Synopsis
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson meet as boys in an English Boarding school. Holmes is known for his deductive ability even as a youth, amazing his classmates with his abilities. When they discover a plot to murder a series of British business men by an Egyptian cult, they move to stop it.
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Cast
- Nicholas RoweSherlock Holmes
- Alan CoxJohn Watson
- Sophie WardElizabeth Hardy
- Anthony HigginsProfessor Rathe
- Susan FleetwoodMrs. Dribb
- Roger Ashton-GriffithsDet. Sgt. Lestrade
- Matthew RyanDudley's Friend
- Earl RhodesDudley
- Freddie JonesChester Cragwitch
- Patrick NewellBentley Booster
Recommendations
- 90
The New York Times
Not only the best movie to feature an Egyptian blowgun in several years, but also one of the few really stylish and entertaining American movies of 1985. - 89
Austin Chronicle
The more one knows about Holmes lore, the more the film's foreshadowings of future cases will be evident. Set in a boys boarding school, the film's imaginings about the life of the young detective are quite entertaining. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
The elaborate special effects also seem a little out of place in a Sherlock Holmes movie, although I'm willing to forgive them because they were fun. - 70
Time Out
While lacking the clarity and breathtaking speed which Spielberg brings to this type of material, it's agreeable enough entertainment. - 63
Chicago Tribune
The production is first-rate in all technical ways imaginable, but the villain that Holmes and Watson chase is not worth their intellect or time or ours. - 60
Empire
The young cast, which resembles a collection of Gerald Scarfe illustrations, acquits itself reasonably well, but is too ordinary to be heroic. And, once action is introduced into the mix, Barry Levinson's direction falters. - 60
IGN
Be sure to watch the film all the way through the end credits for a clever post-credit cookie (a rarity for this era). - 60
TV Guide Magazine
Whereas the first half of the movie concentrates nicely on the developing friendship between the young Holmes and Watson, the storm of roller-coaster thrills and Industrial Light and Magic special effects soon takes over, blowing the nicely drawn characters away.
