The Hound of the Baskerville (2002) - A Review

The 2002 BBC adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskerville stars Richard Roxburgh as Sherlock Holmes and Ian Hart as Watson. The movie begins with Sir Charles Baskerville being examined by Dr. Mortimer. He lies dead with his features devastatingly convulsed. The audience is therefore introduced to the aura of horror right away, very craftfully. The movie proceeds in a similar manner, staying true to the harrowing essence of the story. 
Richard Roxburgh fits into the description of Sherlock Holmes very well. He has successfully brought out the ingenious in Holmes through very simple, yet meaningful gestures. What I love about Roxburgh, is how natural he is, how effortlessly he has depicted the wit and sarcastic nature of Holmes. Ian Hart, playing Watson is just as good. We see a good deal of the film through his perspective and observation, during Holmes's absence. There is a remarkable sense of comradeship between Watson and Holmes in the movie. Roger Stapleton's name has been changed to Jack Stapleton. Richard E. Grant who plays this character deserves a special mention. The cruel, cold blooded, calm nature of his has been portrayed so well that a viewer, without even realising, begins to find him abhorrent and be fearful of him at the same time. On the downside, Sir Henry played by Matt Day, though as handsome as described in the book, is not as vivacious and American as he is in the novel, but rather stiff. 
















To add to the desolate and perfectly foggy setting of the movie at the moorlands in Devonshire, the background music strongly creates a very sinister and spooky feel. The suspense, sense of ambiguity and sheer horror is never lost. The Baskerville Hall lives up to the standard of the one we read about and dread. It reflects the Gothic architecture and waning away of an era.

However, what many fans of the novel might not like are the several alterations that have been made to original story. Some of the changes are rather disappointing and unnecessary. Arthur Frankland and his daughter, for example, have been given a miss.

All in all, the movie is a good watch. There is intelligence, details and mystery in abundance. The supernatural element of the story is vividly portrayed. For an audience of a time when most movies are made in 3D to evoke an adrenaline rush and create a thrilling experience, movies like this one is a breather. It is capable of scaring the  living daylights out of you and at the same time makes you relish the good old English charm.