# Seven-Per-Cent Solution, The (1976)

### reviewed by
Dragan Antulov

    THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION (1976)
    A Film Review
    Copyright Dragan Antulov 2000

Blurring the line between fiction and real history isn't just an accidental consequence of few recent Hollywood epics. Some authors actually see it as an intriguing creative experiment. One of such experiment is TIME AFTER TIME, movie that featured historical character of British author H.G. Wells equipped with the most famous fruit of his fiction - time machine. Nicholas Meyer, director of this film, obviously likes these experiments, judging by his novel THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION, in which he paired fictious character of Sherlock Holmes with one of his most famous real life contemporary. The novel was adapted for screen in 1976 and directed by Herbert Ross.

The story is set in 1891, year that corresponds with the time when Arthur Conan Doyle, real-life creator of Sherlock Holmes, tried to kill off his most successful creation (and was forced to revive him three years later, after being pressured by multitude of angry fans). Meyer's novel and script give an alternative explanation for the three-year absence of Holmes, using some subtle hints given by Doyle. In the beginning of the film Sherlock Holmes (played by Nicolas Williamson) is obsessed with Professor Moriarty (played by Laurence Olivier), whom he accuses of being head of all-powerful criminal organisation. Holmes' partner Doctor Watson (played by Robert Duvall) actually finds Moriarty to be nothing more than pathetic old man, who used to be Holmes' nemesis in childhood as his mathematics tutor. The real reason for Holmes' paranoid delusions lies in his decades-long cocaine addiction, which recently entered terminal phase. Watson wants to cure his friend of such affliction, but late 19th Century medicine is still unable to cope with such complex psychological problems. The only glimmer of hope lies in young and controversial physician from Vienna named Siegmund Freud (played by Alan Arkin), who recently published scientific article about cocaine addiction. Watson tricks Holmes into travelling to Vienna, where Freud would use his new psychiatric methods in order to cure the detective from his addiction. The treatment is successful and Holmes, recuperated and refreshed, is ready to return the favour by offering to help another of Freud's patients - famous actress Lola Deveraux (played by Vanessa Redgrave). She had recently escaped bunch of mysterious captors who had abducted her and drugged her with cocaine. Both Holmes and Freud feel personally motivated to find the perpetrators of this crime and join forces in order to solve this mystery.

THE SEVEN-PER-CENT SOLUTION has anything a good period film should possess - small army of very talented British actors, great care about period details, attractive Viennese locations, and finally, very intriguing script with lot of references interesting to history buffs. British cast, led by always reliable Nicol Williamson, is supported by excellent Robert Duvall (whose British accent seems genuine, at least to the untrained ears belonging to the author of this review) and very good Alan Arkin. Unfortunately, the general impression of the film is not that good. Basically, the plot is interesting in the first half, when we are exposed to the dark, unexplored side of Sherlock Holmes character and Meyer's often amusing revisionist speculations about the true background for Doyle's original stories. But, later, when Holmes finishes his business with Freud, film doesn't stop and instead we are witnessing standard, and rather weak crime mystery, saved only with few humorous remarks. In it Holmes and his friends must use their muscles more than Holmes' brain, but the action isn't that spectacular, and the finale, that even features swashbuckling scene is more corny than realistic. However, general impression of the film is more than good - great care about period details and obvious fondness authors feel for the Gilded Age made this rather charming, although imperfect example of Hollywood craftsmanship.

    RATING: 7/10 (+++)

    Review written on March 3rd 2000

    Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
    Fido: 2:381/100
    E-mail: dragan.antulov@st.tel.hr
    E-mail: drax@purger.com
    E-mail: dragan.antulov@altbbs.fido.hr

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