The 1939 film that defined Sherlock Holmes for generations of cinema audiences

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When Twentieth Century-Fox released The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1939, the studio was so unsure of the detective's potential that they gave Basil Rathbone second billing. They were wrong. The film launched a legendary partnership between Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, creating the definitive screen portrayal of Holmes and Watson.

Directed by Sidney Lanfield, the 1939 adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic novel was a significant milestone in cinematic history. It marked the first time a Sherlock Holmes film was set in the Victorian era, as established in the original books, rather than being updated to a contemporary setting. This commitment to the source material's atmosphere helped ground the production, which was praised for its ability to sustain suspense until its climactic conclusion.

The plot follows the familiar mystery of the Baskerville estate, where a spectral hound is said to stalk the moors of Dartmoor, targeting the family's heirs. While the film remains faithful to the spirit of the novel, it introduces several notable changes. For instance, the butler's name was altered from Barrymore to Barryman, likely to avoid confusion with the famous theatrical family. Additionally, the film includes a séance scene not found in the book and omits characters such as Laura Lyons and Inspector Lestrade.

Despite the studio's initial hesitation—evidenced by Richard Greene receiving top billing over Rathbone—the film’s success was undeniable. It paved the way for more than a dozen subsequent films featuring the same duo. While some critics, such as Leslie Halliwell, noted a lack of pace, others like Pauline Kael lauded it as a gripping, handsome adaptation. Ultimately, the film cemented Rathbone and Bruce as the quintessential Holmes and Watson, a legacy that has endured through decades of critical acclaim and nominations from the American Film Institute.

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