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Poster for The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Seen it?

1939 | 85 min | Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for crime fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved The Maltese Falcon or Sherlock Holmes, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, gritty.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 1 hr 25 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1939: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Having once again avoided criminal conviction, Professor Moriarity develops a murderous plan to “finish off” his last major nemesis, Sherlock Holmes, by making him fail to prevent the perfect crime. Does it involve a family curse, the crown jewels of England, or something else…

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    89% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.9 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 27K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Alfred L. Werker

  • Basil RathboneSherlock Holmes
  • Nigel BruceDr. Watson
  • Ida LupinoAnn Brandon
  • Alan MarshalJerrold Hunter
  • Terry KilburnBilly
  • George ZuccoProfessor Moriarty
  • Henry StephensonSir Ronald Ramsgate
  • E. E. CliveInspector Bristol
  • Arthur HohlHenchman Bassick
  • May BeattyMrs. Jameson, Brandon Housekeeper