Year: 1971
Runtime: 91 min
Language: English
Director: Anthony Harvey
Following the death of his parents, a man is committed to a mental institution. There, he convinces a psychiatrist that he is the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. As she tries to treat him, she becomes drawn into his elaborate games and deductive reasoning, unsure if he’s genuinely brilliant or simply delusional. The psychiatrist finds herself increasingly involved in his invented cases and the blurring lines between their roles lead to unexpected complications.
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As Judge Justin Playfair](/actor/george-c-scott) struggles with the profound emptiness after his wife’s passing, he seeks refuge in a fantastical world where he embodies the legendary detective, Sherlock Holmes. Clad in the signature deerstalker hat, with a pipe in one hand and a violin in the other, he constructs a quirky makeshift criminal lab, absorbed in the task of deciphering the convoluted schemes concocted by the sinister Professor Moriarty.
The situation escalates when his brother, Lester Rawlins, attempts to have him committed. However, during this turmoil, he unwittingly piques the interest of Dr. Mildred Watson, a psychiatrist who finds his case to be both perplexing and fascinating. As she probes into his mind, Justin astonishes her with his remarkable skill in abductive reasoning, reminiscent of Holmes’s acute observational skills. Amidst the ensuing madness, he boldly breaks free from the institution, and Dr. Watson, captivated by his peculiar situation, cannot help but get involved.
Though initially hesitant to embrace Dr. Watson’s therapeutic insights, Justin flips the script by exploring the labyrinth of her psyche instead. His intrigue deepens when he reveals her true identity, leading him to eagerly integrate her into his imaginative escapades as his trusted companion, Doctor Watson. Together, they embark on an enigmatic journey to apprehend Moriarty, encountering an array of eccentric characters as they traverse the vibrant streets of the city.
The excitement reaches a boiling point when Dr. Watson, in a flurry of nerves, extends an invitation for dinner, adorning herself in a wedding gown for what she believes to be a landmark event. What begins as a seemingly mundane dinner spirals into an extraordinary adventure, as they revisit the eccentric individuals they’ve met along the way, who eventually become part of their quirky procession. Remarkably, Dr. Watson’s wedding gown remains a constant throughout this whimsical ritual.
As darkness envelops the night, the eclectic ensemble begins to disperse, leaving just Holmes and Watson standing before an underpass in the park, like two worshippers at a sacred altar. With a confrontation with Moriarty looming on the horizon, they stand entranced, listening to the rumble of approaching hooves accompanied by a bright light that evokes the glow of a police vehicle or perhaps a subway train, rather than celestial radiance.
Last Updated: November 17, 2024 at 22:12
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