Sherlock Holmes

Long thought missing, this early film version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective series is a key to understanding the cinematic representation of Sherlock Holmes.

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Director Arthur Berthelet

Screenwriter HS Sheldon

With William Gillette, Ernest Maupain, Marjorie Kay, Edward Fielding

USA 1916

116 mins

News that a long sought-after Sherlock Holmes film had been found caused a sensation amongst fans of the great detective. It was based on the popular play by William Gillette and links film representations back to this key stage work in the Holmesian canon. Gillette made a unique contribution to our image of how Holmes looks and to the development of the character of Moriarty. Gillette’s performance is the key thing to watch out for here. And for Chaplin fans, there is a chance to see the character of Billy in action, which he played on stage back in 1903. Beautifully restored and tinted by Rob Byrne of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival this is a must see for all Sherlock fans.

Bryony Dixon

This film was found in the collection of La Cinémathèque Française in 2014. It has been restored by La Cinémathèque Française and San Francisco Silent Film Festival & Film Preservation Society. Live accompaniment: Neil Brand (piano), Günter Buchwald (violin) and Jeff Davenport (percussion and sound effects), playing a semi-improvised score based on melodies by Neil Brand and originally commissioned for La Cinémathèque Française.

+ A Canine Sherlock Holmes

Director Stuart Kinder

UK 1912

14 mins

Archive Loans EYE Filmmuseum

A Holmes-themed short film to accompany the restored, long thought missing silent detective drama.

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