The Scotland Yard Mystery: Old School Whodunit Vibes

Is it worth the time?

If you like movies that smell like old library books and cigarettes, yeah, give this a spin. It is perfect for a rainy afternoon when you don't want to think too hard. If you need explosions or CGI, you are going to be bored to tears in about five minutes. 🕵️‍♂️

The whole thing feels like it was filmed in a basement, in the best way possible. Everything is dark, smoky, and feels a bit cramped. The shadows are doing more acting than some of the side characters, honestly.

I noticed Gerald du Maurier just owning every room he walks into. He has this way of looking at a clue that makes you feel like you are the one being investigated. It’s a bit intense, really.

The Pacing

It moves quick. Maybe too quick? There’s a moment near the middle where they explain the motive, and I think I blinked and missed half of it. Not that it mattered much, the vibe was the point. ☕

Some of the dialogue is just… odd. People talking in ways nobody actually talks, but it works for this kind of story. Like, who says “I shall apprehend the miscreant” when they are clearly just annoyed? Whatever, it fits.

It’s a bit like watching The Brand of Satan in terms of that old-timey, stage-play energy. You can almost see the wires holding up the set pieces if you squint hard enough.

• That one door that squeaks every time it opens.
• The lighting in the office scene looks like they used a single lightbulb.
• The lead detective looks like he hasn't slept since 1930.

Honestly, the mystery itself is kind of thin. You’ll figure out who did it long before the characters do. But that isn't really why you watch these things, is it? You watch for the hats, the accents, and the way everyone acts like they have a secret to hide. 🧥

I found myself zoning out during the long exposition dump about halfway through. It just gets a little too chatty for its own good. Then suddenly, someone is running down a hallway and I'm interested again. It’s a messy little movie.

Not a masterpiece, but it doesn't try to be. It’s just a mystery. A bit dusty, a bit weird, and over before you can get bored. I’ll take that over a three-hour slog any day.