They Might Be Giants

Play trailer

They Might Be Giants

G

Released Jun 9, 1971

1h 31m

Comedy

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

61%

Tomatometer

18 Reviews

74%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After the death of his wife, wealthy retiree Justin Playfair (George C. Scott) creates a fantasy world for himself in which he is the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, even dressing like the character. Out of concern for Justin's money more than his health, his brother Blevins puts him under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). As Dr. Watson grows fond of Justin, she begins to play along with his theories, eventually becoming an assistant in his investigations.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

The acting works more enjoyably than the allegory... Its individual pieces are highly entertaining, however, and Scott is such a good Holmes I hope he'll play the part for real some day.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It is at least a friendly and humane film. Nevertheless, I hardly like to judge it in this cut about condition, save to assure Miss Woodward that my own embarrassment was kept well within bounds.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Stefan Kanfer

TIME Magazine

The pretense cannot mask the film's pusillanimous ideas.

Feb 8, 2018

Full Review

Michael Billington

Birmingham Post

The film has been rather brutally cut by Universal so that some of it doesn't even make sense. But I can't believe it would ever have been anything more than a piece of precious whimsy.

Oct 25, 2023

Full Review

Arthur Thirkell

Daily Mirror (UK)

The plot, in gathering too many nuts into the maze, eventually gets lost in a welter of symbolism.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

George Melly

Observer (UK)

George Scott and Joanne Woodward are excellent as the Baker Street duo and there are many genuinely funny moments but, alas, the symbolism and the attendant whimsy get them in the end.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

bao s

George C Scott and Joanne Woodward offer up excellent performances. It's a bit Harvey and a mix of all the early 70s movies that come off as a hangover from the excess of the sixties. An interesting and somewhat suspenseful watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

Full Review

Steve D

Far more depressing than amusing.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/23

Full Review

jon c

George C. Scott and Joanne Woodard Justin has somewhat lost his sanity after his wife died, so he's taken on the persona of Sherlock Holmes even taking actual detective cases Justin's brother wants to have him committed and take all the finances But Dr. Mildred Watson under his care starts to take an interest in his persona even solving these investigations together But how far can she go along with this delusion? Can Justin ever come back to who he once was? This was pretty average I found Nothing that special even though it looks closely at what insanity actually is opposed to being sick or certifiably unwell

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

lots of plus comments on this, but i was underwhelmed. everybody did a good job, but the story was dull.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

quirky and lovable as Holmes battles it out with Moriarty helped by his faithful Watson and an army of helpers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Odd but fun tale. The ending is very much "early 1970s"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Anthony Harvey

Director

George C. Scott

Justin Playfair

Joanne Woodward

Dr. Mildred Watson

Jack Gilford

Wilbur Peabody

Lester Rawlins

Blevins Playfair

Al Lewis

Messenger

A New Leaf

94%

82%

A New Leaf

Watchlist

The Twelve Chairs

87%

63%

The Twelve Chairs

Watchlist

The Odd Couple

97%

89%

The Odd Couple

Watchlist

Hot Millions

67%

74%

Hot Millions

Watchlist

Benji

86%

56%

Benji

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After the death of his wife, wealthy retiree Justin Playfair (George C. Scott) creates a fantasy world for himself in which he is the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, even dressing like the character. Out of concern for Justin's money more than his health, his brother Blevins puts him under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). As Dr. Watson grows fond of Justin, she begins to play along with his theories, eventually becoming an assistant in his investigations.

Director: Anthony Harvey
Producer: John Foreman, Jennings Lang, Paul Newman
Screenwriter: James Goldman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Newman-Foreman Company
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2016
Runtime: 1h 31m

Most Popular at Home Now