The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) in Color — Starring Richard Greene & Basil Rathbone

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) – Buy This Classic Mystery in Color

Experience the definitive The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) in stunning colorized HD. Directed by Sidney Lanfield, this is the film that established Basil Rathbone as the screen’s greatest Sherlock Holmes and launched one of cinema’s most beloved and enduring character franchises. When Sir Charles Baskerville dies of apparent fright on the misty moors of Dartmoor — his face frozen in an expression of absolute terror — and the ancient legend of a supernatural hound that has haunted the Baskerville family for centuries is revived, Holmes and Watson (Nigel Bruce) are engaged to protect the new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene), and to discover whether the danger is truly supernatural or whether human malice is hiding behind the legend. With atmospheric Dartmoor settings, a genuinely suspenseful mystery, and Rathbone’s iconic first appearance as Holmes, this is the essential Sherlock Holmes film — the one that defined how the world pictures the great detective. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

The legend of the Baskervilles is a terrifying one: centuries ago, the wicked Hugo Baskerville, pursuing a young woman across the moor, was torn apart by a gigantic, spectral hound — and ever since, the Baskerville family has been cursed, each generation haunted by the beast that stalks the moors of Dartmoor.

Sir Charles Baskerville, the most recent lord of the manor, has been found dead at the edge of the moor. The official verdict is heart failure, brought on by his known cardiac condition. But Dr. Mortimer, the family physician, reveals to Holmes crucial additional evidence: near the body, in the soft ground of the moor, he found footprints — not of a man, not of a human being at all, but of a gigantic hound.

The new heir, Sir Henry Baskerville (Richard Greene) — a robust, no-nonsense young Canadian — arrives in London to claim his inheritance, only to receive an anonymous warning: ‘If you value your life, keep away from the moor.’ Holmes, intrigued by the case’s unique combination of the apparently supernatural and the potentially criminal, dispatches Watson to Dartmoor to guard Sir Henry while he conducts his own investigation.

On the moor, Watson encounters a landscape perfectly designed for mystery and menace: vast, desolate stretches of bog and heather, the ruins of ancient settlements, the great Grimpen Mire — a treacherous swamp that can swallow a man or horse without trace — and, most disturbing of all, the howling of something out on the moor in the dead of night. The human characters are equally enigmatic: Barrymore the butler, whose nocturnal activities are suspicious; his wife, who weeps secretly at night; the naturalist Stapleton, who studies the moor’s insects with obsessive intensity; and Stapleton’s beautiful sister, whose interest in Sir Henry seems to carry a warning beneath its warmth.

When Holmes himself appears on the moor — having secretly established himself in the ancient stone huts of the prehistoric settlement — the investigation moves toward its thrilling climax, as the great detective reveals the human intelligence behind the supernatural terror and confronts the hound itself in one of cinema’s most memorable sequences.

Cast & Crew

Director: Sidney Lanfield
Stars: Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce, Richard Greene, Lionel Atwill, John Carradine, Wendy Barrie, Beryl Mercer, Morton Lowry

Basil Rathbone’s Holmes is the definitive screen portrayal — hawk-faced, intellectually dazzling, imperiously confident, and utterly commanding. Nigel Bruce establishes the genial, loyal Watson that would define their partnership through fourteen films. The supporting cast is superb, with Lionel Atwill and John Carradine adding menace and mystery to a Dartmoor populated with suspicious characters.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The Dartmoor moorland — its rolling, fog-shrouded expanse, the forbidding presence of Baskerville Hall, the treacherous green surface of the Grimpen Mire, and the ancient stone ruins where Holmes conceals himself — is spectacularly enhanced through expert colorization. The contrast between the warm, firelit interiors of Baker Street and the cold, mist-wrapped landscape of the moor creates a visual atmosphere of extraordinary power. The hound itself, when finally revealed, gains an additional dimension of terror in colour. Now also available in colour. Own the definitive Holmes film for just €15.00 — where the game is afoot on the moors of Dartmoor.

Historical Significance

The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939) is one of the most important films in mystery-cinema history. It established Basil Rathbone as the screen’s definitive Sherlock Holmes — a characterisation so authoritative that it shaped public perception of the character for decades. The film launched a franchise of fourteen Holmes films that remain the gold standard against which all subsequent adaptations are measured. Rathbone’s angular features, piercing intelligence, and aristocratic bearing became synonymous with Holmes himself. The film’s atmospheric rendering of Dartmoor set the visual template for every subsequent adaptation of the story. Arthur Conan Doyle considered The Hound of the Baskervilles his finest Holmes novel, and this adaptation honours that distinction. Through colorization, this landmark mystery classic has been preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 80 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this really the best Sherlock Holmes film?
A: Widely considered so — Rathbone’s definitive performance, the atmospheric Dartmoor settings, and the faithful adaptation of Doyle’s finest novel combine to create what many regard as the greatest mystery film ever made.

Q: Is the hound scary?
A: The buildup of suspense is masterful — the howling on the moor, the mysterious footprints, and the growing sense of supernatural dread make the hound’s appearance genuinely thrilling, even for modern audiences.

Q: Is the mystery well constructed?
A: Superbly — Doyle’s plot, with its blend of the gothic and the rational, translates beautifully to the screen, maintaining genuine suspense while delivering a satisfying logical solution.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943)
• The Scarlet Claw (1944)
• The Pearl of Death (1944)
• The Woman in Green (1945)
• Terror by Night (1946)