Directed by Barry Levinson (DINER, RAIN MAN) and produced by Steven Spielberg, this imaginative tale presumes that Sherlock Holmes and John Watson met as young men at a boarding school in the late 1800s. Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) is already an aspiring detective when Watson (Alan Cox) arrives in his dormitory anticipating a studious life in preparation for medical school. With the help of Elizabeth (Sophie Ward), who is the niece of an eccentric professor as well as the love of Holmes' life, the famous detective team begins investigating the mysterious deaths of wealthy men who appear to be the victims of horrible hallucinations. The investigation leads to their discovery of an evil sect based on Egyptian mythology that sacrifices young women and whose leader has his own reasons for seeking revenge against a group of prominent Englishmen. Screenwriter Chris Columbus cleverly presupposes the origin of Holmes' trademark pipe and deerstalker cap as well as the reason why he never married.