The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Treasures of Agra

The Agra Treasure is a faithful adaption of one of four Conan Doyle novels featuring Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of the Four. Miss Mary Morstan comes to see Holmes and Watson and tells them a strange story. Ten years previously her father, who had just returned to England after years of service in India, disappeared. Four years after his disappearance, she began receiving an annual package containing a valuable pearl. Holmes and Watson (who is quite smitten with Miss Morstan) agree to help her. They meet with Thadeus Sholto, the son of Major Sholto who had served with Morstan in India. Thadeus relates to them a tale of how Morstan and his father brought to England from India a magnificent treasure of which only a string of pearls had been found until recently. Holmes and Watson are soon on the trail of both the treasure and a murderer. Interestingly, the storyline is interrupted by a flashback account of the story 'A Scandal in Bohemia' in which Holmes meets Irene Adler, a woman who thereafter Holmes would refer to as The Woman. This story within the story is the best part of the movie. The movie has much to recommend it: the production values, the music, the sometimes eerie atmosphere, the well developed characters and the odd plot. It is faithful to the book and to the times, including Holmes' unattractive and tiresome misogyny. Linanov as Holmes and Solomin as Watson were very good in their roles. Livanov did not look as I picture Holmes' looking (nor as illustrator Sidney Paget depicted him); he was older, heavier, and shorter. However, his demeanor, body language and air of confidence and coolness were right on target. A highly recommended movie that is well worth watching more than once.