PBS Masterpiece Theatre's 2003 summary of the film: This chilling, star-studded adaptation of Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle's tour de force presents Holmes and Watson as the author originally conceived them: vigorous men in their mid-30s, and the film has a relentless pace to match.
Richard Roxburgh (the Duke in the Oscar®-winning
Moulin Rouge! (2001)) stars as the mercurial Holmes with
Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell in
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)) as the contemplative Dr. Watson. The film also features
John Nettles as local physician Mortimer,
Matt Day as Sir Henry Baskerville,
Richard E. Grant (
Gosford Park (2001)) as the archaeologist Stapleton and
Neve McIntosh (
Gormenghast (2000)) as Miss Stapleton. The hell-hound itself, a truly terrifying beast, is brought to life as never before with state-of-the-art, computer-generated special effects.