Wonderful character development!

What makes it different from others?

Let's be realistic.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The only Sherlock Holmes film starring both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Peter Cushing is perfect in the role as Sherlock and it's an refreshing change to see Lee in the role of the secondary protagonist instead of the antagonist. The colour is richly made and can still hold up nowadays in quality, for a hammer horror film it is probably one of the better ones.. The use of tension is very well done and subtle, and the film can actually frighten you at times.The plot (whilst believable) is also very confusing at times and the pacing can be slow to continue in some places, noticeably the middle where I think they sidetrack the main plot line a bit. Overall the film is an excellent edition to the collection of any major Hammer film fans, notable for it being the only Sherlock Holmes film made by Hammer and one of their first films in Technicolor.

I've always enjoyed this story. The title alone sparks a degree of terror. As a teen I loved the Hammer films because they were color updates of the b/w classics I watched on late night TV. Directing on this version doesn't compare to the 1939 with Rathbone/Bruce. But the thing that always bothers me the most is the opening flashback sequence that seems to go from day to night with during the early chase. The party is obviously in the evening but chase scenes vary from partly cloudy skies to darkness as thunder continues to roll in the background. I call that crappy editing. Similar stupidity is founded in many Republic serials that actually feature better acting. Finally, I like Christopher Lee better as a vampire.

When a nobleman (Christopher Lee) is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes (Peter Cushing) is hired to investigate."Baskervilles" may be the most familiar Holmes story, and is almost certainly the one that has seen the most film adaptations. This one, however, from Hammer and starring Cushing and Lee, is often considered the finest. I have not seen all the versions, so I cannot definitively say this is correct... but I find it very hard to believe it has ever been beaten.Cushing is not physically what I expect of Holmes, but he has that deep, calculating look that works so well. He is a threat to anyone with a secret. Lee is, of course, perfectly cast as a nobleman. Even when he did not play such roles, he carried himself in just such a way.Unfortunately, as of 2016 the best way to see (and own) this film is on blu-ray from Twilight Time. They have packed the disc with extras, but because of their license they have only printed 3000 copies and are charging a steep price for them. Surely a wider release would be appropriate for this title?

Hammer Films intended, in this stylish and well-appointed remake of the 1939 Basil Rathbone classic, to begin a whole cycle of Sherlock Holmes movies. Unfortunately the box-office returns were slightly disappointing, probably due to the story being over-familiar than anything they did wrong; and while this remains the only Hammer Sherlock it's certainly one of their finest efforts.Peter Cushing was a natural for the part of Holmes, and here he is re-teamed with Christopher Lee for the 3rd time in a Hammer movie. Andre Morrell is a far superior Dr. Watson to Nigel Bruce's buffoonish turn, and the film beautifully captures the richly Gothic atmosphere of Conan Doyle's most famous story.Of course this being Hammer they introduced even more horror overtones than the story already has; David Oxley's Sir Hugo Baskerville is one of the nastiest aristocrats ever put on screen. In a splendid opening prologue concerning the legend of the hound we discover just WHY the Baskerville family is haunted by a curse, and Oxley plays it for all he is worth.Cushing is ably supported by the rest of the cast: from Francis De Wolff's splendidly arrogant Dr. Mortimer to John Le Mesurier's furtive Barrymore the acting is great. Another priceless turn by Miles Malleson as Bishop Frankland supplies the humour.But what really sticks in my mind is Jack Asher's wonderful cinematography and Bernard Robinson's cleverly constructed sets. Terence Fisher again directs with aplomb. I only wish the movie had been more successful so Hammer could have made follow-ups. Splendid stuff.