[John Clayton]

Here is the link at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia....Fila_Brasileiro

History

"The Fila Brasileiro is believed to have been developed from a number of breeds, predominantly the Mastiff, the Bulldog, and the Bloodhound (the last contributing to breed's loose skin). The Fila Brasileiros were found primarily on large plantations and cattle farms from where they originated. Reportedly, they are also excellent tracking dogs and were used to track Brazilian slaves and fugitives. ... In fact, In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of Baskervilles, there is reason to believe this is the hound. The dogs owner originated in South America and it was described as a Mastiff Bloodhound."

Since Stapleton/Vandeleur (whoever he really is) spent time in Central America, it is logical to believe that he may have encountered the breed there. Frankly, I have been advocating the Fila Brasileiro as The Hound for more years than the Wikipedia article has been on line. The Fila Brasileiro is known as an especially vicious dog. They are known for frequently turning on their masters. A Fila Brasileiro with the frame of a large mastiff and the tracking ability of a bloodhound could practically tear a man apart.

[Captain Basil]

Sounds good. But that floppy skin around the head in the picture (the bloodhound genes) looks more comical than menacing.

[Clare Hart]

Sounds good. But that floppy skin around the head in the picture (the bloodhound genes) looks more comical than menacing.

I seriously doubt that it would look at all comical if it was coming after you. Especially if it was glowing in the dark.

[John Clayton]

Sounds good. But that floppy skin around the head in the picture (the bloodhound genes) looks more comical than menacing.

In the 19th Century, hounds used for hunting frequently had their ears clipped.

[Tara]

In the 19th Century, hounds used for hunting frequently had their ears clipped.

Aww

[BakerStreetBabe]

wow! what a dog!!

[Captain Basil]

I seriously doubt that it would look at all comical if it was coming after you.

No dog would. But I was thinking cinematically. All the movie and TV hounds I have seen have failed to look truly frightening, IMHO.

[John H. Watson]

No dog would. But I was thinking cinematically. All the movie and TV hounds I have seen have failed to look truly frightening, IMHO.

True! True! I was especially disappointed with the hound in the Roxburgh version. They truly could have done it justice. But for some reason they opted to go with a half hyena no phosphorus-in-sight look. Hmmm.... You really shouldn't try and go for realism with the hound I think. True, he is a purely physical being, but it shouldn't appear that way. The appeal of the story is the supernatural elements and the 'not knowing' right up until the final confrontation on the moor.

[Lady Halle]

This is one of those things where I think the best hound is the one in our imaginations... I don't think it's possible for a hound to be as terrifying as what Doyle described. I really don't.

[John Clayton]

True! True! I was especially disappointed with the hound in the Roxburgh version. They truly could have done it justice. But for some reason they opted to go with a half hyena no phosphorus-in-sight look. Hmmm.... You really shouldn't try and go for realism with the hound I think. True, he is a purely physical being, but it shouldn't appear that way. The appeal of the story is the supernatural elements and the 'not knowing' right up until the final confrontation on the moor.

You're probably right, Lady Halle. Cinematically, the filmmaker is restricted to the senses of sight and sound. It is impossible to adequately communicate the cold. No matter how carefully the filmmakers develop suspense, the obligatory appearance of the hound stands to be anti-climatic.

Of course, I'm not one of those Shakespearean scholars who seem to believe that the Bard's verse is somehow debased by having actors actually play the parts on stage. It's damned if you do and damned if you don't. So, the makers of the practically inevitable next version of THE HOUND might as well have a go at it. They can't do a lot worse than much of what has gone before.

[Captain Basil]

I think you'd have to go with a CGI dog. It could then mingle with live actors, yet you could render away the cuteness.

Is 'render' the correct term when talking CGI? I refuse to call it 'drawing.'

[John H. Watson]

Yes, everyone has their own ideas to be sure. But I think it not impossible at all to do the hound that Doyle described. I just believe that filmmakers have always approached it wrongly. I say you should never fully see the thing, that is until it is dead upon the ground. Your first glimpse should be the flaming eyes and jaws coming towards you out of the mist, then the great black shape as it leaps for Sir Henry. I think, with the appearance of the hound the crucial element is the pacing. For me, not only has the hound itself looked all wrong in the past but the timing of that pivotal scene has always been off. It just never has the drive it should. I simply think that the story needs a director who understands both special effects and pacing. I believe that with such a man at the helm the hound could be given justice. But until then...well...you have the big yellow terror of Cushing or the clumsily rendered creature of Roxburgh to choose from, among other 'brave attempts'. Haha!

Personally, I like the Russian hound the best. That scene would have been even greater with faster pacing. But I guess you can only get a real dog to run so fast...

[John Clayton]

Good points, Captain Basil & John H. Watson! Ultimately, the end product would be the result of a combination of live action, animatronics, computer graphic imaging, and even old fashion "in camera" effects. The final "rendering" (so to to speak) would be the result of a painstaking editing process, combined with carefully selected sound effects and an intelligent musical score. If only Bernard Herrmann could have written the score!!!

The tough thing to get across is the fact that a 200 pound plus, mastiff mix can tear a man apart!

[John H. Watson]

Good points, Captain Basil & John H. Watson! Ultimately, the end product would be the result of a combination of live action, animatronics, computer graphic imaging, and even old fashion "in camera" effects. The final "rendering" (so to to speak) would be the result of a painstaking editing process, combined with carefully selected sound effects and an intelligent musical score. If only Bernard Herrmann could have written the score!!!

The tough thing to get across is the fact that a 200 pound plus, mastiff mix can tear a man apart!

Indeed!

Really, it is quite amazing what they can do with animatronics now. I'm thinking specifically of the Scrunt from Lady in the Water. That was scarier than any hound I've seen yet!

You mentioned score. That is another essential element! A score that drives the hurried action, not too bombastic, but quite loud and horrendous I would think. Hmmm....