Though he remains faithful to the spirit of Conan Doyle in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, director Billy Wilder comes up with a film that is every bit as individualistic as his other productions. British stage luminary Robert Stephens plays Holmes, while Colin Blakely is his friend and chronicler Dr. Watson. This hitherto suppressed and thoroughly fascinating tale concerns Holmes search for a missing mining engineer--a case that may have a far-reaching effect on the national security of England. Along the way, Holmes falls in love for the first time in his life, with enigmatic foreign beauty Gabrielle Valladon (Genevieve Page). Wilders attempts to overemphasize such trendy elements as homosexuality (notably during the films amusing prologue) and drug addiction can be forgiven in the light of the directors (uncharacteristically) affectionate treatment of Holmes and Watson. Christopher Lee, a former screen Holmes himself, has a delightful cameo (minus toupee) as Sherlocks brother Mycroft Holmes. Heavily re-edited and rearranged both before and after its release, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes was a box-office disappointment when it first came out 1970. Since that time, its reputation has grown immeasurably, especially among those lucky enough to have seen a complete print. While it is hardly a classic in the manner of Sunset Blvd. or Some Like It Hot, this personal valentine to Holmes aficionados remains one of Billy Wilders most pleasurable films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide