Young Sherlock Holmes

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Young Sherlock Holmes

PG-13

Released Dec 6, 1985

1h 49m

Mystery & Thriller

Adventure

Action

Drama

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Popcornmeter

71%

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21 Reviews

63%

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10,000+ Ratings

A teenage Sherlock Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) meets and befriends his future sidekick, the bemused and bespectacled John Watson (Alan Cox). During their first semester of boarding school, a series of deaths occur on campus. Intrigued by the crime, Holmes looks into it and soon comes to suspect a poisonous hallucinogen. And then, in the midst of their investigation, Holmes and Watson stumble on a bizarre cult with a penchant for human sacrifice -- after which they must struggle to escape.

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Critics Consensus

Young Sherlock Holmes is a charming, if unnecessarily flashy, take on the master sleuth.

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Paul Attanasio

Washington Post

... it's a perfectly agreeable family entertainment, a craftsmanlike fantasia on Conan Doyle.

Jan 4, 2018

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Joshua Vasquez

Slant Magazine

There is something about Holmes's elegant, haunting, and whisperingly melancholic distance, his analytical remove from the world, that inspires a desire for glimpses of the baroque corridors of labyrinthine interiors.

Rated: 3/4

Dec 5, 2003

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

If these story elements seem typical of Conan Doyle, there is also a lot in this movie that can be traced directly to the work of Steven Spielberg, the executive producer.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

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Mel Valentin

eFilmCritic.com

Rated: 4/5

Oct 14, 2010

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MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

This is the origin story for the world's first consulting detective that Conan Doyle was never considerate enough to write for us...

Mar 23, 2010

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

The idea to center on Holmes and Watson as young men is good and original but the execution is rather poor and Levinson's direction is impersonal.

Rated: C+

Jun 30, 2005

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Garrett B

Though mostly remembered for its landmark achievement of CGI, it is a very underrated mystery thriller with some dazzling practical effects.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/10/25

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H. Coy A

Honestly, I was 5 when this movie first came out. It will be one of my all time favorite movies. The action, the history, the well Sherlock being Sherlock, but it was a great movie then and it is a movie that when I want a bit of the nostalgia I will watch and at times, I still can see 5 year old me sitting on the follow transfixed to the screen. Especially, any scene in the Pyramid...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/28/24

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Audience Member

One of the real gems of '85. Wonderful performances, groundbreaking special effects, and a fantastic musical score by composer Bruce Broughton. A tribute worthy of the singular Sherlock Holmes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/24

Full Review

Michael W

I absolutely love this movie! Innocent and exciting and pure entertainment for the entire family from young to old. Imaginative, lighthearted and spellbinding. Fabulous depiction of Victorian England.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/31/23

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ZIA L

Just an unbelievable work of Choice & Elimination.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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Steve D

An oddity with a ridiculous resolution.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/27/23

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Barry Levinson

Director

Nicholas Rowe

Sherlock Holmes

Alan Cox

John Watson

Sophie Ward

Elizabeth Hardy

Anthony Higgins

Rathe

Susan Fleetwood

Mrs. Dribb

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - This is Not Real

2:11

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - Cold Revenge

2:02

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - Holmes' New Hat

1:49

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - Attack on Waxflatter

1:19

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - Fencing Lessons

1:34

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - The Adventure of a Lifetime

2:06

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - Watson Meets Holmes

2:13

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - The Stained Glass Knight

2:03

Young Sherlock Holmes: Official Clip - The Cult of Eh-tar

1:54

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Synopsis

A teenage Sherlock Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) meets and befriends his future sidekick, the bemused and bespectacled John Watson (Alan Cox). During their first semester of boarding school, a series of deaths occur on campus. Intrigued by the crime, Holmes looks into it and soon comes to suspect a poisonous hallucinogen. And then, in the midst of their investigation, Holmes and Watson stumble on a bizarre cult with a penchant for human sacrifice -- after which they must struggle to escape.

Director: Barry Levinson
Producer: Henry Winkler, Mark Johnson
Screenwriter: Chris Columbus
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Adventure, Action, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 1985, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.1M
Runtime: 1h 49m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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