Young Sherlock Holmes [Blu-ray]

Director: Barry Levinson Barry Levinson

Overview

Also released under the title Young Sherlock Holmes and the Pyramid of Fear, this film follows the adventures of young John Watson (Alan Cox) when he is shipped off to boarding school and meets up with the brilliantly bizarre Sherlock Holmes (Nicolas Rowe). The two boys strike up a friendship and promptly become involved in the investigation of a number of mysterious murders. When their curiosity gets them into trouble with a dangerous religious cult, Watson and Holmes must struggle to avoid capture while attempting to notify the authorities.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/27/2023
UPC:	0191329252376
Original Release:	1985
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Paramount
Language:	English
Time:	1:48:00
Sales rank:	12,890

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Nicholas Rowe	Sherlock Holmes,Sherlock Holmes
Alan Cox	John Watson
Sophie Ward	Elizabeth Hardy
Anthony Higgins	Rathe
Susan Fleetwood	Sra. Dribb
Freddie Jones	Cragwitch
Nigel Stock	Waxflatter
Roger Ashton-Griffiths	Lestrade
Earl Rhodes	Dudley
Brian Oulton	Master Snelgrove
Patrick Newell	Bobster
Donald Eccles	Rev. Nesbitt
Matthew Ryan	Dudley's Friend
Matthew Blaksted	Dudley's Friend
Jonathan Lacey	Dudley's Friend
Walter Sparrow	Ethan Engle
Nadim Sawalha	Egyptian Tavern Owner
Roger Brierley	Mr. Holmes
Vivienne Chandler	Mrs. Holmes
Lockwood West	Curio Shop Owner
John Scott Martin	Cemetery Caretaker
George Malpas	School Porter
Willoughby Goddard	School Reverend
Michael Cule	Policeman with Lestrade
Ralph Tabakin	Policeman in Shop Window
Nancy Nevinson	Hotel Receptionist
Michael Hordern	Older Watson
Bruce Broughton	Composer

Technical Credits

Chris Columbus

Arthur Conan Doyle

Barry Levinson	Director
Chris Columbus	Screenwriter
Marc Boyle	Stunts
Mark Johnson	Producer
Kathleen Kennedy	Executive Producer,Producer
Frank Marshall	Executive Producer,Producer
Dennis Muren	Special Effects
Steven Spielberg	Executive Producer,Producer
Kit West	Special Effects
Henry Winkler	Producer
George H. Anderson	Sound Effects
Michael J. Benavente	Sound Effects
Pamela Bentkowski	Sound Effects
Michael C. Casper	Sound Effects
Arthur Conan Doyle	Screenwriter
Roger Birnbaum	Producer
Harry Benn	Producer
Ned Gorman	Special Effects
Pamela Marcotte	Special Effects
John Baker	Special Effects
Jeff Clifford	Special Effects
Terence J. Cox	Special Effects
Rodney Fuller	Special Effects
Trevor Wood	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

One part Sherlock Holmes and one part Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Barry Levinson's odd film gets both elements right, but fails to combine them in an interesting way. The first half of the film, detailing the introduction of the young Holmes and Watson, contains smart, atmospheric work that manages to entertain children and adults while staying as true as possible to these beloved fictional characters. Nicolas Rowe is as good a Holmes as any. He has dark, soulful eyes that betray the pain of a tortured soul. One can easily imagine him growing up to be the drug-addicted genius Doyle created. Alan Cox is a pleasure as the chubby, bespectacled Watson. He gets the best scene in the film when, after being shot with a strong hallucinogenic, the sweet-toothed Watson is attacked by a vicious group of pastries (the sequence is both scary and funny). The second half of the film turns into a Spielberg-like action film. While the effects are superb and the action is well directed, these scenes feel out of place after the witty, well-acted beginning of the film. Young Sherlock Holmes is fascinating entertainment that seems to lack enough faith in either itself or its intended audience to see its entertaining premise fully to the end. Baker Street Irregulars who stay through the credits will be rewarded with a wonderful little twist.

All Movie Guide - Perry Seibert