In a Manhattan psychiatric hospital, a man convinced that he is Sherlock Holmes is treated by a female doctor who happens to be named Watson.In a Manhattan psychiatric hospital, a man convinced that he is Sherlock Holmes is treated by a female doctor who happens to be named Watson.In a Manhattan psychiatric hospital, a man convinced that he is Sherlock Holmes is treated by a female doctor who happens to be named Watson.
- Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title is derived from Miguel de Cervantes' novel "Don Quixote." Quixote tilted at windmills because he was sure they were giants. In this movie, Justin states that Quixote was crazy to be convinced that windmills are giants. But to wonder if "they might be giants"--that's another matter.
- GoofsWhen Scott and Woodward are riding in a taxi, from his angle the cab is stopped; from her angle the cab is moving.
- Quotes
Dr. Mildred Watson: You're just like Don Quixote. You think that everything is always something else.
Justin Playfair: Well, he had a point. 'Course he carried it a bit too far. He thought that every windmill was a giant. That's insane. But, thinking that they might be, well... All the best minds used to think the world was flat. But what if it isn't? It might be round. And bread mold might be medicine. If we never looked at things and thought of what might be, why we'd all still be out there in the tall grass with the apes.
- Crazy creditsClosing credits epilogue: The human heart can see what is hidden to the eyes, and the heart knows things that the mind does not begin to understand.
- Alternate versionsThe original theatrical release length of the film was 98 minutes. None of the streaming or DVD versions (save for the US Anchor Bay release) currently available include the full film; the Netflix version runs 91:15 and the Universal DVD on demand runs only 84 minutes. The penultimate scene in the grocery store is missing in these versions.
- ConnectionsFeatures The Redhead from Wyoming (1953)
A female psychiatrist is asked to interview him for the formality of the commitment but becomes fascinated by the "Holmes" she meets because of his truly extraordinary deductive reasoning. It's apparent that, delusional or not, he may be a genius of some kind, and far more fascinating than most ordinary mortals.
The psychiatrist, whose name just happens to be Watson, joins this Sherlock Holmes in his quest to search the streets of New York City for his nemesis, Professor Moriarty. On the way they meet various other people, also largely spurned by society, but, somehow, kindred souls in an otherwise pretty cold world.
This strange but intelligent, utterly charming film died a quick death at the 1971 box office, but has found a cult following of sorts over the years. George C. Scott, with briar pipe and deerstalker hat, is virtual perfection in the role of the man who believes he is Holmes, while Joanne Woodward, devoid of her usual glamour, playing the socially awkward psychiatrist who starts to gradually believe in his cause, brings a warmth and touching vulnerability to her role.
The film has a few wonderful scenes with lovely little touches. Holmes takes his Watson to a little movie theatre, almost empty but for a few street people, and a makeout couple in the top balcony. Yet the street people there all know him, greeting him with smiles as "Mr. Holmes" at this theatre where he likes to come for comfort and watch westerns.
At another unexpected moment a police officer suddenly comes around the corner, spots "Holmes" and a large smile spreads across his face as he says, "Why, Mr. Rathbone, it's an honor, sir," as he reaches over to shake his hand.
And, towards the film's beginning, there is a marvelous scene in which Scott, dressed as Holmes, arrives at a seedy asylum where an inmate is being abused by an orderly. There's a low angle camera shot of a towering Scott/Holmes as he struts through the hallway unruffled, dispassionately disarming orderlies who try to grab him, then proceeds to analyze the mind of the abused patient in a manner that has the patient's doctor (Watson in her first encounter of him) in almost open mouthed admiration.
The film's final scene will undoubtedly baffle many viewers because of its ambiguity. It's a moment that is clearly open to interpretation. But I think that scene, and this film, are about the soaring human spirit, and a belief in one's self even though logic and all around you may tell you that you are wrong.
- How long is They Might Be Giants?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Der verkehrte Sherlock Holmes
- Filming locations
- Pathmark Stores, New York City, New York, USA(supermarket sequence photographed at)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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