Sir Charles Baskerville's sudden passing leaves the estate in the care of his nephew Sir Henry (Nikita Mihalkov, director of Burnt by the Sun). In light of suspicious circumstances surrounding his uncle's death, detectives Sherlock Holmes (Vasily Livonov) and Dr. Watson (Vitaly Solomin) are appointed to safeguard him. Holmes is exhorted by threatening letters to keep away, diverting the legendary detective. He follows leads in London while Watson accompanies Sir Henry to the Baskerville estate in Devonshire. Although tranquil in daytime, the countryside proves highly treacherous at night when the wind is drowned by the howling of an unseen beast. 

The Russian adaptations of Sherlock Holmes by legendary director Igor Maslenikkov are widely acclaimed as the finest adaptations of Conan Doyle's creation. For both scholars and fans, the definitive Holmes us Vasily Livonov, who received an OBE for his portrayal of the Victorian sleuth in the much loved Russian TV-series that has remained a perennial cult favourite for its wit, style and period detail. 

Underpinned by an incredible cast, the film stars internationally highly-rated actor/director Nikita Mikhlakov as Sir Henry Baskerville and the Russian movie legend Oleg Yankivsky as the villain Stapleton. They were hugely popular in Russia for their humurous reference to British customs and stereotypes.

"Sherlockians consider Vasily Livanov's portrayal of the Master to be one of the best on screen. Livanov was strongly supported by the late Vitaly Solomin as Watson...the best screen Watson ever." The Sherlock Holmes Society of London

Cast & Credits: Vasiliy Livanov / Vitali Solomin / Rina Zelyonaya / Irina Kupchenko / Nikita Mikhalkov / Alla Demidova / Svetlana Kryuchkova / Aleksandr Adabashyan / Borislav Brondukov / Sergei Martinson / Evgeniy Steblov / Directed - Igor Maslennikov / Music - Vladimir Dashkevich / Written by - Arthur Conan Doyle 

Technical: 1981 / Format: 2 x PAL Multi-Region Single Layer DVD5 / Audio: Russian / Subtitles: English / Picture: 4:3 / Colour / Sound: Dolby Digital Dual Mono / Running Time: 146 mins / Authored from DigiBeta / MRBDVD050

Licensed from Contemporary Films on behalf of Mosfilm.