The Masks of Death (1984)

Country of Origin: UK
Date(s) of Broadcast: 1984
Number of Seasons: N/A
Total Number of Episodes: 1
Average Episode Running Times: 72 mins
Format: colour 35mm
Ratio: 1.33:1
Sound: mono

CREDITS

SCRIPT
Script: N.J. Crisp
Story: John Elder (real name: Anthony Hinds)

DIRECTION
Director: Roy Ward Baker
Assistant Director: Brian Lawrence

EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION
Editor: Chris Barnes

MUSIC
Music: Malcolm Williamson

SOUND
Sound Maintenance: Jonathan Andrews

MAKE UP AND COSTUMES
Make Up: Roy Ashton, Ernest Gasser
Hair: Mary Sturgess
Costume Designer: Anthony Mendleson

DESIGN AND SET CONSTRUCTION
Art Director: Geoffrey Tozer

CAST
Peter Cushing (Sherlock Holmes)
John Mills (Dr John H. Watson)
Anne Baxter (Irene Adler / Mrs Norton)
Ray Milland (Home Secretary)
Anton Diffring (Graf Udo Von Felseck of Purbridge Manor)
Gordon Jackson (Inspector Alec MacDonald)
Anton Gilbert (Anton Von Felseck)
Susan Penhaligon (Miss Derwent)
Marcus Gilbert (Anton Von Felseck)
Jenny Laird (Mrs Hudson)
Russell Hunter (Alfred Coombs)
James Cossins (Frederick Bains)
Eric Dodson (Lord Claremont)
Georgina Coombs (Lady Cynthia Claremont)
James Head (Von Felseck's chauffeur)
Dominic Murphy (boot boy at Purbridge Manor)

PLOT SUMMARY

Sherlock Holmes is tempted out of retirement to solve a series of mysterious murders where there appear to be no clues as to who committed the crime or why. Meanwhile, Graf Udo Von Felseck approaches the Great Detective with another challenge - to find a missing young prince and prevent war between Germany and England. Are the two cases connected, and is Von Felseck all that he seems?

CAPSULE REVIEW

Very much an old man's film in both film makers and cast. Enjoyable yarn and a genuine mystery that will intrigue. Cushing once again makes a superb Holmes and is especially moving in a short interchange with Mills. Decent period atmosphere set before WW1.

USA
Video Distributors: Lorimar Home Video; Warner Home Video
Laserdisc Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc

Norway
Rating: 15

ALTERNATIVE TITLES

La maschera della morte - Italian title
Les masques de la mort - French title
Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death
Sherlock Holmes y la máscara de la muerte - Spanish title

KEYWORDS

detectives, kidnapping, london, private detectives, sherlock holmes, trains