In an exciting development for film enthusiasts and Sherlock Holmes fans alike, a series of Sherlock Holmes films originally released over a century ago is undergoing restoration, making them ready for screening for the first time since 1922. This monumental project involves the revival of forty-five films featuring the legendary detective, produced during the early 1920s, and is a significant endeavor by the British Film Institute (BFI).
A Glimpse into the Restoration Process
The reels of these classic films were retrieved from the BFI National Archive vault for inspection, where they are currently being meticulously cleaned, digitized, and tinted. Three of the restored films will debut at the Alexandra Palace Theatre in North London on October 16 as part of the BFI London Film Festival. Bryony Dixon, the BFI’s silent film curator, noted, “There’s been a demand for these for years. People are waiting with bated breath for basically the last of the silent Sherlock Holmes films—the last ones to be restored in the whole world. The Stoll Sherlock Holmes series has never been publicly available. We hope to do it proud—but it is a big project.”
Sherlock Holmes: A Timeless Icon
Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective residing at 221B Baker Street, is one of London’s most beloved literary characters. He has been portrayed by a multitude of actors, from Michael Caine and Ian McKellen to more contemporary figures like Benedict Cumberbatch and Henry Cavill. In the films undergoing restoration, Eille Norwood takes on the role of the famous sleuth, a performance that received high praise from the original author Arthur Conan Doyle, who remarked on Norwood’s “wonderful impersonation” of the character.
The Intricate Restoration Journey
The restoration process begins in the BFI National Archive located in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Here, the delicate century-old films are unwound onto a lightbox, where each frame is inspected with care. Elena Nepoti, the film conservation manager, likens this stage to a “moment of joy,” filled with both excitement and apprehension. “Every time you take some nitrate from the vault, there’s always a sense of joy—and fear,” she adds.
Once inspected, the films undergo a careful cleaning process by hand before being sent for digitization. In a darkened room, Ben Thompson works to stabilize the picture, reduce blurriness, eliminate flickers, and remove dirt. He recalls examining a scene from The Golden Pince-Nez from 1922, pointing out, “This is the first shot in a reel, so this has at some point been on the floor—as the projectionist is rewinding. This is historic dirt we’re looking at.”
To restore areas affected by scratches or marks, Thompson employs sophisticated software, matching damaged sections with equivalent areas in adjacent frames. He explains, “It works tremendously well when tidying up these large regions where there are scratches. But if there is movement between frames, it won’t match up, and this is where the long nights come in.”
Preserving Cinematic History
The BFI restorers play the role of sleuths themselves, striving to recreate the original appearance of the Sherlock Holmes films. Often, they rely on safety stock created in the 1950s, which was produced to preserve these films in case the volatile nitrate originals were lost.
A noteworthy aspect of the restoration is the careful tinting of the restored films. Certain scenes are tinted blue to signify night or flashback moments, while others are given an orange hue to reflect the glow of electric light.
The three restored films—A Scandal in Bohemia, The Golden Pince-Nez, and The Final Problem—will be screened with a live score specially composed and performed by the Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble, conducted by Joanna MacGregor.
As anticipation builds for the screening of these historic Sherlock Holmes films, the restoration project not only aims to preserve the legacy of one of literature’s most enduring characters but also to offer audiences a unique opportunity to experience cinema as it was over a century ago. This endeavor serves as a testament to the ongoing fascination with Sherlock Holmes and the timeless allure of classic film.
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