"A wily performance full of understated wit and subdued irascibility, devoid of sentimentality and yet quietly moving." — David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
"McKellen is predictably superb as Holmes." — Scott Foundas, Variety
"Flawlessly played by McKellen." — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times
"Gratifyingly but unsurprisingly wonderful." — A.O. Scott, New York Times
"Watching every moment of his performance is pure pleasure." — Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
"McKellen is impeccable." — Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
"What Ian McKellen does with Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective in Mr. Holmes is nothing short of magnificent." — Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
"McKellen excels, switching effortlessly between the reclusive beekeeper with a faltering memory and the elegant younger detective at the height of his powers." — Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly
"McKellen plays it beautifully, so graceful he barely looks like he's trying. I couldn't take my eyes off him." — Cath Clarke, Time Out
"Ian McKellen gives one of his finest performances." — Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine
"McKellen is, throughout, a treasure" — Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
"Superb work from McKellen." — Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
"McKellen is masterful, a wonder to watch." — John Anderson, Newsday
"McKellen is brilliant throughout, his piercing blue eyes revealing the gallantry of youth and the sadness of a life's worth of memories slipping further away." — Miriam Di Nunzio, Chicago Sun-Times
"A master class in acting." — Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
"Ian McKellen is brilliant." — Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
"Deft acting magic." — Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
"Mr. McKellen is a force so powerful he's his own reward." — Rex Reed, New York Observer
"A brilliant performance, delivered with the poise and exacting confidence of a true thespian." — Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News
Mr Holmes is a new twist on the world's most famous detective. 1947, an ageing Sherlock Holmes returns from a journey to Japan, where, in search of a rare plant with powerful restorative qualities, he has witnessed the devastation of nuclear warfare. Now, in his remote seaside Sussex farmhouse, Holmes faces the end of his days tending to his bees, with only the company of his housekeeper and her young son, Roger. Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement, and searches for answers to the mysteries of life and love — before it's too late.
Principal photography began in UK 5 July 2014
Principal photography completed 22 August 2014
Filming locations in East
Surrey, UK and London
Opened in UK & Ireland 19 June 2015
US & Canada 17
July 2015