Sherlock Holmes et la croix du sang

I agree that Charlton Heston wasn't the man for this role, I had "the advantage" of watching/having to watch the French version, as such I didn't have to listen to "American English English". On the other hand I found his disguises superb. The action and the "end game" both made the film well worth watching. There are many films where the "baddy" becomes obvious - this is not one of them!

Richard Johnson plays a believable John Watson. The Watson role is difficult to play in the sense that he is an educated man, so shouldn't appear stupid, just less capable of crime deduction. But we shouldn't forget that doctors are experts in deducing illnesses from the symptoms of their patients. Connie Booth is a lovely lady - a pleasure to see everything she's in!

Well made television movie based on the stage play by Paul Giovanni. (His play was based on the Doyle story "The Sign of Four.") Heston and Johnson make a fine Holmes and Watson and the direction by Fraser Heston, Charlton's son is well paced and timed for all the Sherlockians out there. Callow turns in a fine Inspector Lestrade.

My summary line is the start of a very well known Sherlock Holmes quote. On the other hand, it is something else too. But the movie will not have you guessing too much. It should be apparent what is going on. Still it is kinda fascinating, how Mr. Heston and the others do their job. But of course, you might have seen quite a few actors trying to be Holmes (Robert Downey being the latest).

Depending on your taste you might like this (not the first and not the last adaptation of this particular Holmes story). And even though there is even a moment, where it seems to break the fourth wall (talking about a comic relief of all things), it still kinda works. Nice entertainment then, but not the best out there ...

There's entirely too much cheerfulness, even in the plodding British atmosphere from director Heston (Charlton's son). The sets seem non-authentic and intrude into the setting. Charlton Heston is an excellent actor, but Holmes is not his best effort. Holmes, as portrayed here, is little more than a comic-book figure, laughing off his considerable talents and even his addictions. Richard Johnson, on the other hand, is a more-than-adequate Watson. Susannah Harker's acting is obvious, and it's actually Edward Fox who steals the show as Major Ross. The opening sequences are riveting, but soon the tale defoliates into typical TV fare. I'll stick with the fast-paced Rathbone outings, and Jeremy Brett's consummate performances.

This is a top-notch Victorian murder mystery with the great sleuth Sherlock Holmes (Charlton Heston) and well accompanied by his agreeable partner Doctor Watson (Richard Johnson) . While uncanny Sherlock Holmes and the ever-faithful Watson encounter into 221 Baker Street are visited by a beautiful young woman , Irene St. Claire (Susannah Harker) and they're hired to investigate . Irene asks help for her unfortunate daddy , a previous war veteran (John Castle), as he has turned into a hopeless opium addict , due to his direct result of guilt and fear. Holmes and Watson , the perfect counterpoint to Sherlock , are involved in killing , poison darts , a fortune in Indian jewels original from luxurious palace of Agra and much suspect behavior by strange characters . The strange clues lead some soldiers of the Great Indian Mutiny, from the siege of Agra in 1857 . This is one mystery that it Not elementary, my dear Watson...

The film packs suspense , intrigue , unanswered mysteries , thrills and excellent set decoration . This is a good Holmes mystery with gripping London setting and including first-range nasties . One of the most charming Holmes television pictures and long runtime . The film is packed with suspense intensified by a theft of a maharajah's treasure, greed , drug dependence , a bloody pact of secrecy , thrills , good performances and evocative scenarios . It is a bit slow-moving and a little boring because being mostly set in interiors and only a few characters . Well cast by notable actors , as Charlton Heston and Richard Johnson's tour-de-force acting. Being supported by good players as Susannah Harker , Edward Fox, John Castle, Simon Callow as Lestrade , Clive Wood , James Coyle . Charlton Heston ¨Chuck¨ as Holmes plays in a clever , broody and impetuous manner , he gives an aristocratic finely modulated voice . Nevertheless , the best TV Holmes , was Jeremy Brett , along with Peter Cushing who starred the series in the 60s and in 1984 played ¨Sherlock Holmes and the masks of death¨. Brett , Cushing in TV and Basil Rathbone in the cinema are the history's best Holmes . Jeremy Brett achieved fame and fortune with ¨ Adventures of Holmes , The Return , The Case-Book and Memories Sherlock Holmes¨ series and four long time films . This story was nicely adapted and professionally directed by Fraser C. Heston . The movie is produced by Peter Snell, Charlton Heston's usual producer who financed the three films he directed as ¨ A man for all seasons¨ and ¨Marco Antonio y Cleopatra¨. Furthermore, he produced him the motion pictures who directed his son, Frazer Clarke Heston and starred Heston as ¨ Island of treasure¨ and ¨The crucifer of blood¨ and ¨Mother lode¨who's the worst film directed by Fraser Heston . Rating : Acceptable and entertaining. See this flick if only to enjoy the lush Victorian backdrop . It is only for Charlton Heston Heston fans and Sherlock Holmes followers . Both of whom series' ordinaries . Rating : Better than average , 6.5/10 . Well worth watching .

Other adaptations about this Arthur Conan Doyle's novel : The Sign of Four are the following ones : ¨Sing of Four¨ (1968) by William Sterling with Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock from Sherlock Holmes Tv series . ¨The Sign of Four¨ realized by Desmond Davis (1984) with Ian Richardson .1987 TV Movie with Jeremy Brett , Edward Hardwicke . Another rendition filmed by Rodney Gibbons (2001) with Matt Frewer and this Sui Generis version by Fraser C. Heston titled ¨Crucifer of blood¨ by Fraser Heston and played by his father Charlton Heston as Holmes.