Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases

Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases – Newly Restored Silent Film Treasures

Cardiff, Wales – Sherlock Holmes fans worldwide have long awaited the restoration of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series, produced by Stoll Pictures between 1921 and 1923. Now, three newly restored episodes return to the screen in a special programme titled Silent Sherlock: Three Classic Cases.

The series, which ran for an extraordinary 45 episodes, was sanctioned by Arthur Conan Doyle himself, who praised Eille Norwood’s portrayal of Holmes. This restoration marks the final significant work in the Sherlock silent film canon to be revived, offering audiences a rare glimpse into the detective’s earliest cinematic adventures.

Programme Highlights

  • A Scandal in Bohemia (UK, 1921, dir. Maurice Elvey, 20’) Starring Eille Norwood, Hubert Willis, Joan Beverley Holmes and Watson match wits with an opera star intent on blackmailing a king, while Holmes encounters “the woman” who captures his admiration.
  • The Golden Pince-Nez (UK, 1921, dir. George Ridgwell, 20’) Starring Eille Norwood, Hubert Willis, Teddy Arundell Holmes investigates the murder of a scribe clutching a pince-nez, whose dying words implicate a mysterious professor.
  • The Final Problem (UK, 1921, dir. George Ridgwell, 20’) Starring Eille Norwood, Hubert Willis, Percy Standing Holmes and Watson travel across Europe in a desperate bid to escape the vengeance of Professor Moriarty.

Live Music & Special Features

Each episode is accompanied by newly commissioned scores from Joanna MacGregor, Neil Brand, and Joseph Havlat, recorded live at the Alexandra Palace Theatre. Following the screening, audiences will enjoy a recorded interview with Bryony Dixon, Curator of Silent Film at the BFI, who reveals the intricate details of the restoration process.

The restorations were made possible through Iron Mountain’s Living Legacy initiative, ensuring these historic films are preserved for future generations.

This event offers a rare opportunity to experience Holmes as audiences did a century ago — silent, subtitled, and accompanied by evocative live music — reaffirming the detective’s timeless appeal.