Basil Rathbone
ActingAbout Basil Rathbone
Sir Basil Rathbone, KBE, MC, Kt (13 June 1892 – 21 July 1967), was an English actor. He rose to prominence in England as a Shakespearean stage actor and went on to appear in over 70 films, primarily costume dramas, swashbucklers, and, occasionally, horror films. He frequently portrayed suave villains or morally ambiguous characters, such as Murdstone in David Copperfield (1935) and Sir Guy of Gisbourne in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). His most famous role, however, was heroic—that of Sherlock Holmes in fourteen Hollywood films made between 1939 and 1946 and in a radio series. His later career included Broadway and television work; he received a Tony Award in 1948 as Best Actor in a Play.
Basil Rathbone Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Basil Rathbone reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Basil Rathbone's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of Basil Rathbone's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Masked Bride, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Basil Rathbone Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Basil Rathbone's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Basil Rathbone has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Adventures of Errol Flynn | Self / Various Roles (archive sound) (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Dracula in the Movies | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Great Mouse Detective | Sherlock Holmes (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Many Faces of Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock Holmes (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Horror of It All | Carmichael (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1967 | Soldier in Love | Duke of York | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Two Before Zero | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Tales of Terror | Carmichael ("The Case of M. Valdemar") | Hit | Similar → |
| 1962 | Pontius Pilate | Caiaphas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Victoria Regina | Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfield) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | Mystic Prophecies and Nostradamus | Narrator | Hit | Similar → |
| 1960 | The Black Cat | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1959 | A Christmas Carol | Scrooge | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | The Last Hurrah | Norman Cass Sr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Aladdin | Emperor | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates | Dr. Boekman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | The Court Jester | Sir Ravenhurst | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | We're No Angels | Andre Trochard | Hit | Similar → |
| 1954 | A Christmas Carol | Marley's Ghost | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Pursuit to Algiers | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | The House of Fear | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Pearl of Death | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Scarlet Claw | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Spider Woman | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Sherlock Holmes Faces Death | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Sherlock Holmes in Washington | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Mark of Zorro | Captain Esteban Pasquale | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Rhythm on the River | Oliver Courtney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | The Hound of the Baskervilles | Sherlock Holmes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Son of Frankenstein | Baron Wolf von Frankenstein | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Dawn Patrol | Maj. Brand | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | If I Were King | Louis XI | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | The Adventures of Robin Hood | Sir Guy of Gisbourne | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Captain Blood | Levasseur | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Tale of Two Cities | Marquis St. Evremonde | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Kind Lady | Henry Abbott | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | A Feather in Her Hat | Captain Randolph Courtney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Loyalties | Ferdinand de Levis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | One Precious Year | Derek Nagel | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | After the Ball | Jack Harrowby | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | A Woman Commands | Capt. Alex Pastitsch | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1930 | This Mad World | Paul Parisot | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Great Deception | Rizzio | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Masked Bride | Antoine | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Trouping with Ellen | Tony Winterslip | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots | Undetermined Subordinate Role | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | The School for Scandal | Joseph Surface | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | The Fruitful Vine | Don Cesare Carelli | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | Innocent | Amadis de Jocelyn | Hit | Similar → |
Basil Rathbone - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Basil Rathbone?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Basil Rathbone is "The Masked Bride" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Basil Rathbone acted in?
Basil Rathbone has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Basil Rathbone?
Other notable films include "The Loves of Mary, Queen of Scots", "Trouping with Ellen", and "After the Ball".