United Kingdom/USA 

 

One of the most entertaining and memorable film versions of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. In this one, Holmes checks himself in as a patient of Sigmund Freud's to cure his cocaine addiction at the prompting of his faithful friend Dr. Watson. No sooner does he arrive in Vienna, however, than a kidnapping occurs and Holmes's personal vacation becomes a business trip. Featuring exquisite period detail and a marvelous script by Nicholas Meyer, this is one of Herbert Ross's best films. Alan Arkin is terrific as Frued, Nicol Williamson a marvel as Holmes, and Robert Duvall practically steals the show as Watson. Also included in the cast are Laurence Olivier as the infamous Moriarty and Vanessa Redgrave as the kidnap victim. With a cast like this, what could go wrong? Makes the perfect viewing companion with 1988's Without A Clue or even the popular television series starring Jeremy Brett as the pipe-smoking detective.