Without a Clue (1988)
The comedy that dares to ask: what if Watson was the genius all along, and Holmes was just a hired actor?
Without a Clue - Movie Information
- Original Title: Without a Clue
- Release Year: 1988
- Directed by: Thom Eberhardt
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Crime
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 5, 1988 (United Kingdom - PG), October 21, 1988 (United States - PG), June 7, 1990 (Germany - 12), March 14, 1989 (France - U)
- Alternative Titles: Po Kłębku do Nitki (PL), 毛无线索 (CN), Nevýřešený případ (CZ), Επιτέλους λίγη σοβαρότητα, κύριε Χολμς (GR)
- Production Companies: Orion Pictures, ITC Entertainment
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Without a Clue - Plot
Sherlock Holmes is as dashing as ever, but with a little secret: Dr. Watson is the brains behind the operation. When Reginald Kincaid, the actor he has hired to play Holmes becomes insufferable, Watson fires him and tries to go out on his own, but finds that he has done too good a job building Holmes up in the public's mind.
Without a Clue - Trailer
See the comedic chaos unfold in the official trailer below.
The flip side of Sherlock Holmes
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Without a Clue - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Thom Eberhardt
Main Cast
- Michael Caine
- Ben Kingsley
- Jeffrey Jones
- Lysette Anthony
- Nigel Davenport
- Peter Cook
- Gregor Fisher
- Paul Freeman
- George Sweeney
- John Tordoff
Writers
- Gary Murphy
- Larry Strawther
Producers
- Marc Stirdivant
Without a Clue - FAQs
What is the twist behind Without a Clue?
The film's central joke is that Dr. Watson is actually the brilliant detective, while Sherlock Holmes is merely a bumbling actor named Reginald Kincaid hired to maintain the famous facade. Watson invented Holmes to protect his own reputation, and the whole partnership is a carefully managed illusion.
Who stars in Without a Clue?
Michael Caine plays the hapless actor Reginald Kincaid posing as Sherlock Holmes, while Ben Kingsley is the true genius Dr. Watson. The cast also includes Jeffrey Jones as Inspector Lestrade, Paul Freeman as Professor Moriarty, and Peter Cook, Lysette Anthony, and Nigel Davenport in supporting roles.
What is Without a Clue about?
Without a Clue flips the classic Holmes mythology on its head: Watson is the real detective genius, and Holmes is a fictional persona played by a roguish, unreliable actor. When Watson finally fires his insufferable stand-in and tries solving crimes alone, he discovers the public simply won't accept a world without Sherlock Holmes.
Is Without a Clue based on a true story?
No, Without a Clue is not based on a true story. It's an original comedic parody built around Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The screenplay by Gary Murphy and Larry Strawther invents a satirical premise that inverts the classic dynamic between the two iconic characters.
When was Without a Clue released?
Without a Clue first opened in the United Kingdom on May 5, 1988, then reached US audiences on October 21, 1988. It later opened in France in March 1989 and in Germany in June 1990.
Where can you watch Without a Clue?
Without a Clue is currently available to buy on Apple TV Store. Streaming availability can change over time, so it's worth checking JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options in your region.
How long is Without a Clue?
Without a Clue runs for 107 minutes, or about 1 hour and 47 minutes. It's a comfortable feature-length comedy that moves at a brisk pace, keeping the laughs coming throughout its Victorian London mystery caper.
What are similar movies to Without a Clue?
If you enjoyed Without a Clue, you might love A Shot in the Dark (1964), Murder Most Foul (1964), Nuns on the Run (1990), and Murder She Said (1961). These films share a similar blend of comedy, mystery, and classic British wit that fans of the genre tend to appreciate.
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