The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes Blu-ray Review

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" is plagued by significant wear and tear, including damage, debris, harsh reel changes, flicker, and judder. The cinematography's inherent softness and fog effects further complicate achieving HD sharpness, rendering such clarity a rare occurrence. Colors appear muted, offering a struggle to highlight the vivid costumes and period interiors intended by director Billy Wilder. Although the grain remains untouched and filmic, it can be chunky with intermittent noise. Black levels are mostly adequate with some crushing instances, but the film doesn’t emphasize crispness or precise definition.

This late '60s to early '70s production appears particularly anemic, with a restoration sorely needed to revitalize its visuals. While clarity exists, the contrast is weak, leaving a washed-out appearance over the film. Present grain is moderate but the source material shows significant age-related wear, such as specks, marks, blotches, and reel-change markers. Colors remain drab, black levels are less than rich and whites do not achieve the desired crispness. However, scenes depicting the Scottish countryside stand out for their lush rendering, a stark contrast to the generally lackluster visual experience. Shadow delineation performs decently, background elements are well-integrated, fleshtones stay relatively true, and close-ups maintain reasonably sharp focus. With comprehensive restorative efforts, this film holds the potential for magnificent high-definition presentation, though it currently remains visually frustrating.

The 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio track on the Blu-ray release of "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" delivers a solid audio experience that emphasizes the dialogue, ensuring each word remains clear and comprehensible. While the soundscape isn't particularly immersive, it provides a fairly stable and distortion-free presentation. Age-related imperfections like hiss and pops are minimal, allowing viewers to focus without unnecessary distractions. The track, though not outstanding, maintains a satisfactory balance throughout, ensuring neither overly excitable distortions nor glaring deficiencies in sound quality.

Miklos Rosza's score benefits significantly from this DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix, boasting a robust and full-bodied presence that captures the dynamic highs and lows with impressive clarity. The score's instrumentation is accurately rendered, presenting a frontal force that enriches the dramatic aspects of the film. Atmospherics, while present and clear, do not elevate to remarkable levels but adequately serve their purpose in recreating outdoor and city environments. Overall, the audio mix stands as a competent companion to the visual presentation, upholding the primary sonic goals of clarity and robustness without unnecessary embellishments or significant drawbacks.

The extras on the Blu Ray of "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" provide a comprehensive and fascinating exploration of the film’s complex production history, featuring notable interviews and lost footage restorations. The key highlight is a featurette with Christopher Lee, reflecting on his experience and insights into the Holmes legacy, although the audio is slightly out of sync. An engaging interview with editor Ernest Walter offers an in-depth look at the extensive edits and the film’s tumultuous reception. The deleted scenes compilation attempts to recreate lost footage, bringing valuable context to Billy Wilder’s original vision. Additionally, an audio-only deleted epilogue and the theatrical trailer round out this robust supplemental package.

Extras included in this disc:

Featurette: Christopher Lee: Mr. Holmes, Mr. Wilder: Lee discusses his role and experiences with Wilder. Interview with Ernest Walter: Insights from the film’s editor about significant cuts and challenges. Deleted Scenes: Reconstructed scenes offering a glimpse into Wilder’s intended narrative. Deleted Epilogue Scene: Audio of the original bittersweet ending. Theatrical Trailer: The original preview that effectively promotes the film.

Billy Wilder's "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" offers a fascinating and unconventional exploration of Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic detective. Merging traditional Holmes-style mystery with Wilder's signature wit and character-driven exploration, the film highlights the complexities within Holmes's relationships and personal struggles. The movie delves into the less-celebrated aspects of Holmes’s persona, from his cocaine habit to his vulnerable side, without straying from the charm and razor-sharp deductions that define the character. Robert Stephens delivers a nuanced Holmes, portraying both his vulnerabilities and his intellectual prowess, while Colin Blakely's Dr. Watson provides a balance of humor and loyalty, avoiding the buffoonery seen in earlier adaptations.

The film is divided into two main storylines: the first, revolving around a ballerina's peculiar request, introduces eccentric and even controversial elements, including a moment that playfully addresses Holmes's sexuality. The second storyline plunges Holmes and Watson into a complex case involving an amnesiac woman searching for her husband, leading them through a series of bizarre clues and ultimately to Scotland. It's in these intertwining stories that Wilder and screenwriter I.A.L. Diamond truly shine, offering rich, engaging dialogue and an intriguing mystery steeped in Victorian atmosphere. Despite facing significant cuts enforced by the studio, which truncated the film's original ambitious scope, the remaining content retains Wilder’s distinctive elegance and thematic depth.

Though some viewers might find the pacing leisurely and occasionally overindulgent, "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" remains a testament to Wilder's craftsmanship. The fusion of sharp detective work with introspective character moments creates a uniquely engaging cinematic experience. The intricately plotted mysteries and exceptional performances provide ample pleasures, even as the film hints at what more could have been achieved without studio interference. For those willing to immerse themselves in a slightly offbeat take on Holmes, this film offers ample rewards amid its narrative detours and stylistic flourishes.

Billy Wilder’s "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" presents a witty and charming take on the iconic detective, interwoven with a dark streak that makes it one of the more intriguing adaptations available. The film is underpinned by the compelling performances of Robert Stephens as Holmes and Colin Blakely as Watson. Both actors bring a unique interpretation to their roles, expertly balancing brilliance and doubt that vividly captures the essence of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters. Despite not having the opportunity for a sequel, Stephens and Blakely's portrayal makes this Holmes and Watson pairing memorable.

The film, however, does bear the scars of studio interference and substantial editing. These factors contribute to a somewhat rambling and uneven narrative, yet the movie remains engaging due to Wilder's characteristic wit and artistic flair. It delves into the more personal aspects of Holmes' character, providing a deeper examination of his personality and vulnerabilities than typically seen in other adaptations. The twists and turns in the narrative, combined with a talented European cast, ensure that there is enough interest to sustain viewer engagement throughout its runtime.

Kino’s Blu-ray presentation, while valuable for its supplementary content offering insights into the film's production history, is marred by an underwhelming video transfer that highlights the film’s aging elements. Despite these technical shortcomings, the supplementary materials provide necessary context and enrich the viewing experience. As such, this release may be particularly appealing to Wilder aficionados and Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" is witty and charming with a dark streak that's inviting, emerging as one of the better Holmes adaptations around. Credit Wilder and Diamond's affection for the character, but also performances from Stephens and Blakely, who are perfectly in sync as the idiosyncratic twosome, playing up brilliance and doubt with equal aplomb. It's a shame the pair never received a chance to reprise their roles for a sequel, as it seems clear that with a shot of cinematic hindsight, the production might've found an even grander quest for the pair, deepening appreciation for their unique partnership.