It was a seven - reel silent film by Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. directed by Arthur Berthelet .
1916 -- Sherlock Holmes , starring Gillette in the first cinema - adaptation of his Sherlock Holmes , albeit not the first film about Holmes .
Sherlock Holmes was a seven - reel Sherlock Holmes   by Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. directed by Arthur Berthelet .
1916 -- Sherlock Holmes , starring Gillette in the first cinema - adaptation of his Sherlock Holmes , albeit not the first film about Holmes .