---
name: "Basil Rathbone"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/basil-rathbone"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 June 1892"
died: "21 July 1967"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-09-19T23:39:29.743209+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Basil Rathbone

Actor. Born 13 June 1892 in Johannesburg, South African Republic. Died 21 July 1967.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 June 1892, Johannesburg, South African Republic
- **Died:** 21 July 1967
- **Active:** 1935–1938
- **Also known as:** Philip St. John Basil Rathbone, Бэзил Рэтбоун
- **Frequently works with:** [Edna May Oliver](https://film.one/person/edna-may-oliver.md), [David O. Selznick](https://film.one/person/david-o-selznick.md), [Errol Flynn](https://film.one/person/errol-flynn.md), [George Cukor](https://film.one/person/george-cukor.md), [Michael Curtiz](https://film.one/person/michael-curtiz.md), [Olivia de Havilland](https://film.one/person/olivia-de-havilland.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscar nominations
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 4, Romance 4, Drama 3, Action 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $7m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Rathbone, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q336865, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001651/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8727

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*The Adventures of Robin Hood*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood.md) (90)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Basil Rathbone

> Rathbone's villains do their damage quietly: he lowers the voice where other actors raise it, and he fences well enough to make a hero look good. Fourteen films as Sherlock Holmes fixed his face on the part and hid most of the rest.

Watch what Basil Rathbone does with his hand in *David Copperfield* (1935). Murdstone stands in the parlour with it resting on Clara's shoulder, and Freddie Bartholomew's face tells us everything the novel takes three pages to say. When the beating comes, George Cukor keeps it on the boy and the door. Rathbone never raises his voice; he lowers it, and it frightened us more than any amount of shouting would have, because he makes Murdstone sound like a man who has already decided what he is going to do.

That is the Rathbone method, and Hollywood found it useful. He had come up on the stage, in Shakespeare with Frank Benson's company from 1911, made silent films from 1921 and arrived in the talkies in 1929 with a voice built for period dialogue and a profile built for villainy. The studios cast accordingly. In *Captain Blood* (1935) he turns up an hour in as Levasseur, a French pirate who is quiet and amused after sixty minutes of Atwill shouting, and the film gets its only villain worth the name. He and Errol Flynn fight on a beach, Ernest Haller and Hal Mohr shooting them in the surf with the light off the water behind them and George Amy cutting so we see every exchange whole. Rathbone is plainly the better fencer and spends the scene making Flynn look good, which is generosity of a rare kind. They made three films together; the best known is *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938), with Rathbone as Sir Guy of Gisbourne, and Tybalt in *Romeo and Juliet* (1936) sits between them.

Then came *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1939), and Holmes. Fourteen films to 1946, eleven of them directed by Roy William Neill, all of them with Nigel Bruce as Watson, and more than two hundred radio broadcasts besides. The hawk's profile, the precise enunciation and the coolness that had made the villains so alarming turned out to be exactly what the detective needed, and the picture of Holmes most people carry in their heads is still Rathbone's. He minded. "I played Holmes for seven years, and nobody thought I could do anything else," he said, and the films he made after leaving the series, cheaper horror and fantasy pictures and parts that sent up his own manner, suggest nobody did.

We have not reviewed the Holmes films, so we will not judge them here. What we can say is that the two performances we have looked at closely, Murdstone and Levasseur, use the same equipment the detective later did: stillness, a lowered voice, a long face that gives nothing away. The part that fixed him was made of the parts that made him. Start with the villains, before 1939, and notice how little he needs to do. Then watch the Holmes films, if you like, and see how much of that he had to keep doing.

## Biography

Basil Rathbone (born Philip St. John Basil Rathbone) was an English actor. Born in Johannesburg in 1892 and raised in England, he began his career as a Shakespearean stage actor before moving into film in the 1920s.

He appeared in more than 70 films, often in costume dramas and swashbucklers, frequently playing suave villains. Notable early roles include Mr. Edward Murdstone in *David Copperfield* (1935) and Levasseur in *Captain Blood* (1935). He is best known for portraying Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films made between 1939 and 1946, as well as in a radio series.

Rathbone also worked in theatre and television. He received a Tony Award in 1948 for Best Actor in a Play. He died in 1967.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938), Fi1m 90, as Sir Guy of Gisbourne — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood.md)
- *Romeo and Juliet* (1936), Fi1m 63, as Tybalt — [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-and-juliet.md)
- *A Tale of Two Cities* (1935), Fi1m 76, as Marquis St. Evremonde — [page](https://film.one/film/a-tale-of-two-cities.md)
- *Captain Blood* (1935), Fi1m 80, as Levasseur — [page](https://film.one/film/captain-blood.md)
- *David Copperfield* (1935), Fi1m 81, as Mr. Edward Murdstone — [page](https://film.one/film/david-copperfield.md)

## Complete filmography (119)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes* (1996), Actor
- *Dracula in the Movies* (1992), as (archive footage)
- *Frankenstein: A Cinematic Scrapbook* (1991), as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein (archive footage)
- *The Great Mouse Detective* (1986), as Sherlock Holmes (voice)
- *The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes* (1985), as Sherlock Holmes (archive footage)
- *The Horror of It All* (1983), as Carmichael (archive footage)
- *The Horror Show* (1979), as (archive footage)
- *Madhouse* (1974), as Basil (archive footage)
- *Autopsy of a Ghost* (1968), as Canuto Pérez
- *Hillbillys in a Haunted House* (1967), as Gregor
- *Soldier in Love* (1967), as Duke of York
- *Summer Fun* (1966), series, Actor
- *The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini* (1966), as Reginald Ripper
- *Queen of Blood* (1966), as Dr. Farraday
- *Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet* (1965), as Prof. Hartman, Lunar 7
- *The Comedy of Terrors* (1964), as John F. Black
- *Burke's Law* (1963), series, as Milo James
- *Two Before Zero* (1962), Actor
- *Tales of Terror* (1962), as Carmichael ("The Case of M. Valdemar")
- *The Magic Sword* (1962), as Lodac
- *Pontius Pilate* (1962), as Caiaphas
- *Victoria Regina* (1961), as Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfield)
- *Dr. Kildare* (1961), series, as Frederick Foray
- *Mystic Prophecies and Nostradamus* (1961), as Narrator
- *The Black Cat* (1960), Actor
- *A Christmas Carol* (1959), as Scrooge
- *Tales from Dickens* (1959), series, as Scrooge
- *The Last Hurrah* (1958), as Norman Cass Sr.
- *Aladdin* (1958), as Emperor
- *Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates* (1958), as Dr. Boekman
- *DuPont Show of the Month* (1957), series, as Emperor
- *The Lark* (1957), as Chief Inquisitor
- *The Stingiest Man in Town* (1956), as Ebenezer Scrooge
- *The Black Sleep* (1956), as Sir Joel Cadman
- *Affair in Sumatra* (1956), as Paul Charters
- *The Court Jester* (1955), as Sir Ravenhurst
- *Screen Director's Playhouse* (1955), series, as Paul Charters
- *We're No Angels* (1955), as Andre Trochard
- *A Christmas Carol* (1954), as Marley's Ghost
- *The General's Boots* (1954), as General Lee
- *Casanova's Big Night* (1954), as Lucio / Narrator
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Inquisitor, Dr. Boekman, Lord Beaconsfield, The Duke of York
- *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as The Jewel Thief
- *The Jack Benny Program* (1950), series, as Basil Rathbone
- *Lux Video Theatre* (1950), series, as Frampton, Sir Paul Maxim, Ambrose Wallington
- *Your Show of Shows* (1950), series, Actor
- *The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad* (1949), as Narrator (segment "The Wind in the Willows")
- *The Wind in the Willows* (1949), as Narrator (voice)
- *Suspense* (1949), series, as Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde, Sherlock Holmes
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Hazelton Crome
- *Dressed to Kill* (1946), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Heartbeat* (1946), as Professor Aristide
- *Terror by Night* (1946), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Pursuit to Algiers* (1945), as Sherlock Holmes
- *The Woman in Green* (1945), as Sherlock Holmes
- *The House of Fear* (1945), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Frenchman's Creek* (1944), as Lord Rockingham
- *The Pearl of Death* (1944), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Bathing Beauty* (1944), as George Adams
- *The Scarlet Claw* (1944), as Sherlock Holmes
- *The Spider Woman* (1943), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Crazy House* (1943), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Sherlock Holmes Faces Death* (1943), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Above Suspicion* (1943), as Sig von Aschenhausen
- *Sherlock Holmes in Washington* (1943), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon* (1942), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror* (1942), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Crossroads* (1942), as Henri Sarrou
- *Fingers at the Window* (1942), as Cesar Ferrari / Dr. H. Santelle
- *Paris Calling* (1941), as Andre Benoit
- *International Lady* (1941), as Reggie Oliver
- *The Black Cat* (1941), as Montague Hartley
- *The Mad Doctor* (1940), as Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann
- *The Mark of Zorro* (1940), as Captain Esteban Pasquale
- *Rhythm on the River* (1940), as Oliver Courtney
- *Tower of London* (1939), as Richard - Duke of Gloucester
- *Rio* (1939), as Paul Reynard
- *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes* (1939), as Sherlock Holmes
- *The Sun Never Sets* (1939), as Clive Randolph
- *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1939), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Son of Frankenstein* (1939), as Baron Wolf von Frankenstein
- *Breakdowns of 1938* (1938), as Basil (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *The Dawn Patrol* (1938), as Maj. Brand
- *If I Were King* (1938), as Louis XI
- *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1938), as Sir Guy of Gisbourne — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-robin-hood.md)
- *The Adventures of Marco Polo* (1938), as Ahmed
- *Tovarich* (1937), as Commissar Dimitri Gorotchenko
- *Make a Wish* (1937), as Johnny Selden
- *Confession* (1937), as Michael Michailow
- *Love from a Stranger* (1937), as Gerald Lovell
- *The Garden of Allah* (1936), as Count Ferdinand Anteoni
- *Romeo and Juliet* (1936), as Tybalt — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-and-juliet.md)
- *Private Number* (1936), as Thomas Wroxton
- *Captain Blood* (1935), as Levasseur — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-blood.md)
- *A Tale of Two Cities* (1935), as Marquis St. Evremonde — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/a-tale-of-two-cities.md)
- *Kind Lady* (1935), as Henry Abbott
- *A Feather in Her Hat* (1935), as Captain Randolph Courtney
- *The Last Days of Pompeii* (1935), as Pontius Pilate
- *Anna Karenina* (1935), as Alexei Alexandrovitch Karenin
- *David Copperfield* (1935), as Mr. Edward Murdstone — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/david-copperfield.md)
- *Loyalties* (1933), as Ferdinand de Levis
- *One Precious Year* (1933), as Derek Nagel
- *After the Ball* (1932), as Jack Harrowby
- *A Woman Commands* (1932), as Capt. Alex Pastitsch
- *Sin Takes a Holiday* (1930), as Reginald 'Reggie' Durant
- *A Lady Surrenders* (1930), as Carl Vandry
- *The Lady of Scandal* (1930), as Edward
- *The Flirting Widow* (1930), as Col. Smith
- *A Notorious Affair* (1930), as Paul Gherardi
- *This Mad World* (1930), as Paul Parisot
- *The Bishop Murder Case* (1929), as Philo Vance
- *The Last of Mrs. Cheyney* (1929), as Lord Arthur Dilling
- *The Great Deception* (1926), as Rizzio
- *The Masked Bride* (1925), as Antoine
- *Trouping with Ellen* (1924), as Tony Winterslip
- *The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots* (1924), as Undetermined Subordinate Role
- *The School for Scandal* (1923), as Joseph Surface
- *The Fruitful Vine* (1921), as Don Cesare Carelli
- *Innocent* (1921), as Amadis de Jocelyn

## Gallery

- ![Cinécraft Productions, Inc. is a privately held American corporate film and video production studio in Cleveland, Ohio. The studio specialized in producing spon (1952)](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-84c1d4634096.jpg) Cinécraft Productions, Inc. is a privately held American corporate film and video production studio in Cleveland, Ohio. The studio specialized in producing spon (1952) — My father, Ray Culley, co-founder of Cinecraft Productions, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/1952_Basil_Rathbone._Leisy_Premier_Theatre._Cinecraft_Productions_photo_1.jpg/1280px-1952_Basil_Rathbone._Leisy_Premier_Theatre._Cinecraft_Productions_photo_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce in Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon - cropped screenshot (1943)](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-e63e658622ad.jpg) Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce in Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon - cropped screenshot (1943) — film screenshot (Universal Pictures), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Sherlock_Holmes_and_the_Secret_Weapon_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cropped and edited lobby card for the 1939 film Son of Frankenstein, featuring Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Lobby card produced in 1953 for th](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-c0095703a2f1.jpg) Cropped and edited lobby card for the 1939 film Son of Frankenstein, featuring Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Lobby card produced in 1953 for th — Universal Studios, re-released by Realart in 1953., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Son-of-frankensteinCropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Flirting Widow Subjects (LCTGM): motion pictures, actresses (1930)](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-e18475afe03e.jpg) Flirting Widow Subjects (LCTGM): motion pictures, actresses (1930) — Unknown photographerUnknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Flirting_Widow_%28SAYRE_15267%29.jpg/1280px-Flirting_Widow_%28SAYRE_15267%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-69b5864eba40.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-c8217016edd5.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-16f642191c2d.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-ae7d6df5a9a5.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-b7d32af78ecd.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB
- ![Basil Rathbone](https://film.one/media/person/1227994/gallery-c06881cd72eb.jpg) Basil Rathbone — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 1939: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *If I Were King*
- 1937: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Romeo and Juliet*

### Other awards — 2 won

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1948: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (won)
- Military Cross 1918: Military Cross (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/basil-rathbone