detective is on the hunt for the world's most
famous serial killer, Jack the Ripper, a concept so obvious that it's
surprising Doyle never thought of it himself.
With
hindsight, it was inevitable these two would hook up someday...if not
by Doyle's pen, then by numerous creative opportunists who saw the
conceptual potential that apparently escaped him. Holmes has squared off against
Jack the Ripper several times over the years, in movies, novels and
even video games. A Study in Terror may not have done it best,
but it did do it first.
Following
several violent murders (three in the film's first 15 minutes!),
Holmes (John Neville) receives a package containing a surgical kit
with one scalpel conspicuously missing. He learns it belonged to
Michael Osborne, the ostracized eldest son of an aristocratic family
who disappeared two years ago. As the murder spree continues, Holmes
and Dr. Watson (Donald Houston) follow clues in hopes of discovering
the identity of Jack the Ripper.
 |
| "Get the hell out of my chair." |
Along
the way, we're thrown lots of suspects, though the killer's identity ultimately isn't all that surprising. There's plenty of congenial banter between Holmes
& Watson, the latter of whom is constantly - and comically -
flabbergasted by Holmes' deductive skills (you'd think he'd be used
to it by now). Neville is fine in the lead role, though he doesn't
put any kind of memorable stamp on the character. In fact, the movie is mostly free of creative aspirations beyond its unique concept,
content to move from point A to B with minimal fuss or flair.
Still,
A Study in Terror is a lot of
fun. It's fast moving and competently-acted by a reliable cast of
recognizable Brits (including a very
young Judy Dench in a supporting role). Perhaps taking a cue from the
Hammer Films popular at the time, the movie also throws in welcome
bits of humor, a dash of titillation and a few scenes of jarring
violence (for the 60s, anyway). It may not be an artistic milestone, but I think Doyle would have been pleased.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
None
KITTY CONSENSUS:
PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS
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