Main Cast: John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Robert Morley
Release Year: 1966
Country: UK/WG
Run Time: 94 minutes
Plot
In A Study in Terror the ever popular Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson search for the Victorian serial killerJack the Ripper in this well-made and exciting mystery produced, written and directed by James Hill. In this adaptation of the popular character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes (John Neville) aided by Dr. Watson (Donald Houston) and his brother Mycroft (Robert Morley) are called in to help catch the crazed killer of prostitutes. This film combines all the elements beloved by fans of Sherlock Holmes resulting in a satisfying and well-acted mystery. John Neville is good as the cool, logical Holmes and Robert Morley adds a nice dash of humor to liven up the story. A Study in Terror is highly recommended for fans of Sherlock Holmes and should be enjoyed by any viewer who loves vintage mysteries. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
Barbara Windsor - Annie Chapman; Adrienne Corri - Angela; Frank Finlay - Inspector Lestrade; Judi Dench - Sally; Charles Regnier - Joseph Beck; Cecil Parker - Prime Minister; Georgia Brown - Saloon Singer; Barry Jones - Duke of Shires; Terry Downes - Chunky; Dudley Foster - Home Secretary; Peter Carsten - Max Steiner; Christiane Maybach - Polly Nichols; Kay Walsh - Cathy Eddowes; John Cairney - Michael Osborne; Edina Ronay - Mary Kelly; Avis Bunnage - Landlady; Barbara Leake - Mrs. Hudson; Norma Foster - Liz Stride; Patrick Newell - P.C. Benson; Donna White - 1st Streetwalker
Credit
Motley - Costume Designer, James H. Hill - Director, Henry Richardson - Editor, John Scott - Composer (Music Score), Tom Smith - Makeup, Alexander Vetchinsky - Production Designer, Desmond Dickinson - Cinematographer, Henry Lester - Producer, Wally Veevers - Special Effects, Derek Ford - Screenwriter, Donald Ford - Screenwriter
Although it is based on Conan Doyle's characters, the story is an original one, which has the famous detective on the trail of Jack the Ripper. In the dark alleys of nineteenth century London, the notorious Jack the Ripper committed a series of gruesome murders. The story of A Study in Terror challenges Sherlock Holmes to solve these horrific crimes. This leads Holmes through a trail of aristocracy, blackmail, and family insanity. Unlike Scotland Yard, and the real-life story, Holmes exposes the identity of the Ripper.
In 1966, the film was novelized by Ellery Queen and Paul W. Fairman. The novelization is unusual in that it adds a framing story wherein Ellery Queen reads a manuscript that re-tells the actions of the film. The framing story was written by Ellery Queen and the novelization of the film itself by Fairman. Several plot points, including most notably the identity of the murderer, were altered for the novelization.
The Holmes-Ripper idea was later taken up in Murder by Decree (1978), in which Frank Finlay reprised his role as Lestrade and Anthony Quayle once again had an important part (though this time as Sir Charles Warren of Scotland Yard).
