Sherlock Holmes in Pursuit To Algiers (1945)

68% of users liked it
(1,260 ratings)

Taking place almost exclusively on a transatlantic ocean liner, this easygoing Sherlock Holmes entry finds Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) escorting Far Eastern regent Nikolas (Leslie Vincent) on a diplomatic mission. A group of assassins have targeted Nikolas for extermination, and… More Taking place almost exclusively on a transatlantic ocean liner, this easygoing Sherlock Holmes entry finds Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Watson (Nigel Bruce) escorting Far Eastern regent Nikolas (Leslie Vincent) on a diplomatic mission. A group of assassins have targeted Nikolas for extermination, and they're not averse to knocking off Holmes and Watson to achieve their goals. In the end, it seems as though the villains have gained the upper hand -- but that's before the cagey Holmes reveals the film's biggest surprise (which, for a change, really is a surprise). Throughout Pursuit to Algiers, it's fun to watch bad guys Martin Kosleck and Rex Evans making like a road-company version of Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. The film's only disappointment is Watson's recital of the case of the Giant Rat of Sumatra, which we never get to hear in its entirety! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 5 min.
Directed By: Roy William Neill
Written By: Leonard Lee
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 26, 1945 Wide
On DVD: Jan 27, 2004

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Though the plot-line was stale and this is one of the poorer ones in the series, the Rathbone-Bruce team are always good enough to make things entertaining.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
The film is marred by glacial pacing, its own silly premise, and a snowballing series of absurdities.

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