The Masks of Death (1984)

'The Masks of Death' was Peter Cushing's swansong as Sherlock Holmes, a character he had played opposite Andre Morell in a Hammer 'Hound of the Baskervilles' and then in a television series for the BBC opposite Nigel Stock.Here his Watson is an elderly John Mills, and the two make a charming pair presenting Holmes in his later life as a beekeeper who is tempted out of retirement to help an old friend, policeman McGregor (Gordon Jackson). It soon becomes apparent that more urgent matters require the intervention of the great detective when the Home Secretary (Ray Milland) comes to call with a foreign dignitary (Anton Diffring). And to complicate things, still further, The Woman has returned to London (Irene Adler of course, played by Anne Baxter).As a plot goes, 'The Masks of Death' is rather pedestrian and not that involving. But with a cast like this, who can complain? Cushing is more crotchety than he had been in his previous outings in the role, but Mills proves a fine foil - his Watson is definitely the army man, a man of action. Baxter is luminous, and even when the solution is staring us in the face there's still enough going on in the interplay between the actors to keep us interested.

All star television presentation brings back the great Peter Cushing returning to the part of Sherlock Holmes as he and Dr. Watson(..played here by John Mills)attempt to solve a baffling mystery concerning three dead bodies with no apparent physical damage that could've caused death. The bodies' faces appear to have a look of fright so Holmes and Watson search the abandoned White Chapel district looking for possible clues, finding a hideous drunken hobo who tells them of demons in the area. Meanwhile, Holmes is visited by England's Home Secretary(Ray Milland)who begs for his assistance in finding a missing German of great importance, a special guest supposedly staying at the rented estate of Graf Udo Von Felseck(Anton Diffring) which could start a war between their two countries(England and Germany)if he isn't found. After uncharacteristic mistakes(..including threats against his life), Holmes uncovers a diabolical plan, which may very well involve Felseck in an attempt to cause the very war the Home Secretary wishes to avoid. Anne Baxter(..in her last film)has a nice role as "the WOMAN", Irene Adler, an American of German descent, who was able to defeat him in the past. She a potential suspect within the curious plot involving Felseck.I must admit that I was hoping for something more substantial when I purchased this, but seeing Cushing in the role of Holmes once again was thrilling enough. It's also fascinating seeing Cushing, as a much older gentleman, as Sherlock Holmes, both men in the twilight of their careers taking on one last case. The most painful thing about this film was that it seemed to end so soon. I was like, "That's it! Oh, no, don't let it end!" That's how much I loved his performance. As Sherlock Holmes in this particular film(..more interesting than perhaps the case itself)was seeing him as imperfect and flawed. Through making certain mistakes he wouldn't have as a younger man, Holmes does succeed in figuring out the case. Cushing gets to don two disuises, both of which lend a great deal of support to his staying alive and escaping others idenitfying him. And, the identifiable traits are added so that we couldn't forget the details of the character, such as his pipe, violen, and suit/hat. I, like a lot of folks who may've watched this, did wonder how one case(..regarding the trio, soon a fourth victim, who were found dead)correlated with the kidnapping plot, but it all has a connection, of course, revolving around the potential horror of a German-British war, which certain sinister figures probably wanted due to a brilliant plan which could've worked had not the Baker Street Sleuth been involved. Mills lends a great deal of support to Holmes as Watson, a man who would follow his partner anywhere, more than happy to lend a helping hand when necessary. I thought the pair(Cushing and Mills)made a wonderful, endearing duo, two older gents who had been a part of many difficult, life-threatening cases, at it one final time.The film has Watson publishing Holmes memoirs to a writer narrating the "Masks of Death" case. Superb cast joining Hammer scribe Anthony Hinds and director Roy Ward Baker. Such a collaborative effort from so many recognizable names provides THE MASKS OF DEATH with an allure. Sadly, for me anyway, Milland is only in one scene, begging for Holmes assistance in solving the mystery behind a kidnapping. Anton Diffring, an actor who just never received the respect he deserved, ably fulfills his role as a suspicious character, equipping Felseck with an air of mystery, yet also providing him a degree of sophistication and manners..a polite, yet dubious fellow who is talented enough to skillfully hide his evil intent. Baxter, still quite lovely as her life was nearing an end, plays off of Cushing especially well..she provides Adler with enough debatable qualities that you're never sure what is up her sleeve, or if there's a scheme at all. Adler, thanks to Baxter, has a charm about her, for sure, but there's an uncertainty that she pulls off that adds to the film. I couldn't help but think back to her performance in ALL ABOUT EVE because the character of Eve had such sneaky qualities as well, a certain ability to project a person who may or may not have ulterior motives to benefit her own well being. I think Baxter proves why her Adler was indeed able to out-best Holmes once before. I wanted more of Adler and Felseck, but THE MASKS OF DEATH had a rather flimsy plot which didn't provide much time for all the characters to evolve. Still, it was such fun to see all these actors together even if for such a short amount of time on screen. Somber experience for me knowing that most of the cast have now left us because such talent was certainly appreciated. I would hate to not mention Gordon Jackson as Inspector Alec MacDonald, of Scotland Yard, who comes to the retired Sherlock Holmes, wondering if he'd help solve the case of the three dead men found around White Chapel. 70 or so minutes is just too short, sigh, but alas..

A request by Scotland Yard inspector Gordon Jackson for help from the now retired Sherlock Holmes about some very mysterious deaths of men being found in the Thames River brings the famous detective back to Baker Street. The celebrated detective and his companion Dr. John Watson now spend a lot of their time in the countryside just gathering their notes together for the ultimate Holmes memoir.The Masks Of Death brings Peter Cushing to his second portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth. He had previously played him in the Hammer Film production of The Hound Of The Baskervilles. In this film John Mills is Doctor Watson who also narrates.The Masks Of Death is not based on any Conan Doyle story and the reason is pretty clear. After Holmes and Watson go to work on this case, the Home Secretary played by Ray Milland asks for Holmes's help in a case of national importance. Accompanying Milland is German gentleman Anton Diffring. They allege that a prince of the royal Hohenzollern blood has been kidnapped while traveling incognito in Great Britain. We've got to find him before anything else period. Milland plays a member of the cabinet who wants to stop an impending German/British war at all costs.In fact in the cabinet of Herbert Asquith back in the day, the Minister for War, Lord Haldane was a man doing just that and his pro-German views were the basis for his dismissal. I doubt Arthur Conan Doyle would have been libeling Lord Haldane back in those days. And it would have been libel for what eventually Holmes uncovers.Baker Street purists will scoff at this one. It wasn't however a bad film for Peter Cushing. Anne Baxter is on hand as well in one of her last roles as a mysterious German/American woman who Holmes can't quite trust. He suspects, heaven forfend, she's a suffragist.What the two cases have in common might surprise the viewer. If carried out it would have been the crime of the last century.

One of the main reasons for purchasing this movie on VHS was because Peter Cushing is in it, who makes a good Sherlock Holmes.Sherlock Holmes comes out of retirement to investigate some strange murders in London's sewers. He teams up with Dr Watson once again. The the case takes them to Buckinghamshire. They end up back in London and down the sewers again, they discover a lab where poison gas is being made and these people are responsible for the murders and are arrested.This movie is worth having just for the cast alone, many of them ageing: Peter Cushing (The Curse Of Frankenstein, Star Wars), Sir John Mills (Scott of the Antarctic, Tiger Bay), Ray Milland (The Man With X-Ray Eyes), Anton Diffring (Circus of Horrors, The Beast Must Die), Gordon Jackson (The Great Escape, The Ipcress File), Anne Baxter (I Confess) and Susan Penhaligon (The Land That Time Forgot). All play good parts. Of these people, only Sir John Mills and Susan Penhaligon are still alive today.I enjoyed this movie ans is worth looking at.Rating: 3 stars out of 5.