Review of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) by David B — 27 Feb 2010

3: The film is of great interest to me on three fronts: first, because it shows what Wilder/Diamond could do sans production code; second, because it concerns Holmes and Watson; and third, because it is partially set in Inverness and Loch Ness in Scotland.

Having been to this area of Scotland, any film that is set there is naturally of greater interest to me. Having read every single Sherlock Holmes story of Conan Doyle, each screen adaptation or reimagining is inevitably very entertaining.

Having seen most of Wilder's films and being quite familiar with Hollywood pre-code, during the code, and post-code, comparing the three eras is always fascinating. There aren't that many directors of Wilder's stature that worked both during and after the code was in effect as well.

Holmes for has has and probably always will be Jeremy Brett, as he is the Holmes I grew up with. The cast here is quite good though. Wilder certainly broaches a great many subjects in a manner that wouldn't have been appropriate or acceptable while the code was in effect, but it seemed obvious to me that he was still operating to some degree within its confines.

I'm not sure if this is simply because it's what he was used to, or if he simply found the constraints somehwat freeing. The tongue in cheek manner and use of metaphor and allusion can make for far more interesting dialogue.

It adds a bit of class to the proceedings and makes the viewer feel like an insider and confidant when they get the joke. The story is compelling and an interesting departure, in minor respects, from most Holmes stories.

Quality picture through and through.