The Seven Per Cent Solution [1976] [DVD]

Sometimes a great idea, a good script and an interesting cast can still end up resulting in a slightly disappointing film. Case in point The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. The 70s was the last decade to regularly produce big-screen outings for Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, and having exhausted Conan Doyle's stories there was a tendency to put a modern spin on them to make them stand out from the crowd. Thus Billy Wilder delved into the consulting detective's private life, Gene Wilder discovered another smarter Holmes brother and Christopher Plummer and James Mason set off on the heels of Jack the Ripper, but for sheer ingenuity writer Nicholas Meyer had them beat: his ingenious and loving pastiche had Holmes lured to Vienna in the hope that Sigmund Freud could cure him of his addiction to a seven-per-cent solution of cocaine only for the two greatest detectives of the 19th century to find themselves caught up in another drug-wreathed mystery.

The film certainly attracted a lot of money and talent, but the money isn't always noticeably spent and some of the talent isn't right for this story. Herbert Ross' direction feels uncertain of whether he's making a drama, a comedy or a light thriller and takes too long to find an acceptable balance and a consistent tone (though John Addison's fine score works overtime to tie all the elements together to paper over the cracks). This certainly seems to communicate to the impressive cast as well, with the feeling that some of them are in a completely different picture to others. At times it feels like it's been cast more by the players' reputation than their suitability. Alan Arkin is rather perfect as Freud but Nicol Williamson, with his machine-gun diction sounding like a demented Dalek whenever in the throes of his craving, makes choices that are often more interesting than successful as Holmes. Yet his staccato vocal contortions are as nothing compared to Robert Duvall's stunningly awful "Engolissshh" accent that detracts from what would otherwise be a good performance. It really is a disaster on an epic scale that has to be heard to be disbelieved, overemphasising syllables until sentences and even individual words either lose their meaning or become laughable exercises in translation: "Bahr twot doo yew meeyan, Hoems?" "Ay mussed bussell," or "Morrie Ahhttyy?" Just when you think you've mentally blocked it out of your head, he'll throw in another clanger like "Weir go-ng two Lun-dun!" to drag you out of the story. Lord help us, he makes Dick Van Dyke sound like a genuine Englishman by comparison.

The casting is more effective in the smaller roles - Charles Gray's Mycroft Holmes, Jeremy Kemp essaying yet another of his arrogant German aristos, Laurence Olivier's timid and persecuted mathematics teacher Moriarty (though the part might have been funnier with someone like Arnold Ridley in the role). Even Vanessa Redgrave, so often so mechanically artificial onscreen, is fine in her fairly small but pivotal role even if she can't resist affectedly mispronouncing her last line. Joel Grey and Samantha Eggar have little to do, but at least do it well.

It doesn't help that it's a distinctly schizophrenic film, the first half a rather theatrical and often awkward psychological drama buried under far too much narration in that strange language Duvall seems to be creating word by word before it develops into a ripping yarn with killer Lipizaner Stallions, a Turkish sultan with a thing for redheads and a swordfight on the top of a speeding train. It may take a bit of willpower to stick with it, but once it reaches Austria and a wired Holmes pulls off a brilliant display of elementary deductive reasoning in Freud's office it goes from a film where little works to one where everything starts to click. More importantly, it starts to be enough fun to make you forgive its many shortcomings.

The letterboxed UK DVD is the uncut version including Stephen Sondheim's `Madame's Song' that's often cut from TV prints, though someone really should tell whoever designed the sleeve that not only is there no stills gallery on the disc but that Christopher Plummer does not play Holmes in the film.

I had received this obscure film over Christmas but had not watched it until recently when I brought it over to watch with my friend who frankly is a Holmes Buff and introduced me to the vast array of Conan Doyle stories and the exquisite Jeremy Brett television series. Until then I had only watched the Hammer's film with Peter Cushing which I still enjoy watching.

The film's title and plot originates from the book of the same name written by Nicholas Meyer and the plot includes the spiraling addiction of Holmes cocaine use and the inspired addition of Sigmund Freud to the detective team. Therefore you cannot watch this and expect a typical Holmes story. If you do, you will probably end up bemused by it all. However it is a story that shows the writers affection of the original ACD canon and of Freud. The film is done with a appreciativly tongue-in-cheek attitude.

Williamson is not typical Holmes because of the effect of Holmes' psychological and physicological deteriation from the drug overuse. However as he continues through the case, his passion and enthusiasm returns and excites the audience once more. Holmes relationship with Watson (Robert Duvall)does have it's strains but it is as close, fond and fun as it ever can be and there is some classic moments between the two such as in the bordello. Laurence Olivier uncannily portrays Moriarty excellently. Alan Arkin as Freud is also perfect in his fictional interpretation. Freud rather than competing in intelligence with the duo, all work well together in completing the case.

Overall we really liked it. Even though Robert Duvall's English accent should be shot and buried so nobody has to hear it again...though it was rather entertaining to hear which word was to be vocally violated next.

A "must see" for fans of Sherlock Holmes as it gives an insight into his coccane addiction and his cure and treatment by Sigmund Freud . Memorable performances by the principal characters. A good and acceptable DVD transfer. Highly recommended.