The Hound of the Baskervilles
5.9/10 · 1,270 ratings20001h 30mWeirdness 7/10
JustWatchThe premise
The mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville is blamed on a longstanding curse that has followed his family for 200 years, a supernatural hound who roams the moors. Detective Sherlock Holmes attempts to uncover the truth.
How unusual is it?
More than most. Royalty, mistaken identity and a historical setting push it well past the usual Hallmark template — the strangest 12% of everything we've logged.
Who’s in it
Behind the camera
ShowHide
Directed by
Written by
Wait, what?
The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.
- A giant dog painted with glowing phosphorus
- A detective hiding in a prehistoric stone hut eating scraps
- A 'sister' who is actually a wife being used as romantic bait
- The protagonist being described as a 'sacrificial lamb' by his best friend
- The strangely translated dialogue in the source text like 'Charingkroskata hospital'
Every trope, all in one place
Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 32 to find more movies that do the same thing.
Time & season3
Characters7
Tone & quirks3
How it ends2
How it all plays out
Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.
Full story (spoilers)
The film begins at 221B Baker Street where Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson analyze a walking stick belonging to Dr. James Mortimer. Mortimer arrives to report the death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who died of a heart attack in his garden, seemingly chased by a giant hound. Mortimer recounts the 1642 legend of Sir Hugo Baskerville, a cruel man killed by a hellhound after kidnapping a girl. Sir Henry Baskerville, the heir from Canada, arrives in London and receives a warning note made of cut-out Times newspaper words. After a boot is stolen from Henry's hotel, Holmes sends Watson to accompany Henry to Baskerville Hall while Holmes remains in London. Upon arrival, they meet the butler Barrymore and his wife, who are acting suspiciously. Watson meets Jack Stapleton, a naturalist, and his sister Beryl, who mistakenly warns Watson (thinking he is Henry) to leave the moor immediately. The plot thickens when it is revealed that an escaped convict named Seldon is hiding on the moor and is actually Mrs. Barrymore's brother. Watson discovers that Sir Charles was waiting for a woman named Laura Lyons (L.L.) on the night he died. Holmes eventually reveals he has been hiding on the moor all along to conduct a secret investigation. He discovers that Stapleton is actually a Baskerville heir who used a giant dog, painted with phosphorus to look demonic, to kill Sir Charles. Stapleton had also stolen Henry's boot to give the hound Henry's scent. In the climax, Holmes uses Sir Henry as bait at Stapleton's house. The hound attacks Henry, but Holmes and Watson shoot it. Stapleton attempts to flee across the treacherous Grimpen Mire but loses his footing and sinks to his death. Beryl, who was actually Stapleton's wife and not his sister, is rescued, and the curse of the Baskervilles is finally debunked.
Beat by beat
Opening
Dr. Mortimer presents Holmes with the legend of the Hound and the suspicious circumstances of Sir Charles Baskerville's death.
Inciting Incident
Sir Henry Baskerville arrives in London, receives a threatening letter, and has a boot stolen, prompting Holmes to take the case.
Midpoint
Watson discovers the Barrymores are feeding an escaped convict on the moor, and Beryl Stapleton gives a cryptic warning to leave.
Plot Twist
Holmes is revealed to have been living in a stone hut on the moor to observe the suspects without their knowledge.
Climax
The 'Hell Hound' attacks Sir Henry after a dinner at the Stapletons', but Holmes and Watson kill the beast.
Resolution
Stapleton drowns in the Grimpen Mire while trying to escape, and his true identity as a Baskerville heir is revealed.
32 tropes in one movie
We counted 32 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.
The backstory
- Based on The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Hound of the Baskervilles is a Canadian television film directed by Rodney Gibbons and starring Matt Frewer and Kenneth Welsh. The film is based on Arthur Conan Doyle's 1902 Sherlock Holmes novel of the same name.
How it stacks up
Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.
Higher-rated than 15% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.
Where this one fits
The corners of the catalog The Hound of the Baskervilles belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.
Lines worth quoting
The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.
“If prices or insane life... Stay away from the swamp.”
— The Warning NoteThe cryptic message sent to Sir Henry in London. “There nothing more deceptive than the obvious.”
— Dr. Watson (quoting Holmes)Discussing the evidence of the hound. “Jack revive an ancient curse and the infernal greyhound, only to be blown away by her in Hell.”
— Sherlock HolmesExplaining Stapleton's motive and fate.
Meet the characters
Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.
Sherlock Holmes
LeadConsulting Detective
AnalyticalArrogantMaster of disguiseObservantSir Henry Baskerville
LeadHeir to Baskerville Hall
Client
PracticalSkepticalCourageousBeryl Stapleton
Love interestAccomplice (under duress)
Love interest of Sir Henry
FearfulBeautifulConflictedJack Stapleton
AntagonistNaturalist
Neighbor and secret relative
DeceptiveCunningRuthlessDr. John Watson
SupportingDoctor and Biographer
Partner and best friend
LoyalBraveLiteral-minded
Questions people ask about The Hound of the Baskervilles
Where can I watch The Hound of the Baskervilles?
The Hound of the Baskervilles is available via fuboTV, Cineverse, and The Roku Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.
Is The Hound of the Baskervilles based on a book?
Yes. The Hound of the Baskervilles is based on The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle.
How long is The Hound of the Baskervilles?
The Hound of the Baskervilles runs about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and was released in 2000.
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Data and sources
Curated by the Talking Hallmark team.Last updated .