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Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

Play trailer Poster for Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror Released Sep 18, 1942 1h 5m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In wartime England, cryptic radio broadcasts from Nazi Germany are spreading panic throughout the region. Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his devoted assistant, Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), are summoned by British intelligence to find the source of the mysterious "Voice of Terror." A slain informant's tip sends Holmes to London's grimy Limehouse district. There the stalwart sleuth gains the trust of the informant's wife, Kitty (Evelyn Ankers), and evades capture by a Nazi spy.
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Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

Critics Reviews

View All (3) Critics Reviews
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This is the first entry in Universal's modernized version of the Sherlock Holmes series. Rated: B- Dec 31, 2009 Full Review Phil Hall IdentityTheory John Rawlins, normally a minor director, did a smashing job in framing the story with moody noir-style cinematography. Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 21, 2009 Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies It almost completely lacks the moody atmosphere and tight pacing of the previous two films. Rated: 2/5 May 2, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jelisije J Considering that England was at war with one of the greatest evil in human history when this movie was filmed, it really adds inspirational layers to this decent Sherlock Holmes film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/21/23 Full Review Frances H Although purists might look down their noses at these wartime propaganda outings for Doyle's great detective, putting Sherlock in other times and places has been successfully done in our own century with Benedict Cumberbatch. Although the 40s films with Rathbone and Bruce are not quite so well done as their films in the original time period of Doyle, they are still full of plot twists enough to keep the audience puzzling. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/22 Full Review Audience Member good mystery suspenser Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce battle Nazis in the first of the "modern day" Sherlock Holmes adventures. Director John Rawlins lends the typical formula (many suspects, but one true and surprising villain) a distinct noir look with lots of shadows and some down-and-out London locales. Fortunately, the comedy is downplayed - but its absence is filled by patriotic fervor, designed to rally the troops in support of embattled Britain (at the end there is an ad for war bonds). For those who like these kind of genre pics, this is a good 'un. Plot: a radio announcement from the Nazis is delivered at the very moment that acts of sabotage occur but no one can figure out the source or stop the next terrorizing attack. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member Basil Rathbone is fantastic as Holmes in this, the first modernised version of the famous detective's exploits. Great noirish cinematography and wartime ambiance. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member The mysterious voice on the radio announces a series of gruesome and violent attacks on some of the most powerful places on the British Islands. There is no one better to discover who's behind the whole conspiracy than the bright and handsome Sherlock Holmes. Although the noir-like cinematography is mesmerizing, the plot isn't as engaging as one might hope it would be. Nevertheless, It's remarkable that in only 65 minutes John Rawlins was able to present such a complex story about betrayal and sabotage in the times of World War II. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

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Movie Info

Synopsis In wartime England, cryptic radio broadcasts from Nazi Germany are spreading panic throughout the region. Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and his devoted assistant, Dr. Watson (Nigel Bruce), are summoned by British intelligence to find the source of the mysterious "Voice of Terror." A slain informant's tip sends Holmes to London's grimy Limehouse district. There the stalwart sleuth gains the trust of the informant's wife, Kitty (Evelyn Ankers), and evades capture by a Nazi spy.
Director
John Rawlins
Producer
Howard Benedict
Screenwriter
Lynn Riggs, John Bright
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 18, 1942, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 3, 2019
Runtime
1h 5m
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