Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace Blu-ray Review

Severin Films delivers an exceptionally crisp transfer for "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" on Blu-ray, featuring an AVC encoded 1080p presentation in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Scanned in 2K from the original German negative, the movie benefits from a meticulous restoration, enhancing fine details with remarkable clarity. The meticulous detail reveals fascinating textural facets, such as the fabrics of the characters' attire and even the putty and powder on Christopher Lee’s nose, indicative of the film's production quirks. The fine detail and texture are hallmarks of a skillful restoration that preserves the authentic film grain without any hint of obtrusive digital noise reduction.

The 1962 black-and-white cinematography shines through with perfect contrast and immaculate black levels, offering a depth that elevates the viewing experience well above previous DVD versions. The BD-50 disc distributes the 85-minute feature generously, ensuring an uncompressed and artifact-free presentation. Notably, the grain structure appears film-like and resolved, free from disruptive filtering or digital artifacts, showcasing the film’s elements in almost pristine condition. With excellent texture reproduction and generous contrast, this Blu-ray presentation of "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" is a significant technical upgrade that preserves the movie’s cinematic integrity while offering a visually pristine viewing experience for contemporary audiences.

The audio presentation of "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" on Blu-ray presents some intriguing choices for viewers. Available in both German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono, the quality varies significantly between the two tracks. While logically one might lean towards the English dub, which features a standard British voice cast, that decision comes with its downsides. The English track is notably thinner, with boxy dialogue and a lack of energy, making it less satisfying despite its linguistic familiarity. Interestingly, the two tracks sometimes feature different background music, adding another layer of complexity to the viewing experience.

Severin Films’ release showcases the technical constraints of the era, where audio was typically recorded post-production. This is evident in the performances; despite capable delivery, the dubbing does not quite hit the mark in terms of synchrony and dynamism. On the German DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track, though hearing Christopher Lee in German can be initially disconcerting, the fuller and slightly more refined audio could provide a more immersive experience. The film’s score, while integral, does not stand out and may even be considered a weak link in the audio craftsmanship.

For accessibility, optional English subtitles are provided for both the German and English language versions, with the English SDH subtitles available for the English dub specifically. These subtitles appear in a white font, ensuring readability against varying backgrounds. Ultimately, while both audio tracks have their caveats, selecting between them depends largely on whether one prioritizes higher fidelity and fuller sound or linguistic ease.

The extras on the Blu-Ray of "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" offer a comprehensive and engaging deep dive into this cult film and its director, Terence Fisher. The Audio Commentary with Film Writers Kim Newman & Barry Forshaw provides an insightful and conversational exploration of the film, adding layers of context and history that will delight aficionados. Tony Dalton Interviews Terence Fisher is an archival audio piece with occasional fidelity issues, yet remains a fascinating retrospective experience enhanced by historical stills and film snippets. Tony Dalton on Terence Fisher is a pandemic-era Zoom interview where Dalton offers a vivid remembrance of Fisher's career. Lastly, the Trailer is presented in HD with German audio and English subtitles, rounding out the extras with a nostalgic preview.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary with Kim Newman & Barry Forshaw: Insightful discussion of the film.
• Tony Dalton Interviews Terence Fisher: Archival audio interview with historical stills.
• Tony Dalton on Terence Fisher: Vivid Zoom-based interview on Fisher’s career.
• Trailer: Original HD trailer with German audio and English subtitles.

"Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" is a curious entry in the cinematic annals of Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective, primarily due to Christopher Lee's distinctive portrayal of Holmes. Coming off the heels of Hammer's successful "The Hound of the Baskervilles," this film was directed by Terence Fisher but without Hammer's direct involvement. Curt Siodmak's screenplay loosely draws from Doyle's "Valley of Fear" and pivots the focus onto Moriarty, though diverging significantly from the source material. German actor Hans Söhnker's Moriarty, rather than being a criminal mastermind, is presented more as a mustache-twirling villain, adding an almost comedic layer to the narrative. While Lee embodies Holmes with a nuanced performance, portraying him as insensitive yet sharp, the English version is regrettably dubbed without using its stars' actual voices, which slightly detracts from its authenticity.

Shot as a European co-production primarily in Berlin, the film features Thorley Walters as Dr. Watson in the Nigel Bruce mold, effectively supporting Lee’s Holmes. Despite some unfortunate makeup choices and choppy plotting, the film delivers the classic trappings expected of a Sherlock Holmes story—deerstalker hat and all. However, it leans towards a more benign interpretation of Holmes' adventures, lacking the intricate mystery and intellectual duel present in stronger adaptations. Moriarty's characterization comes across as more of a greedy opportunist than a true intellectual adversary.

For Christopher Lee devotees, "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" offers an opportunity to witness his rare portrayal of Holmes. While the film does showcase Lee’s flair and has moments that anticipate more modern interpretations of Holmes, such as Benedict Cumberbatch's BBC portrayal, it remains a middling adaptation. The lack of Lee’s own voice in the dubbed version and an uninspired screenplay render the movie a lesser entry compared to canonical classics like those featuring Basil Rathbone. Notwithstanding its flaws, it remains a noteworthy inclusion for collectors of Lee’s extensive and varied filmography.

"Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" reunites Christopher Lee and director Terence Fisher outside of their Hammer collaborations for a peculiar yet moderately engaging take on the legendary detective. Kim Newman and Barry Forshaw highlight several notable issues with the film, especially the disappointing decision to feature an English dub without utilizing the authentic voices of its leading English-speaking actors. Despite these drawbacks, Lee's formidable, almost comedic, physical presence as Holmes stands out, although his simplistic disguises often strain believability.

The focus on Moriarty offers an intriguing twist, providing a fresh angle in the well-trodden Sherlock Holmes narrative. Even though the film strays from delivering a complete portrayal of Holmes due to Lee’s dubbed performance, there are commendable technical merits in the Blu-ray presentation. The visual clarity and audio fidelity are excellent, ensuring an immersive viewing experience, while the supplementary package enriches the understanding and appreciation of this mid-tier adaptation.

In conclusion, while "Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace" may not reach the heights expected from the collaboration of Lee and Fisher, it remains a respectable addition to any Sherlock Holmes collection. Its technical execution and engaging supplementary materials make it worthy of recommendation, particularly for those intrigued by unconventional interpretations of the classic detective tale.