It is hard to believe that the great Christopher Lee, who put his stamp on nearly all things British cinema over his seventy-one year career (featuring a whopping 286 screen credits), only donned the tweed suit, frock-coat, and deerstalker hat once (all whilst smoking a pipe) for the silver screen (though he did also play the titular Sherlock Holmes in two television movies). Released in 1962 under the title Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace, just to make it all a little more confounding, this film was a West German, French, and Italian co-production shot mostly in Berlin (though some location shooting was done in Ireland and England). . . how in the world was Lee never cast in a British made production?
The other head scratcher here, and arguably the biggest flaw of the movie, is that the production team failed to use Christopher Lee’s voice in either the German or English tracks (instead dubbed by someone with a voice that pales in comparison), especially strange when you realize that the actor spoke flawless German as well. It is said that Lee was not pleased upon finding out that he had been dubbed. The only other issue is that Lee wore a fake nose for the character – and it stands out a bit too much.
Despite this, Lee is a rather impressive Holmes – his imposing height, along with portraying him as a rather difficult and quite argumentative man is very much in keeping with the original writings by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Paired with his loyal friend Dr. Watson, played by Thorley Walters, his vision is very much akin to Nigel Bruce’s iconic version of the doctor – always bumbling his way around and utterly impressed by every single manoeuver his much more deductive pal makes. It is worth noting that Walters would go on to play Watson three more times – each with a different actor playing Holmes (Peter Jeffrey, Douglas Wilmer, and Christopher Plummer).
Directed by Hammer regular Terence Fisher, and written by icon Curt Siodmak (who penned one of horrors greatest monsters – The Wolf Man), this mostly original tale (with just some small ties to “The Valley of Fear”) finds Holmes and Watson investigating the former’s longtime nemesis, Prof. Moriarty (Hans Söhnker), who seems to have the knack for finding ancient Egyptian antiquities at rock bottom prices. The snake oil salesman of sorts will bribe, blackmail, or murder to get what he wants. . . in this case, Cleopatra’s necklace stored in its original bejeweled case (one of the greatest artifacts ever recovered).
With Moriarty charming Inspector Cooper (Hans Nielsen) and others at Scotland Yard, it is up to Holmes to track and trap the mastermind outside of the purview of the police (in fact, they’ve given the great detective a warning to avoid Moriarty – as his record is clean). With people continuously ending up dead (including one of Holmes’ street spies) by way of similar handleless knives, this one is personal. . . and in Holmes’ eyes, it can only lead to Moriarty.
The utterly creative original French movie poster for Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace
A rich tale of crime, drama, and foremost mystery, Lee and Walters shine as the famed duo. With rich chemistry, they attempt to foil the evil mastermind, with Holmes frequently only armed with the London Times – a bit of a play on the pen is mightier than the sword (though I will say, there is quite the dart scene as well). Featuring a number of harrowing set pieces – including an estate murder mystery (check out the beautiful cinematography) and a high stakes robbery that includes vehicles delivering the Cleopatra necklace while people move through the sewers to steal it, there is definitely quite a bit of ambition throughout, while moments of levity only add to the piece. Moriarty’s wily booby traps must also be mentioned, for even Indiana Jones might struggle with some of them, if you catch my drift.
Though by no means the ultimate adventure for the great detective (there are definitely some flaws in the story – which was rewritten along the way), Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace is a worthwhile addition to the canon. It allows us to ask many a ‘what if?’ – including what could have been if Lee were cast in a higher budgeted Holmesian production in either the U.S. or U.K. And, despite losing his voice for another, there is no denying Lee embodies the role. Lastly, it is worth noting that there is a rather unique and somehow fitting jazz score written by Martin Slavin that backs this picture. So mistrust Moriarty, not this film, and bid on this mystery infused adventure, I bet you’ll enjoy it.
This film is in German with English subtitles, but can also be watched in dubbed English