Review of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) by Ad D — 14 Jun 2007

This is a stunning film and one of Wilder's best if least known. It is beautifully shot with one of the most memorable and haunting film scores I have ever heard to accompany the action that takes place. Regarded as an almost ?lost film? in certain areas of cinema and fandom, there are 2 missing plot strands and over an hour of footage missing form the cut that is now available. Which is a great shame that rivals the tragedy that befell Orson Welles?s ?The Magnificent Ambersons? butchered by the studios, with the end result left in tatters yet also tantalisingly close to perfection. The performances are superb too, especially from Robert Stephens as Sherlock Holmes.

It also contains two of my favourite Holmes/Watson exchanges from the screen-.

Watson: [the doorbell rings] Were you expecting someone?

Holmes: Not at this time of night.

Watson: Perhaps Mrs Hudson is entertaining.

Holmes: I've never found her so.

Watson: Holmes, I hope I'm not being presumptuous, but... there *have* been women in your life, haven't there?

Holmes: The answer is yes.

[Watson breathes a sigh of relief].

Holmes: You're being presumptuous. Good night.