Terror by night (1946)

Terror by night (1946)

6/10

Starring

Basil Rathbone

Nigel Bruce

Directed by Roy William Neill

Terror by Night is the thirteenth film in the Sherlock Holmes series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, directed by Roy William Neill. It’s based on the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and although the movie’s story is original, it borrows plot elements from some of Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including The Adventure of the Empty House, The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax, and The Sign of the Four.
The movie has more twists and turns than a doorknob. Just when you think things are going one way, the writer (Frank Gruber) takes you on another turn. Shot mostly on a train set, I have to give kudos to the cinematography—at no point in the movie do you feel any sense of cramped shots. The screenplay is also impressive; the twists are so frequent that the writer had to be at the top of his game to avoid leaving too many loose ends and confusing the viewers.
Then there’s the obvious switch Sherlock makes when he’s shown the diamond. You’ll notice the switch, and at first, I wondered why they made it so noticeable. Little did I know it was all part of a bigger plot.
The movie’s plot revolves around a diamond so valuable that the owner’s son hires Sherlock Holmes to guard it while it’s being transported to Scotland by train. During the journey, the diamond is stolen, and a murder is committed. Since the train is still in motion, it’s clear that the murderer is still on board. Now, Holmes and Watson must find the culprit before the train reaches its final stop.
The movie does show a sort of lack of emotion in the character of Lady Margaret. While this was part of the plot and even commented on by other characters, it didn’t sit well with me as a viewer. Also, while death is expected at some point, the death of Roland was a turn-off for me—it was completely unexpected.
The movie’s twists and turns are worth seeing. Although it’s not as captivating or as fun as Pursuit to Algiers, it does showcase good writing and direction from Frank Gruber and Roy William Neill.
It’s a nice DVD to add to your collection.

What I love most about this film is how it keeps you guessing until the very end. The confined setting of the train adds a layer of tension, making every interaction feel charged with suspicion. Rathbone’s Holmes is as sharp as ever, and Bruce’s Watson provides just the right balance of humor and loyalty. While not perfect, it’s a solid entry in the series, blending mystery, suspense, and a touch of that classic Holmes charm. If you’re a fan of clever whodunits, this one’s worth the ride.