1984's "Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death" was a labor of love for Tyburn producer Kevin Francis (son of director Freddie Francis), offering Peter Cushing the irresistible opportunity to reprise his favorite role of Sherlock Holmes in an elderly, retired capacity, much like the actor himself, this being his penultimate screen performance (only a supporting role in "Biggles" still lay ahead). As a final reunion of old friends, Doctor Watson is played by Sir John Mills, previous Cushing costar in 1954's "The End of the Affair" and 1975's "Trial by Combat," whose encouragement inspired Cushing to complete his memoirs for eventual publication (not one but two volumes resulted). An added bonus is seeing a bevy of great talent in smaller roles, all of whom would pass on by 1990: Anne Baxter ("All About Eve") as Irene Adler, the only woman to confound the implacable detective; Gordon Jackson (from Hammer's "The Quatermass Xperiment") as Scotland Yard investigator Alec MacDonald, Anton Diffring, longtime German villain who replaced Cushing in Hammer's "The Man Who Could Cheat Death," and the legendary Ray Milland in a rare appearance on British television. Directing was Roy Ward Baker, who returned to Britain after spending years in Hollywood, to work for both Hammer ("Quatermass and the Pit," "The Vampire Lovers," "Scars of Dracula") and Amicus ("Asylum," "The Vault of Horror," "-- And Now the Screaming Starts!"), from a script by Anthony Hinds, under his usual pseudonym John Elder. Watson narrates a story set in 1913 that held international importance, several corpses discovered near the waterfront with their faces locked in an image of abject horror, Holmes called back from Sussex retirement by MacDonald to investigate before the Home Secretary (Ray Milland) intervenes to reveal a kidnapping plot involving the disappearance of a young German diplomat. This new case finds Holmes and Watson visiting the country estate of Diffring's Graf Udo von Felseck, where Irene Adler is also a guest, and various death traps await the still fully active detective. It is truly endearing to hear the great Sherlock Holmes acknowledge his abiding relationship with the diligent doctor before the journey begins: "you are my only friend Watson, you have such a great gift of silence." This is among the most respectful depictions of Watson as can be imagined, certainly on par with Andre Morell's magnificent portrayal opposite Cushing in Hammer's "The Hound of the Baskervilles," and watching good friends work together in real life and reel life can only be a blessing for viewers familiar with their varied careers. Surrounded by such a formidable cast, it remains a triumph for an understandably nervous Peter Cushing, fearing that at age 71 he might not be up to the task of delivering a performance up to his usual high standards, he need not have worried; the only sad footnote is that a sequel titled "The Abbot's Cry" would never be produced, replaced by a happy documentary that would bring everything full circle in 1989, "Peter Cushing: A One Way Ticket to Hollywood."
Sherlock Holmes and the Masks of Death
(1984 TV Movie)
Peter Cushing's delightful return to Holmesian form
27 December 2022