Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- atmospheric
- suspenseful
- witty
- classic movie night
- mystery marathon
What critics said
Critics and viewers broadly regard the film as an accomplished, atmospheric murder mystery elevated by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s definitive partnership.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Moriarty engineers a series of murders to draw Holmes and Watson away from the planned crown-jewel theft.
Professor Moriarty constructs an elaborate deception specifically to distract Sherlock Holmes while pursuing the central heist.
The film emphasizes a foggy London atmosphere and uses the Tower of London and crown jewels as prominent visual and narrative anchors.
The crown jewels serve as both Moriarty's intended prize and the high-stakes object motivating Holmes's pursuit.
Films like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and why
The Hound of the Baskervilles
classic detective mystery with an iconic sleuth, criminal mastermind, atmospheric London setting, and measured suspense
The Scarlet Claw
black-and-white Sherlock Holmes investigation driven by murder, deduction, and period atmosphere
The Maltese Falcon
stylish classic crime mystery pairing an ingenious investigator with a threatening criminal conspiracy
Movie Details
- Director
- Alfred L. Werker
- Release Date
- 1939-09-01
- Runtime
- 85 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (176)
Cast
- Basil Rathbone
- Nigel Bruce
- Ida Lupino
- Alan Marshal
- Terry Kilburn
- George Zucco
- Henry Stephenson
- E. E. Clive
- Arthur Hohl
- May Beatty
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes about?
- Sherlock Holmes races to expose Moriarty’s murder-driven diversion before a spectacular theft of Britain’s crown jewels.
- What is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?
- Critics and viewers broadly regard the film as an accomplished, atmospheric murder mystery elevated by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce’s definitive partnership.
- Which films are like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?
- Films with a similar feel include The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Scarlet Claw, and The Maltese Falcon.
- How long is The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?
- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes runs 85 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes?
- In United States, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
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- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Treasures of Agra - Part 11983
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- The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Twentieth Century Begins - Part 21988
- Sherlock Holmes in Washington1943
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