The one movie Billy Wilder wished he could make again: “I would take a different slant”
Billy Wilder made many incredible movies during his lifetime, from Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard to Sabrina, Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, and The Seven Year Itch. That’s an impressive collection of films to be known for, but Wilder wasn’t without his regrets and certain criticisms of his career.
The filmmaker, who made his directorial debut in 1934 with the French film Mauvaise Graine, which he co-directed with Alexander Esway, preferred to write screenplays during the early years of his career. It wasn’t until the 1940s that he started to consistently direct films that he’s written, proving himself to be an insanely talented filmmaker.
He was known for his ability to write with astute wit, creating cinematic worlds that you couldn’t help but want to fully immerse yourself in. Regardless of a character being a hero or a villain, you’ll likely find yourself compelled by them – Wilder knew how to write the kind of people who were simply unforgettable.
Yet, despite the widespread acclaim he achieved, which included winning six competitive Oscars, he still wanted to make one of his films again, wishing to re-do what he believed was one of his weaker efforts. In 1970, he made The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which wasn’t received as wildly as many of his other movies, and looking back on the film, the filmmaker couldn’t help but pick out various flaws.
Talking to Kevin Lally, the director revealed: “I didn’t quite catch the atmosphere, I did not quite get Sherlock Holmes. Robert Stephens was a very good actor, and Dr. Watson—they were very good. I just…it did not have enough character and enough mystique and enough audience involvement in one case. I made three or four cases, like episodes…with one tremendous love affair that kills his—it’s a tragedy, either she dies or she betrays him, making him a bachelor for life. But I never quite found it. It’s not one of my best remembrances. The sets were going up and I was still fighting with the script. It was an abortion.”
The movie starred Stephens in the title role, while Colin Blakely played Watson and Christopher Lee starred as Sherlock’s older brother, Mycroft. Wilder used his penchant for comedy and parody when writing the script, which polarised various viewers.
Evidently, Wilder, who hadn’t made a film in four years at this point, perhaps didn’t give the movie his all. It wasn’t bad by any means – it even inspired the hit BBC series Sherlock – but it wasn’t exactly Sunset Boulevard. However, Wilder believes that every filmmaker is prone to making a movie that is considerably worse than other efforts – that’s just the nature of being creative. You can’t go through life and not produce a few duds; in fact, this only makes you a more well-rounded artist.
“I wish I could do it again. I would take a different slant on it. But look, God in his infinite wisdom makes idiots and geniuses, he makes athletes and cripples. You can’t do it, picture after picture after picture. Show me a man who never had a failure, and I will show you a man who never had a big hit,” Wilder explained.
