While it has its strong points, Pursuit to Algiers is a low point in the latter days of the Universal Holmes series. Though superior to the first three films, I'd only give this 5½ stars on a scale of 1-10. In many ways, it is, as some critics have called it "Sherlock Holmes meets Love Boat." An intriguing premise is largely overshadowed by numerous musical numbers, and a rather too drawn-out ocean voyage that never seems to generate the suspense it seeks.
Nigel Bruce has a fine moment as Watson in this installment, however...perhaps his finest in the series...a touching, if brief, glimpse into the good doctor's depth of feeling for his renowned friend. Still, a similar moment can be found in The Spider Woman...which, in all other regards, is a better film than Pursuit to Algiers. So take that for what it's worth. Still, it is a high point in the film, and deserves mention.
Overall, the film is similar in many respects to the entry which immediately follows it...Terror By Night. Terror By Night is, however, a much more satisfying installment, and could even be viewed as a superior alternative to Pursuit to Algiers. For completists, this entry is, of course, compulsory viewing. But for those who are simply looking for an entertaining Holmes mystery, I'd suggest The Scarlet Claw, The Woman In Green, The Spider Woman, The House of Fear, or The Pearl of Death as a better choice. Or, for a similar story to that presented in Pursuit to Algiers...a voyage, a missing gem, several suspects wrapped up in a traditional whodunit...I'd suggest Terror By Night.
This is, by no means, a bad film...it just fails to live up to the standard set by many of the films that came before it (and carried on by the two which followed it). It is head and shoulders above the first three Nazi-busting spy films in the series, which seem nonsensical in the context of Sherlock Holmes cinema, but is perhaps the least of the latter films.
Nigel Bruce has a fine moment as Watson in this installment, however...perhaps his finest in the series...a touching, if brief, glimpse into the good doctor's depth of feeling for his renowned friend. Still, a similar moment can be found in The Spider Woman...which, in all other regards, is a better film than Pursuit to Algiers. So take that for what it's worth. Still, it is a high point in the film, and deserves mention.
Overall, the film is similar in many respects to the entry which immediately follows it...Terror By Night. Terror By Night is, however, a much more satisfying installment, and could even be viewed as a superior alternative to Pursuit to Algiers. For completists, this entry is, of course, compulsory viewing. But for those who are simply looking for an entertaining Holmes mystery, I'd suggest The Scarlet Claw, The Woman In Green, The Spider Woman, The House of Fear, or The Pearl of Death as a better choice. Or, for a similar story to that presented in Pursuit to Algiers...a voyage, a missing gem, several suspects wrapped up in a traditional whodunit...I'd suggest Terror By Night.
This is, by no means, a bad film...it just fails to live up to the standard set by many of the films that came before it (and carried on by the two which followed it). It is head and shoulders above the first three Nazi-busting spy films in the series, which seem nonsensical in the context of Sherlock Holmes cinema, but is perhaps the least of the latter films.