Detective Films Set in Country Houses

Description: A group of travelers take refuge in a creepy old mansion during a storm, only to find themselves embroiled in a series of bizarre and terrifying events. This film is a precursor to many country house mysteries.

Fact: Directed by James Whale, who also directed "Frankenstein." The film was remade in 1963 with a different plot.

Description: Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller involves a young woman on a train who discovers that an elderly lady she met has mysteriously disappeared. While not set in a country house, the film's train setting provides a similar sense of isolation and mystery.

Fact: This was one of Hitchcock's last British films before moving to Hollywood. The film was remade in 1979 with Cybill Shepherd and Elliott Gould.

Description: While not a traditional detective film, this romantic fantasy involves a widow moving into a haunted country house, where the ghost of a sea captain helps her solve the mystery of his own death. Its atmospheric setting and ghostly intrigue make it a charming addition.

Fact: Gene Tierney stars as Mrs. Muir, and Rex Harrison provides the voice of the ghost. The film was remade as a TV series in the 1960s.

Description: This classic adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel brings Sherlock Holmes to the eerie moors of Dartmoor, where a family curse and a spectral hound terrorize the Baskerville estate. The film captures the gothic atmosphere of the isolated manor perfectly, making it a quintessential entry in this list.

Fact: This was the first film to feature Peter Cushing as Sherlock Holmes, a role he would reprise several times. The film was shot on location at Castle Combe, Wiltshire, which added to its authentic feel.

Description: While not strictly set in a country house, the luxurious steamboat setting on the Nile River provides a similar isolated environment where Hercule Poirot must solve a murder. The film's opulent setting and intricate plot make it a fitting addition to this list.

Fact: The film was adapted from Agatha Christie's novel and features an all-star cast including Peter Ustinov as Poirot, Bette Davis, and Mia Farrow. The movie was filmed on location in Egypt, adding to its exotic allure.

Description: Miss Marple investigates a murder at a film set in an English country mansion. The film blends Hollywood glamour with the classic English whodunit, providing a unique twist on the genre.

Fact: Angela Lansbury stars as Miss Marple, and the film features a host of famous actors like Elizabeth Taylor, Kim Novak, and Rock Hudson. It's based on Agatha Christie's novel of the same name.

Description: Robert Altman's intricate murder mystery set in an English country house during a weekend shooting party. The film delves into the upstairs-downstairs dynamics, offering a rich tapestry of characters and motives, making it a compelling watch for detective film enthusiasts.

Fact: The film boasts an ensemble cast including Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, and Michael Gambon. Julian Fellowes, who wrote the screenplay, later created the hit TV series "Downton Abbey," which shares similar themes.

Description: A young solicitor travels to a remote village to settle the affairs of a deceased client, only to encounter the ghost of a woman in black at the client's isolated country house. The film's eerie setting and supernatural elements add a chilling twist to the detective genre.

Fact: Daniel Radcliffe stars in his first major role post-Harry Potter. The film is based on Susan Hill's novel and was adapted into a successful stage play.

Description: A family moves into a haunted country house to escape their past, only to uncover dark secrets and a mystery that needs solving. This TV miniseries captures the essence of a detective story with its gothic horror elements.

Fact: The series stars Suranne Jones and Tom Ellis. It was adapted from the novel by James Herbert.

Description: A comedic take on the detective genre, this film features a descendant of Sherlock Holmes investigating a series of murders in a country house, with a twist of apocalyptic humor.

Fact: John Cleese stars as the Holmes descendant, and the film includes cameos from several Monty Python members.