Pursuit to Algiers

With Christmas approaching and time getting shorter, I really didn't want to run the risk of my last post of 2016 to be about a bad film. So to end(?) on a high, or at least ensure the last few posts are positive, let's talk about the 1945 Pursuit to Algiers! 'Who, what, where, why?' you cry but this post-war Sherlock Holmes adventure is well worth a quick watch for any old-fashioned detective film fan.

Starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as the bumbling Watson, the series began in 1939 with a Victorian era adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novels. But with war around the corner, the series soon adapted to the modern day with almost propaganda-esque stories, encouraging the nation to brace themselves and to pull together. Pursuit to Algiers is number 12 of 14 Rathbone/Bruce adventures so this is an odd place to start but with each entry taking on a new mission, this is a very accessible film for anyone not afraid of black and white.

With a slight sense that their toughest adventures were behind them, the story begins with the two friends planning a trip to the Scottish outdoors and escape foggy old London. But it's not long before they're recruited to save the heir of a European country after his father's assassination and to get him home safely by ferry. It's a very simple premise that has been used time and time again since but it works to the films advantage with producing a tightly constructed flick that's less about whodunit and more who will do it.

Despite having seen the odd classic Sherlock Holmes film here and there, this was an easy watch and the interplay between the duo was great. The story is neatly handled and confining the action to a small ship added variety to the series. That said, these types of films will not be to everyone's taste but if you are interested, this certainly isn't a bad place to start and is very entertaining.