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The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) movie poster

Timeline

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1978 · 85 mins · English
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Directed by
Paul Morrissey
Starring
Roy Kinnear, Denholm Elliott, Hugh Griffith, Spike Milligan, Dudley Moore, Peter Cook

In this irreverent comedy, Pete and Dud spoof Sherlock Holmes' classic Baskerville mystery. Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead, supposedly killed by a two‑century‑old family curse. Holmes sets out to prove the legend false, tracking a phantom hound that haunts the moors and threatens the next heir.

Crime Comedy Mystery Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Hound of the Baskervilles
  6. 6 Every angle
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15 events in order · contains spoilers

The Hound of the Baskervilles Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. The film opens in a theatre with a live pianist

    The movie begins on a theatre stage where a pianist accompanies the film being shown. This framing sets a theatrical mood as the narrative unfolds. The audience is drawn into a world where cinema and performance blur.

    When
    Opening
    Where
    Theatre

  2. Holmes receives the Baskerville case and entrusts Watson

    Holmes has just returned a stolen artifact to three French nuns and is asked to investigate Sir Henry Baskerville and a legendary hound. Fatigued by many cases, he entrusts the inquiry to Dr. Watson, who is portrayed as a Welsh eccentric. The case then shifts toward Watson taking the lead.

    When
    Shortly after
    Where
    London

  3. A warning on the moor en route to Baskerville Hall

    As Sir Henry, Dr. Mortimer, Watson, and Perkins travel from the station toward Baskerville Hall, a police officer halts them with a warning of a murderer stalking the moors. He then sends them on their way, heightening the sense of danger. The warning foreshadows the peril they will face.

    When
    On the way
    Where
    Moor road to Baskerville Hall

  4. Watson encounters Frankland and Mary on the moor

    While collecting specimens on the moor, Watson has an eerie encounter in a hut with the eccentric Mr. Frankland and his powerful lover, Mary. The scene adds a bizarre, unsettling texture to the landscape. It deepens the feeling that nothing on the moor can be trusted.

    When
    During specimen collection
    Where
    Moor hut

  5. Holmes visits Ada, his mother, in London

    In London, Holmes visits his mother Ada, who runs a bogus spiritualist scam aided by her housekeeper, Iris. Ada worries that Watson may need help and urges her son to hurry to his aid. The scene juxtaposes Holmes’s rational world with his mother’s deceitful mystique.

    When
    In the next scene
    Where
    London

  6. Holmes hires a moor runner, Mr. Spiggot

    Holmes interviews the one-legged Mr. Spiggot to act as a runner on the moor, adding a practical link to local knowledge. The interview shows Holmes’s methodical approach to gathering intelligence. The moor becomes a character through its human messengers.

    When
    Next scene
    Where
    Holmes's location / nearby

  7. Watson meets Stapleton on the moor

    While wandering the moors, Watson is mistaken for Sir Henry by Mr. Stapleton. Stapleton's sister describes dramatically her encounter with the Hound on the moor, and Miss Stapleton undergoes unsettling transformations reminiscent of a nightmare vision. The encounter deepens the mystery surrounding Merripit Hall.

    When
    During wandering
    Where
    Moor

  8. The Barrymores mistreat Sir Henry and Watson at Baskerville Hall

    The Barrymores confine Sir Henry and Watson to a damp, water-filled room while feeding them only cheese and water. The harsh treatment highlights the estate’s oppressive atmosphere and the distrust that permeates Baskerville Hall. The uneasy hospitality foreshadows darker motives at play.

    When
    Upon arrival
    Where
    Baskerville Hall

  9. Watson goes to the village and meets Stapleton’s chihuahua

    Watson travels to the village to send a message to Holmes and encounters Stapleton, who is carrying a chihuahua that urinates in Watson’s pocket and face. The moment adds a grotesque touch of humor amid mounting tension. It also tightens Stapleton’s odd presence in the plot.

    When
    Meanwhile
    Where
    Village

  10. Merripit Hall greets Watson with strange symptoms

    Arriving at Merripit Hall, Watson meets Mrs. Stapleton, who displays surreal symptoms suggesting demonic possession. The eerie behavior amplifies the moor’s sense of danger and illusion surrounding Stapleton’s household. The scene blends thriller with supernatural overtones.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Merripit Hall

  11. Late-night discovery of Stapletons and Ethel Seldon

    Late at night, Sir Henry and Watson discover the Stapletons and the escaped murderer, Ethel Seldon, dining as a family. The revelation confirms a lethal conspiracy behind the facade of Merripit Hall. Yet the men observe the scene with a troubling calm rather than panic.

    When
    Late night
    Where
    Merripit Hall

  12. Holmes arrives and marks the next phase of investigation

    Holmes arrives to review the case and draw connections from the disparate clues. An invitation then arrives for Sir Henry to dinner at Merripit Hall, signaling a planned confrontation and a trap. Holmes remains vigilant, already mapping the final confrontation.

    When
    After Holmes's arrival
    Where
    Merripit Hall

  13. Dinner escalates with bizarre incidents

    During dinner, Mrs. Stapleton vomits pale-blue liquid over Sir Henry, while Mr. Stapleton's chihuahua urinates in Watson’s soup. The grotesque theatrics heighten the sense of deceit and danger surrounding Merripit Hall. The plot thickens as the meal becomes a stage for treachery.

    When
    Dinner time
    Where
    Merripit Hall

  14. The moor chase and the Hound’s true nature revealed

    Ordered to leave in disgrace, the Stapletons and their accomplices pursue Sir Henry and Watson but are trapped in a treacherous quagmire. Holmes then reveals that the Hound is simply a large Irish wolfhound and that its barking was used to mask a murder-for-wealth scheme. With the danger unmasked, the motive is laid bare and the threat recedes.

    When
    Climactic reveal
    Where
    The Moor

  15. The pianist returns to the final, meta ending

    The film closes by returning to the theatre pianist, only to be struck by vegetables hurled from the audience. The final image circles back to the opening frame, offering a darkly comic coda to the mystery. The unresolved tensions leave audiences with a wry, ironic ending.

    When
    Ending
    Where
    Theatre

Last updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:33

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Timeline questions answered

The Hound of the Baskervilles Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Holmes let Watson investigate the Baskerville case instead of doing it himself?

Holmes is weary from years of crime solving and shows signs of fatigue. Rather than take on the Baskerville case himself, he entrusts the investigation to Watson, who is portrayed as a Welsh eccentric with undiminished curiosity. This allows the film to shift its focus to Watson's comedic exploits while Holmes makes occasional appearances.

  • holmes
  • watson
  • baskerville case
  • investigation
  • fatigue
Q2

Why does Stapleton want to kill Sir Henry?

Stapleton is part of a conspiracy to inherit the Baskerville fortune. By eliminating Sir Henry, the next heir, the conspirators can secure the wealth for themselves. The phantom hound legend is used as a tool to drive people away and mask the murder-for-wealth scheme.

Foreshadowing: Stapleton mistakes Watson for Sir Henry early on, showing his anticipation of the heir's arrival.

  • stapleton
  • sir henry
  • baskerville fortune
  • conspiracy
  • inheritance
Q3

What is the truth about the Hound in the film?

The Hound is not a monstrous beast or supernatural curse. Holmes reveals it is simply a large, friendly Irish wolfhound owned by the late Sir Charles Baskerville. The dog was used as a tool to frighten people away from the estate, masking a murder scheme rather than being a genuine threat.

Foreshadowing: Miss Stapleton recounts her encounter with the Hound, adding to the mystery before the reveal.

  • hound
  • irish wolfhound
  • legend
  • baskerville curse
  • supernatural
Q4

Why do the Barrymores mistreat Sir Henry and Watson at Baskerville Hall?

The Barrymores confine Sir Henry and Watson to a damp, water-filled room and feed them only cheese and water. This harsh treatment reflects the estate's oppressive atmosphere and hints at their involvement in the larger conspiracy against the Baskerville family.

Foreshadowing: The Barrymores' suspicious behavior foreshadows their connection to Selden, revealed later.

  • barrymores
  • baskerville hall
  • sir henry
  • watson
  • confinement
Q5

Who is Selden and what is his connection to the Baskerville case?

Selden is the escaped murderer known as the "Axe Murderer" and is revealed to be Mrs. Barrymore's brother. He is hiding with the Stapletons at Merripit Hall. The conspirators use Selden as a threat while plotting to eliminate Sir Henry and claim the Baskerville fortune.

Foreshadowing: A policeman warns the party about a murderer stalking the moors, foreshadowing Selden's role.

  • selden
  • axe murderer
  • barrymore
  • merripit hall
  • escaped prisoner
Q6

Why does Mrs. Stapleton vomit pale-blue liquid over Sir Henry at dinner?

The scene is part of the film's crude humor and surreal tone. Mrs. Stapleton displays bizarre, almost demonic symptoms throughout, and her vomiting blue liquid is a grotesque comic note that heightens the sense of deception and danger surrounding the Stapletons' household.

  • mrs stapleton
  • vomiting
  • dinner
  • blue liquid
  • comedy
Q7

Why does Stapleton's chihuahua urinate on Watson?

The chihuahua repeatedly urinates in Watson's pocket and face, and later in his soup during dinner. This is a deliberate comedic gag in the film, adding grotesque humor to the mounting tension and emphasizing the surreal, farcical tone of the comedy.

  • stapleton
  • chihuahua
  • urine
  • watson
  • comedy
Q8

What is Holmes's mother doing in London?

Holmes's mother Ada runs a bogus spiritualist operation with the help of Iris. They scam elderly ladies by conducting glitzy fake seances to steal their money. This subplot adds farce to the film and provides a moment where Ada urges Holmes to help "Watty," adding comic relief.

  • ada
  • holmes mother
  • spiritualist
  • scam
  • iris
Q9

Why does Stapleton mistake Watson for Sir Henry?

While wandering the moors, Watson is mistaken for Sir Henry by Stapleton. This error sets up the conspiracy's urgency and shows that Stapleton is actively tracking the heir's movements, eager to proceed with his murder plot.

Foreshadowing: The mistake occurs early, establishing Stapleton's obsession with the Baskerville heir.

  • watson
  • sir henry
  • stapleton
  • mistaken identity
  • moor
Q10

What happens to the conspirators at the end?

The Stapletons and their accomplices (Dr. Mortimer, Mr. Frankland, and Mary) give chase and trap themselves in a dangerous quagmire on the moor. With the Hound's true nature revealed and the murder scheme exposed, the conspiracy collapses and the threat to Sir Henry ends.

Foreshadowing: Holmes suspects the dinner invitation to Merripit Hall is a trap, which proves correct.

  • stapletons
  • conspirators
  • quagmire
  • chase
  • moor
Q11

What was the warning about the murderer on the moors about?

As the party travels to Baskerville Hall, a policeman warns them about a murderer stalking the desolate moors. This warning heightens the sense of danger and foreshadows the peril they will face, specifically foreshadowing the presence of Selden, the escaped Axe Murderer.

Foreshadowing: The warning directly sets up the threat posed by Selden throughout the story.

  • policeman
  • warning
  • murderer
  • moors
  • selden

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Hound of the Baskervilles tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Absurdist parodies like The Hound of the Baskervilles

Movies that gleefully dismantle and ridicule familiar stories with chaotic humor. If you liked the chaotic spoofing in The Hound of the Baskervilles, you'll enjoy these movies. This list features similar comedies that irreverently parody classic tropes, from mysteries to adventures, with a focus on silly humor and nonsensical twists.

  • parody
  • absurd
  • slapstick
  • irreverent
  • silly
  • bawdy
  • Tone: whimsical, irreverent
  • Pacing: fast, chaotic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Narratives in this thread often follow a familiar structure—a mystery, a quest, a romance—but subvert it at every turn with illogical events, bumbling characters, and punchlines that prioritize the joke over plot coherence. The journey is a series of comedic set-pieces loosely strung together.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared goal of playful spoofing. They have a low-stakes, high-energy feel where the primary enjoyment comes from recognizing the source material and laughing at its absurd reinvention through crude humor and visual gags.

The Hound of the Baskervilles movie poster

The Hound of the Baskervilles

1978
Young Frankenstein movie poster

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1974
Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie poster

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

1975
Schlock movie poster

Schlock

1973
Turnabout movie poster

Turnabout

1940
Top Secret! movie poster

Top Secret!

1984
Outer Space Jitters movie poster

Outer Space Jitters

1957
A Ham in a Role movie poster

A Ham in a Role

1949

Movies with bumbling investigators like The Hound of the Baskervilles

Stories where the detectives are as much of a mystery as the case they're solving. Fans of the incompetent detective duo in The Hound of the Baskervilles will love these films. Discover similar movies featuring clueless sleuths, whether professional or accidental, whose investigations are a source of constant comedy and mishaps.

  • bumbling
  • incompetent
  • slapstick
  • playful
  • silly
  • comedy mystery
  • Tone: playful, silly
  • Pacing: fast, steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a seemingly straightforward mystery that is complicated by the protagonists' sheer incompetence. The plot advances through a series of errors and misunderstandings, with the resolution often being accidental or arriving as a nonsensical punchline to their chaotic efforts.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core comedic premise: the irony of an investigator who is spectacularly bad at their job. The grouping emphasizes a specific character dynamic and a lighthearted, low-stakes approach to the mystery genre.

Ask a Policeman movie poster

Ask a Policeman

1939
Who's Harry Crumb? movie poster

Who's Harry Crumb?

1989
The Hound of the Baskervilles movie poster

The Hound of the Baskervilles

1978
Holmes & Watson movie poster

Holmes & Watson

2018
Il Mistero di Bellavista movie poster

Il Mistero di Bellavista

1985
They All Laughed movie poster

They All Laughed

1981
The Wrong Arm of the Law movie poster

The Wrong Arm of the Law

1963
Carry On Constable movie poster

Carry On Constable

1960

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Every angle

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1978) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Hound of the Baskervilles in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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