The Return of Sherlock Holmes

I was delighted to watch this “best-ever” film version of Sherlock Holmes’ detective stories once again after nearly three decades. Thanks to many reviewers’ detailed and thoughtful comments, I feel no need to make additional remarks about superb acting of Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Edward Hardwicke, and so many excellent supporting casts. But I must recognize that we were extraordinarily lucky to have the Granada Television which created one after another exquisite programs such as “Sherlock Holmes,” “The Jewel in the Crown,” “Brideshead Revisited,” etc. I think that the whole production team for “Sherlock Holmes” did fantastic and amazing feats. They recreated a social setting for the peak period of British Empire very effectively and described all details in highly artistic fashion. So this particular version of Sherlock Holmes appears to be a beautiful painting in motion and a great historic record at the same time. I realized that Sherlock Holmes’ detective stories occurred ‘between about 1880 and 1914’ when ‘Holmes would be between 26 years old and 60 years old.’ Indeed the Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, celebrating the 60th anniversary of her accession, took place in 1897.My wife and I purchased the first three volumes and then the remaining two volumes of Sherlock Holmes completing the whole collection in Blu-Ray. Despite negative comments from certain reviewers about several episodes toward the end of program, we enjoyed the entire collection of 41 episodes and tried to revisit some of the original novels from time to time. Although we definitely prefer a “purist” approach for dramatization with word for word, our impression was that liberal interpretation and stretching storylines in a few episodes were done quite tastefully and often in style. I was relieved to learn that some of stretching storylines had nothing to do with failing health of Jeremy Brett near the end of the program. Jeremy Brett’s excellent acting was consistent to the end. I also compiled the list of Directors involved in order to check whether some of stretching storylines of Conan Doyle’s original novels were influenced by excessive zeals of certain Directors. Such speculation turned out to be wrong. For example, Peter Hammond directed a classic episode of The Sign of Four (1987) as well as almost gothic tale of The Eligible Bachelor (1993).Episode List (with Director’s names, Original Air Sequence)>> The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984-1985) <<A Scandal In Bohemia (dir. Paul Annett, 1984-a)The Dancing Men (dir. John Bruce, 1984-b)The Naval Treaty (dir. Alan Grint, 1984-c)The Solitary Cyclist (dir. Paul Annett, 1984-d)The Crooked Man (dir. Alan Grint, 1984-e)The Speckled Band (dir. John Bruce, 1984-f)The Blue Carbuncle (dir. David Carson, 1984-g)The Copper Beeches (dir. Paul Annett, 1985-a)The Greek Interpreter (dir. Alan Grint, 1985-b)The Norwood Builder (dir. Ken Grieve, 1985-c)The Resident Patient (dir. David Carson, 1985-d)The Red Headed League (dir. John Bruce, 1985-e)The Final Problem (dir. Alan Grint, 1985-f)>> The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1986-1988) <<The Empty House (dir. Howard Baker, 1986-a)The Abbey Grange (dir. Peter Hammond, 1986-e)The Musgrave Ritual (dir. David Carson, 1986-d)The Second Stain (dir. John Bruce, 1986-c)The Man With the Twisted Lip (dir. Patrick Lau, 1986-f)The Priory School (dir. John Madden, 1986-b)The Six Napoleons (dir. David Carson, 1986-g)The Devil s Foot (dir. Ken Hannam, 1988-a)Silver Blaze (dir. Brian Mills, 1988-b)Wisteria Lodge (dir. Peter Hammond, 1988-c)The Bruce Partington Plans (dir. John Gorrie, 1988-d)>> The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes (1991-1993) <<The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax (dir. John Madden, 1991-a)The Problem of Thor Bridge (dir. Michael Simpson, 1991-b)Shoscombe Old Place (dir. Patrick Lau, 1991-c)The Boscombe Valley Mystery (dir. June Howson, 1991-d)The Illustrious Client (dir. Tim Sullivan, 1991-e)The Creeping Man (dir. Tim Sullivan, 1991-f)>> The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1994) <<The Three Gables (dir. Peter Hammond, 1994-a)The Dying Detective (dir. Sarah Hellings, 1994-b)The Golden Pince-Net (dir. Peter Hammond, 1994-c)The Red Circle (dir. Sarah Hellings, 1994-d)The Mazarin Stone (dir. Peter Hammond, 1994-e)The Cardboard Box (dir. Sarah Hellings, 1994-f)>> The Feature Film Collection of Sherlock Holmes (1987-1993) <<The Sign of Four (dir. Peter Hammond, 1987-a)The Hound of the Baskervilles (dir. Brian Mills, 1988-e)The Master Blackmailer (dir. Peter Hammond, 1992-a)The Last Vampyre (dir. Tim Sullivan, 1993-b)The Eligible Bachelor (dir. Peter Hammond, 1993-a)

There is no doubt that this DVD collection is essential viewing for any Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. For me, like many people out there, Jeremy Brett and Sherlock Holmes have always been one. I first discovered the dark and dangerous world of Holmes and Watson as a child during the mid to late-eighties, when Brett and Hardwicke were brilliantly bringing to life the most famous duo in literary history on PBS. Then I did not see these programs for many years, but to have them come out on DVD is long overdue. Just hearing the haunting opening bars of the period music composed for this landmark series by Patrick Gowers was enough to put a mischievous smile on my face!This collection features many of the detective's greatest exploits, including "The Empty House," which features the emotional reunion of Holmes and Watson in 1894, and also one of my very favorite tales, "The Devil's Foot," which has one of the most intriguing plots in the Canon. The film sequence when Holmes and Watson experiment with the deadly African root powder is extraordinary, especially when Holmes wakes from his horrifying hallucination and cries out to his companion, "John!" As any Sherlockian knows, this line does not appear in the original story, but Brett says it with such conviction and emotion that it doesn't really matter. Nor can one forget Holmes' unforgettable encounter with Leon Sterndale:"How do you know that?""I followed you.""I saw no one.""That is what you may expect to see when I follow you."Equally powerful is the touching scene when Holmes literally cracks open the case of the Six Napoleons in front of Watson and Inspector Lestrade."Well," said Lestrade, "I've seen you handle a good manycases, Mr. Holmes, but I don't know that I ever knew a moreworkmanlike one than that. We're not jealous of you at ScotlandYard. No, sir, we are very proud of you, and if you come downto-morrow, there's not a man, from the oldest inspector to theyoungest constable, who wouldn't be glad to shake you by thehand.""Thank you!" said Holmes. "Thank you!" and as he turnedaway, it seemed to me that he was more nearly moved by thesofter human emotions than I had ever seen him."To watch Brett choke up during this scene is wonderful.These episodes remain quite faithful to the stories for the most part, but take a little artistic license at times, for instance in "Wisteria Lodge" and also the "Bruce-Partington Plans". The end of the atmospheric "Priory School" features a very dramatic scene which totally deviates from the original tale, but in fact may be an improvement! One of the extra features is a very enlightening commentary with director John Madden and John Stuart Davies about how they made "The Priory School." The interview with Edward Hardwicke on disc 1 is also fascinating. As a whole, these are the finest and most satisfying film versions of the Canon ever produced or ever likely to be. If you read the original stories as you watch these episodes, as I have done, you'll discover much of the dialogue is taken straight from the horse's mouth! (Sorry about the pun, but I just watched "Silver Blaze"!) So do yourself a huge favor, and get this set today. These dvds will offer countless hours of enjoyment and inspired deduction. The game is afoot!

If you are a Sherlock fan, Jeremy Brett nailed the character.