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Amidst the darkness and swirling mists of the ominous English moors, an ancient family legend is reborn. Sir Charles Baskervilles is found dead outside his hunting lodge and the coroner has determined that congestive heart failure was the cause. Several weeks later, his good friend and neighbor Dr. Mortimer (Gordon Masten) sheepishly seeks the investigative assistance of Sherlock Holmes (Matt Frewer) and his sidekick Watson (Kenneth Welsh). Huge canine prints found beside the body as well as the frequent sounds of eerie howling has the community spooked. In strict confidence, hoping to maintain his reputation, the doctor relates the story of the curse of the Baskervilles.

Centuries ago, the wicked and cruel Sir Hugo Baskervilles craved the pious daughter of one of his tenants. The drunken landlord kidnapped her, but was soon enraged by the maiden's escape. In his wrath Hugo swore an oath with the devil, but instead of the young girls return, the vow resulted in his own death by the jaws of a "hound from hell."

Has this beast from the underworld returned to wreck havoc on the descendants of the ill-fated family? Is there a connection to another death/murder near the same area, or are the locals just crying wolf?

Holmes is obviously skeptical of such fairy tales, but nevertheless sends Watson to the foreboding mansion to investigate and protect the last heir of the Baskervilles line, the young and handsome Sir Henry (Jason London), who is visiting from Canada just long enough to settle the estate.

While there are only a few brief graphic scenes that may be a cause of concern for parents with young children (one depicts a vicious black dog with red glowing eyes tugging at a bloodied corpse's neck), the rest of the movie focuses on storytelling. References to the occult or supernatural are condescendingly dismissed by Holmes as silly fables from locals who do not have all their facts straight.

Filled with suspense, surprises, and plot twists, most families will enjoy sinking their teeth into this splendid but not too scary Sherlock Holmes tale of mystery and adventure.

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Legends and folk tales have been created by every culture. Some even serve a useful purpose. For example, the Inuit of Canada's north keep their youngsters safe from danger by telling the story of Qallupilluq, a troll like creature that grabs children when they come too close to cracks in the sea ice. What are the fables of your forefathers?

Sherlock Holmes is the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. To learn more about this fictitious sleuth, www.sherlockian.net provides answers to every conceivable question through links to numerous sources of information. You can also visit the famous residence turned museum at www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk.

Looking for another whodunit? Try Rear Window.

Melanie Law

©2001 One Voice Communications. All Rights Reserved

Making The Grades...

Overall: B
Sherlock Holmes and Watson investigate the reality of a "demon dog" that haunts the Baskervilles family. A few brief frightening scenes (with minimal blood) may be disturbing for young children, but the rest of the family will enjoy being a little spooked by The Hound Of The Baskervilles.

Violence: C
Girl kidnapped by men on horseback. Vicious dog snarls and growls numerous times (shown biting dead man's neck in one scene). Several characters carry handguns. Death of two school children discussed. Character struck with crow bar then characters wrestle. Dog attacks characters on two occasions. Man and dog fall off cliff. Dog shot at. Dog and man fall into bog.

Sexual Content: B
Man imprisons girl for intended sexual purposes. Reference made to former extramarital affair.

Language: B
At least: 2 mild profanities and 6 terms of Deity used as expletives.

Alcohol / Drug Use: C
Characters frequently smoke pipes and cigars. Drunken men depicted. Characters drink alcohol at meals and social occasions.

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