Back to trending
Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

Mystery · Thriller · Crime · 1942

In the midst of World War II, Sherlock Holmes rescues the Swiss inventor of a new bomb-sight from the Gestapo and brings him to England, where he quickly falls into the clutches of the evil Professor Moriarty.

Movie details

Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon

“Suspense! Thrills! Adventure!”

1942 Mystery · Thriller · Crime 1h 8m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.4 / 10

Community rating

In the midst of World War II, Sherlock Holmes rescues the Swiss inventor of a new bomb-sight from the Gestapo and brings him to England, where he quickly falls into the clutches of the evil Professor Moriarty.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror

Crime · 1942

England, at the start of World War Two. Mysterious wireless broadcasts, apparently from Nazi Germany are heard over the BBC. They warn of acts of terror in England, just before they take place. Baffled, the Defense Committee call in Sherlock Holmes.

23 Paces to Baker Street

23 Paces to Baker Street

Crime · 1956

Philip Hannon, a blind playwright living in London, overhears part of a conversation , that leads him into a desperate race, to find a kidnapped child. When he gets no help from the police, he along with his butler, and his ex fiancée, attempt to track down the crooks.

Sherlock Holmes in Washington

Sherlock Holmes in Washington

Mystery · 1943

In World War II, a British secret agent carrying a vitally important document is kidnapped en route to Washington. The British government calls on Sherlock Holmes to recover it.

Ministry of Fear

Ministry of Fear

Crime · 1944

Stephen Neale is released into WWII England after two years in an asylum, but it doesn't seem so sane outside either. On his way back to London to rejoin civilization, he stumbles across a murderous spy ring and doesn't quite know to whom to turn.

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death

Sherlock Holmes Faces Death

Mystery · 1943

During WWII several murders occur at a convalescent home where Dr. Watson has volunteered his services. He summons Holmes for help and the master detective proceeds to solve the crime from a long list of suspects including the owners of the home, the staff and the patients recovering there.

The House of Fear

The House of Fear

Mystery · 1945

The Good Comrades are a collection of varied gentlemen who crave one thing - solitude. They reside at Drearcliff House, ancestral home of their eldest member. All seems serene and convivial until one by one the members begin to perish in the most grisly of manners. Foul play is suspected by the Good Comrades' insurance agent, who turns to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson for guidance.

The Scarlet Claw

The Scarlet Claw

Mystery · 1944

When a woman is found dead with her throat torn out, the local villagers blame a supernatural monster. But Sherlock Holmes, who gets drawn into the case from nearby Quebec, suspects a human murderer.

Source Code

Source Code

Thriller · 2011

When decorated soldier Captain Colter Stevens wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.

The Pearl of Death

The Pearl of Death

Thriller · 1944

The famous Borgia Pearl, a valuable gem with a history of bringing murder and misfortune to its owner since the days of the Borgias, is brought to London, thanks in part to Sherlock Holmes. But before long the jewel is stolen, due to an error on Holmes' part, and shortly thereafter, a series of horrible murders begin, the murderer leaving his victims with their spines snapped and surrounded by a mass of smashed china.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Mystery · 1939

When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.

Where it lives

Watch in your region.

Cinema release signals and current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region.

Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Roy William Neill

Written by

Scott Darling · Edward T. Lowe Jr. · Edmund L. Hartmann · Arthur Conan Doyle

Basil Rathbone

Basil Rathbone

Sherlock Holmes

Nigel Bruce

Nigel Bruce

Doctor Watson

Lionel Atwill

Lionel Atwill

Professor Moriarty

William Post Jr.

William Post Jr.

Dr. Franz Tobel

Kaaren Verne

Kaaren Verne

Charlotte Eberli

Dennis Hoey

Dennis Hoey

Inspector Lestrade

Holmes Herbert

Holmes Herbert

Sir Reginald

Court is in session

Put Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Big-Idea Head

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.