The Sea Wolves (1980)

In the Indian Ocean during World War II, the Germans are sinking British ships with astonishing regularity.  It is as if the Germans know when and where to find the ships.  It is suspected that the Germans have a spy in the Portuguese port of Goa on the west coast of India.  Indeed, three German ships are anchored in the harbor but the Portuguese - who are neutral in the war - have removed the radios.  Colonel Lewis Pugh (Gregory Peck) and Captain Gavin Stewart (Roger Moore) travel to Goa to investigate.  While there, attempts are made on their lives and they conclude that a secret radio is on one of the German ships.  Again, as this is a neutral port, British commandos can't just attack.  Instead, Colonel Pugh calls upon the Calcutta Light Horse, a group of retired soldiers who are eager to help the war effort.  Colonel William "Bill" Grice (David Niven) is their commanding officer.  They plan to sail a junker of an Indian riverboat into Goa harbor and assault the German ships by surprise.  Major Crossley (Patrick Macnee) is an explosives expert who will make sure all the German ships are sunk.  Can a bunch of middle-aged and out of shape former soldiers pull off a daring assault?

While Colonel Pugh leads the assault, Captain Stewart and Jack Cartwright (Trevor Howard) plan a variety of distractions for the night of the raid: a high-end party, a fireworks show, and free brothels paid by an eccentric German philanthropist!  Not one to be all business, James Bond... er... Gavin Stewart finds time to romance Mrs. Cromwell (Barbara Kellerman).  Of course, he does not realize that she is a German spy who is having a hard time deciding if she should kill him or not.  Gee, that doesn't sound like a retread of The Spy Who Loved Me.

Made by the same team that produced The Wild Geese, the original casting had hoped to include Richard Burton and Richard Harris as Pugh and Grice.  The movie does have a Wild Geese feel to it with a batch of older men playing soldier in this off-the-books raid.  The movie delivers what it promises, a commando raid by retirees, but it fails to have memorable characters or particularly good action scenes.  The most interesting characters were James Bond... er... Gavin Stewart and Jack Cartwright.  Trevor Howard, who is usually the commander in such films, is here a retiree desperate for action and willing to take any role.  He can be cantankerous, funny, and oddly charming.  Something of a departure for him, at least of the roles I've seen of his.

This is based on a true story and the historical photos of Pugh, Stewart, and Grice are shown in the credits.  Even so, it is just okay.

Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady (1991)

In 1910, a Viennese inventor has created a remote detonator.  He views this as extremely dangerous and decides that only the British can be trusted with it.  No sooner has it been handed to the British ambassador than a thief grabs the case and flees.  The inventor gives chase, following the criminal into a theater.  A struggle ensues in the rafters and the inventor plummets to his death on the stage.

In London, Mycroft Holmes demands that his brother depart for Vienna immediately and recover both the prototype of the detonator and the plans.  Though he initially objects, Holmes (Christopher Lee) soon agrees; he and Watson (Patrick Macnee) are bound for Vienna.  Upon arrival, they start with the scene of the crime before migrating to the theater.  Who should be the leading lady but Irene Adler (Morgan Fairchild).  While Holmes and Watson investigate, the thieves plot what to do with both the blueprints to the device and the prototype.  The thieves are Serbs who detest the Austro-Hungarian Empire and want to strike a blow with the detonator.  To complicate matters, Holmes is helped, or more likely hindered, by an over-eager embassy employee, Simpson-Makepeace.  Then there is a peculiar American, Mr. Elliot, who is enamored of Miss Adler, but strangely curious about the missing detonator.

This three-part miniseries is quite slow.  For as much time as it has to develop the characters, it doesn't.  Irene is determined to seduce Sherlock, who proves oblivious to her efforts.  He is interested in nothing but his investigation.  The villains are murderous - or not - depending on the needs of the plot at that time.  For instance, they were more than willing to kill Irene - accidentally getting a different woman - at one point but then later go to the trouble of kidnapping her.  Given why they did it, there was no point in keeping her alive.  When they have the drop on Holmes, they start monologuing rather than shooting.  Is the scriptwriter familiar with Arthur Conan Doyle's work?  As both Lee and Macnee were in their late sixties when this was made, the action is limited.  Watson chasing a drunkard across town is played for laughs.

As it takes place in Vienna in 1910, it was a requirement that Sigmund Freud appear.  Indeed, he has a large role both in hypnotizing a witness and then accompanying Holmes to replace Watson, who was otherwise engaged.  The inclusion of Freud is just schtick.  For a much better appearance of Freud with Holmes, watch The Seven-Per-Cent Solution instead.

Lee is not a convincing Holmes.  He looks the part, but he lacks the energetic spark.  When Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone had an insight, they would talk at lightning speed, their tongue barely keeping pace with their thoughts.  There is more thinking to be done so these Holmes communicate quickly so they can get back to the more important task of deduction.  By contrast, Lee has this deep sonorous voice that will not be rushed.  His insights are offered in a deliberative speech; it's not as if he has anything else to do than explain to his fellows.  However, this is an older Holmes, so I may be quibbling.  That his deductions were run-of-the-mill did not help.  There is a lot of filler that doesn't advance the story.

Mediocre.  Skip.