The production design by Ken Adam, who worked on many of the Bond films, brings much of Victorian England and Vienna to life. Nicholas Meyer's story is directed by Herbert Ross. This time Meyer has Sherlock Holmes meet Sigmund Freud. Williamson plays a manic Holmes, who has a serious addiction to cocaine. His paranoia of Professor Moriarty (Laurence Olivier in a cameo) being a master criminal at the heart of all of London's crime, is simply part of a deeper psychological issue. Duvall plays Holmes' sober and caring friend Dr. Watson, who plans a scheme with Mycroft to get Holmes to Vienna where Freud can help him. Arkin plays Dr. Sigmund Freud. Often pop culture portrays a stereotypical Freud, who is obsessed with sexual symbols and wildly misinterprets dreams, but this version of Freud has more in common with Holmes and his scientific method. The effects of addiction and withdrawal are more honestly dealt with, and since Meyer is a big fan of Conan Doyle, the movie references several plot points from the original mysteries. Moriarty is dealt with in a completely unique way. And Jeremy Kemp plays a villainous Baron out to discredit Freud and escape Holmes. There is a fairly exciting train chase. Though the historical details all looks quite proper, its delivery is a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Great script and cast.