The Sign Of Four Parent Guide
Parent Movie Review
Today’s movies often leave us rooting for bad guys who’ve been shaped into heroes. So, if you’re yearning for an old-fashioned film where villains are villains and the good guys always get their man, try Hallmark’s The Sign Of Four, featuring the reliable Sherlock Holmes (Matt Frewer) and his dependable assistant Dr. Watson (Kenneth Welsh).
In colonial India, four members of the British army believe they have hatched the perfect crime. Committing murder and stealing a princely treasure, the thieves plan to hide their spoils until completing their military service. Capping the promise to divvy up the take with a blood oath—signed, sealed, delivered—the conspirators are sure all is theirs. Indubitably the foursome is not quite slippery enough to evade the authorities, and soon land in prison.
Many years later in jolly old England, the mystery of the missing treasure comes to Holmes’ attention when Miss Morstan (Sophie Lorain), daughter of a serviceman stationed in India, confides in the famous investigator that an anonymous person has sent her a precious pearl each year since her father’s disappearance. The plot becomes more complex as Thaddeus Sholto (Marcel Jeannin) comes forward with a story about his dad, a former military man who claimed to be the owner of a great fortune but died before revealing its location. With the game afoot, it is now up to the detective duo to find the filthy lucre, solve the crime, and get to the root of all evil.
Like most of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, the plot concentrates on the puzzle, although parents will want to take note that the film gets off to an intense start. Youngsters may be disturbed by the depictions of killing and the eerie frozen facial expressions on unfortunate chaps who fall victim to poisoned darts.
For your next family movie night the choice is elementary: this engaging wicked web of deception will task your deducting skills with who’s good, who’s bad, and why. Putting human weakness under the magnifying glass, the story examines the ultimate corruption of those gullible enough to be caught in greed’s grasp.
Starring Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh. Updated July 17, 2017
The Sign Of Four
Rating & Content Info
Why is The Sign Of Four rated Not Rated? The Sign Of Four is rated Not Rated by the MPAA
Overall: B
When treasure stolen in India many years previous starts showing up in England, Holmes and Watson do their best to solve this murder and greed filled mystery. Families will enjoy making their own deductions as human character is put on trial, but the youngest members of your investigative team may be disturbed by some gruesome portrayals.
Violence: C
Characters are killed by poisoned darts, stabbed, or die of fright. Swords are drawn. Gunfight occurs between police and villains.
Sexual Content: A
None.
Language: B
At least: 5 mild profanities, and 3 terms of Deity used as expletives.
Alcohol / Drug Use: B
Characters smoke pipes and drink occasionally. Poison is used on darts. An antidote is administered by injection.
Miscellaneous Concerns: Characters who die from the poisoned darts are shown with distorted facial expressions. Contains some negative police portrayals.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
The Sign Of Four Parents' Guide
Holmes immediately suspects his client, the young and attractive Miss Morstan, of being a gold digger. Why is he so quick to jump to that conclusion? What factors influence your judgment of another’s character?
Even in the face of death, one character refuses to share the treasure, even if the money could benefit others. Why does he feel this way? Are his feelings justifiable?
Sherlock Holmes is the creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. To learn more about this fictitious sleuth, www.sherlockian.net provides answers to every conceivable question through links to numerous sources of information. You can also visit the famous residence (turned museum) at www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk.
Home Video
Related home video titles:
For another Sherlock Holmes tale, check out The Hound Of The Baskervilles. The pitfalls of greed are also the theme of The Emperor’s New Groove (appropriate for very young viewers) and Quiz Show (more likely to appeal to an older crowd).