Nicol Williamson played Sherlock Holmes in the 1976 film The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. The film is based off a book by Nicholas Meyer, making it the only film on this list thats based on a book that wasnt written by Arthur Conan Doyle. The film takes a look at Holmes destructive habit with cocaine (his seven percent solution), and imagines him being treated for cocaine psychosis by none other than Dr. Sigmund Freud (played by Alan Arkin). The subject matter allows Williamson to really showcase a more crazed version of Holmes than seen before. Rather than being the stoic, booming consulting detective that Holmes is usually portrayed as, Williamsons version of the man is fast-talking, head-clutching, and filled with antics. Needless to say, these qualities give Williamsons Holmes fresh new life, although he unfortunately never reprised the role. Even though the movie was nominated for two Oscars, it only has a score of 6.8 on IMDb, and it is definitely a strange one, but Nicol Williamsons role is a highlight and secures him as a very memorable Sherlock Holmes.
Cory Barclay is a freelance writer, a novelist, and the lead guitarist and songwriter for heavy metal band Blood Dancer. He is based out of San Diego, California.
