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In 1893, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's weariness with his most famouscreation, Sherlock Holmes, led him to write The Final Problem. The plan was to bring Holmes face to face with his most cunning and vile adversary, Professor Moriarity, in a showdown that would bring a graceful and ennobling close to the Holmes saga. In time, Doyle allowed popular pressure to change his mind, and he brought back the sleuth. But this Granada Television adaptation of The Final Problem truly seems like Holmes's last bow and gives no hint of things to come. The drama is certainly engrossing: Holmes (Jeremy Brett) has been on the run in London for days, barely avoiding assassination attempts by Moriarty's lieutenants while international lawmen work with him to shut down the brilliant villain's crime organization. Moriarty, apparently, is the only one to escape Holmes's tightening net, leading to an extended chase across Europe and a fateful confrontation at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. Eric Porter makes for a dark, wicked Moriarty, his weathered face a window onto all the destruction the character has left in his wake. Typically, Brett and David Burke (as Dr. John Watson) are a perfect reflection of the dynamic duo Conan Doyle had in mind. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The Final Problem
If you're reading this review, then I am sure you are already familiar with the story so I'm not going to bother telling you what it's about. I'll just give you my opinion of it. It wasn't entirely faithful to the short story but it was great nevertheless. Oh and Jeremy Brett is the definitive Sherlock Holmes.

Fasten your seat belt
This is a fast moving, suspenseful, finale to Conan Doyle's long running series (or is it?). Like The Hound, The Final Problem combines beautiful scenery (albeit the Swiss Alps instead of the English countryside)with a great story. The sequence of Moriarty and Holmes in the latter's rooms on Baker Street is unforgettable as is the climax at Reichenbach Falls. A must for any fan of this series.

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes
Mr.Brett was the finest Sherlock Holmes ever!! He created the escents and mannerism that are that of Holmes. Every case I have seen is truly a winning performance. You cannot go wrong with any of these tapes or DVD's

Jermey Brett is the best Holmes yet!
Being a major Sherlock Holmes fan for some years now, I am quite picky on what I consider a "good" portrail of Sherlock Holmes. Jermey Brett is the most true to the inner character of Holmes that I have ever seen. He has that quirky smile that just tugs at you till you end up grining as well. This episode is one of my top favorites! With the amazing chemistry placed between Jermey Brett and Eric Porter(Moriarty), you feel the cold respect as well as the irking hatred that lies under the characters exteriors. From the entire eposode my favorite scene is at the very end. Watching the waterfall as the two bodies of Holmes and Moriarty flail in the air in slow motion as they plunge downwards. A very emotional scene. Even though I know the outcome of the story, and that of the next, I always have to see the "The Empty House" directly afterwards. Absolutly superperb!

You must also watch THE EMPTY HOUSE
...immediately after seeing this one! I had to, just to be really sure that Holmes did indeed return from the Reichenbach Falls. This show contains one of the most spectacular stunt shots I've ever seen--it does really look like the end for the great detective. Of course he manages to escape, even if his creator would have preferred it to have been otherwise. Eric Porter is an absolutely terrifying Professor Moriarty. The verbal 'non' duel between him and Jeremy Brett's Holmes--in which each one already knows what the other is going to say-- is beautifully staged and acted. This is one of my four favorite episodes of the Granada series. I should point out that Patrick Gowers' moving violin theme adds so much to the last shot, you can actually feel emotion for the death of a fictional character. An outstanding episode of a great series. ... Read more

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Sherlock Holmes (the incomparable Jeremy Brett) is unhappily interrupted during a major investigation by the appearance at Baker Street of a young, regal-looking woman named Violet Smith (Barbara Wilshere). Frightened for her safety, Smith tells the busy sleuth and his friend Dr. Watson (David Burke) of her recent life since being left penniless. Employed as a music teacher in the Charlington home of one Bob Carruthers (John Castle)--a man who, along with a quite dangerous and "hideous" fellow named Woodley (Michael Siberry)--knew her late father in South Africa, Smith has lately been harassed by Woodley and followed on bicycle by a mysterious, bearded fellow. Watson is dispatched to look into the matter, but the mystery only deepens and darkens even after the Master finally arrives. One of the strongest episodes in the long-running Holmes series from Granada Television, The Solitary Cyclist never lets up its taut suspense. Brett and Burke are magnificent, as always, but even the most loyal fans are taken aback by the rare sight of Holmes throwing punches, as he does in a boxing duel with the beastly Woodley. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

One of the best in the "Adventures" Collection
When it comes to film renderings of Sherlock Holmes, there is absolutely no better than the English television company Granada's tasteful, historically accurate and wonderfully casted versions.

In the role of the detective himself, Jeremy Brett (who sadly passed away in the aftereffects of his manodepressiv illness, and barely managed to complete the last episodes) is THE most memorable Sherlock Holmes of all times, with his outbursts and brilliant face expressions. Sometimes he acts out like a madman, portraiting Holmes as quite an original character (but never disrespectful or exaggerated), sometimes working with very small means. Anyway, he never leaves you unaffected by his performance and practically steals the screen away from his fellow actors.

The series are also well known for their creative portrait of Dr Watson, played by either David Burke (as he is in this story) or by the more grumpy, but equally marvellous Edward Hardwicke -- miles from the gasping fool as he is usually portaited. But even the other roles are casted with pain-staking care and of course brilliantly played. In this story, I will among others point out the very good performance of the lovely Barbara Wilshere as the pursued young, cycling woman and Michael Siberry's unforgettable portraying of the red-headed ruffian Woodley.

The environments -- the exteriors as well as the interior Victorian details -- have never been made better than in the Granada Sherlock Holmes series, and this puzzling and very thrilling episode is no exception from the rule. I think it is one of the best, although almost every one of them are of high quality. I have all of them and couldn't live without them. Watch it and enjoy good acting, beautiful English panoramas and excellent movie craftmanship to the fullest!

The Solitary Cyclist
Like all of the episodes in The Adventures of SH series, "The Solitary Cyclist" is great. I love the fight scene between Holmes and Woodley. It was great.

Holmes's Fight
One of my favorite Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes. A woman, a cyclist is being followed by another cyclist who looks scary and follows her everywhere. See the results and who this man is! A very exciting ending. This is a great Sherlock Holmes. Holmes and a man, one of the main charactors, a bad man get into a fight. It's pretty funny. Jeremy Brett acts like one of those proffessional boxers. At the end of the fight, the man is lying on a table in a bar room unconscious. This film is great!

Granada and Brett deliver again.
After coming across a copy of another Granada episode (The Bruce-Partington Plans) in a local store, I've been slowly accumulating the tapes of other episodes, most recently The Solitary Cyclist, which was one of my favorites of Conan Doyle's stories.

As always, Granada and Jeremy Brett deliver. I adore Brett; no other actor has come close to portraying Sherlock Holmes nearly so faithfully or so fascinatingly as he has. Brett's Holmes is frequently not at /all/ a likeable person (a fact illustrated with particular clarity in this episode), any more than Doyle's original was. What he /is/ is brilliant, intriguingly dramatic, and endearingly eccentric, with occasional flashes of compassion and sensitivity.

It's very difficult to steal a scene either from Brett or from Holmes himself, and no one pulls it off in The Solitary Cyclist. David Burke is a good, dependable Watson who can't help but be left in Holmes' intellectual dust, but is far from the phlegmatic simpleton that other actors have portrayed the character as (coughNigelBrucecough). Also notable are Barbara Wilshere as a confident and capable Violet Smith, John Castle playing Bob Carruthers with understated dignity, and Michael Siberry as the positively skin-crawlingly slimy Mr. Woodley.

As I've come to expect from Granada, the episode is a faithful rendering of the original story, with a large amount of the dialogue nearly verbatim, and painstaking attention to period detail.

Favorite moments:

Holmes' pained response to his chemical experiment being interrupted, against the combined forces of the immovable Mrs. Hudson and the adamant Miss Smith. And Holmes' subsequent rather gentle handling of Miss Smith, particularly his examination (with only a passing request for permission) of her hand and authoritative displaying to Watson of "a certain spirituality in the face," and the soft delivery of the refrain, "I never guess." I love Jeremy Brett's voice.

Holmes sniping at Watson over his "failure"--he's really horrible, and I can't help but love it. Especially towards the end of the discussion: "Did I really do remarkably badly?" "...Yes!"

The impromptu boxing match with Woodley, and Holmes' gloating to Watson afterwards. ("It was absolutely delicious. A straight left against a slogging ruffian.")

The falling action, in which Holmes lays out the entire plot to Watson and two of the erstwhile conspirators as though he'd known everything all along.

And the last scene--the positively childish trick with the newspaper, and the sudden scramble to the window after the mishap with the chemical reaction.

The Return of John Castle
This is one of my absolute favortie videos because of both Jeremy Brett and John Castle. John Castle is, in my opinion, one of the best British actors from the time of Peter O'Toole and Anthony Hopkins, both of which he has costarred with. The only major movie he has ever done was "The Lion in Winter", so it was nice to see him again in something more recent. Another reason this video is so entertaining is because Jeremy Brett shows a side of Holmes that is not often seen. As mentioned by the other reviewers, the chemistry scene alone is worth the purchase of the video. It's quite interesting to see two grown men behaving like children, especially Holmes and Watson. One gets the feeling from other actors playing Sherlock Holmes that Holmes keeps Watson around because he is amused by Watson's lack of observing abilities. With Brett, he conveys an affection for Watson not often seen in other films, showing why he keeps Watson around and takes him with him on his cases. Absolutely delightful. If you do see this, try to check out "The Lion in Winter" also to see a significantly younger Castle (who plays Carruthers). ... Read more

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One of the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, The Blue Carbuncle is given exciting treatment in this Granada Television adaptation, featuring Jeremy Brett and David Burke in definitive performances as the famous detective and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson. The story concerns the disappearance of a gem called the Blue Carbuncle, which has been hidden inside the crop of a Christmas goose and which is linked to a terrible history of murders, suicides, attacks, and robberies. Stolen from the Countess of Morcar (Rosalind Knight), the jewel's trail leads Holmes all over wintry London and to a decision that stuns Watson in its legal and ethical implications. Tightly woven and cleverly adapted from the page, The Blue Carbuncle is a worthy adaptation of a classic tale. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Best Victorian Christmas Mystery!
"The Blue Carbuncle" is one of my favorites in this excellent series. Holmes and Watson must spend the holidays engaged in a baffling jewel theft, while encountering lost hats and geese, down-on-their-luck intellectuals, and a hostile livestock merchant along the way. This episode is both hilarous and touching, as Holmes shows a side of himself very rarely seen. Though Holmes and Watson are brilliantly played, the superb acting of the supporting characters makes this one stand out: the character of Mr. Henry Baker as a down-on-his-luck, aging intellectual is given with inspiring dignity, and the poultry merchant at Covent Garden steals his hilarious scene with his inexplicable hostility toward inquiries about his precious geese. This episode is the perfect blend of Christmas story, detective fiction, and morality tale, and no modern-day Holmes collection should be without it!

Forget the Grinch -- Run This One at Christmastime!
An impeccable entry in the Granada series. Remarkably faithful to the short story, this puzzler comes equipped with all the high-water elements you've come to expect from these productions: brilliant cast, story, sets, costuming, and a faithful adherance to period. Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes is flawless. Any actor thinking of donning the deerstalker and inverness might just as well forget it: Brett has put Holmes in his pocket and carried it away into history. The final two scenes of this holiday mystery capture the "goodwill toward men" that not only will have tears streaming down your cheeks, but gives us a glimpse of humanity in the icy-cold Mr. Holmes.

the OTHER great Victorian Christmas story
If you've run A CHRISTMAS CAROL to death, try THE BLUE CARBUNCLE as your next holiday movie. Not that you have to wait until Christmas to enjoy this one. It gets my vote as the single best episode of the superb Granada Holmes series (and there is a lot of competition for the distinction.) Victorian London has never looked colder and bleaker. An innocent man is accused of a robbery, and the stolen object turns up in a most unlikely place. Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery and must also deal with his own conscience. The superb cast does excellent ensemble work and the film's production values are outstanding.

Well-done.
But regarding the other review, see my retort in my review of 'The Empty House'.

The perfect companion to the original Doyle story!
I write this review, not only for "The Blue Carbuncle," but for nearly all of the videos in the series. Jeremy Brett is the perfect Sherlock Holmes because he adds his own persona to his role, which is something that Hollywood actors can't do because they are too busy counting their millions in the middle of rehearsing. Brett played Holmes for 41 episodes and dominated all of them. Both David Burke and Edward Hardwicke play wonderful Watsons and 221b never looked cozier. The Basil Rathbone b+w's don't do Holmes enough justice in my opinion. Jeremy Brett not only makes Holmes a calculating machine of deduction, but gives him life and energy with wonderful mannerisms and expressions. If you are a Holmes lover or just checking this out for the first time, chances are you'll be sucked in and enjoy each episode over and over again. ... Read more

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A young solicitor, McFarlane (Matthew Solon), comes to Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) begging for help just before being arrested by the sturdy if obtuse Inspector Lestrade (Colin Jeavins) of Scotland Yard. McFarlane is accused of killing a man who not only asked the attorney to draw up his will, but then left all of his possessions to McFarlane in the document. Add to this obvious motive for murder plenty of physical evidence linking the unhappy suspect to the awful crime--including a bloody thumbprint at the scene--and Holmes and his ally, Dr. Watson (David Burke), have their work cut out for them. The ingenious solution to the puzzle is only one of the exciting highlights in this episode of the long-running Granada Television series, featuring the usual sterling work by stars Brett and Burke and a sound character interpretation of the limited Lestrade by Jeavins. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Norwood Builder
The "Norwood Builder" is a top-rate adventure of Sherlock Holmes. It is one of my favourite adventures. It has a light feel to it (unlike the ones with darker story-lines, such as the "Red Circle"). The episode is best watched over lunch. The story-line is actually quite simple. Sherlock Holmes must prove that John Hector MacFarlane did not commit the murder of the "Norwood Builder." This is a must for anyone who even remotely enjoys Sherlock Holmes.

Very Clever Entry
Holmes takes on the case of a young solicitor accused of arson and murder. He enters the case with his work cut out for him, as the circumstantial evidence against the young lawyer is very strong, and the motive an excellent one. Holmes must prove his client innocent in the face of mounting evidence as he matches wits with the stubborn and un-creative Inspector Lestrade. In this installment of Holmes mysteries, the late, lamented Jeremy Brett shows the melancholy side of Holmes as the case turns against him. Colin Jeavons is excellent as Lestrade, but the character of MacFarland seems much too unconcerned about his fate to be effective; a little more emotion and indignation would have helped a considerable amount. The unravelling of the mystery is both ingenious and funny, as Holmes outwits Scotland Yard, saves his client, and comes face to face with "a very deep, vindictive, and malicious" culprit. A worthy effort.

Jeremy Brett's Holmes: 8th Wonder of the World!
To be able to sustain the high level of quality and value that this Holmes series does, is a breath-taking accomplishment by itself. And this episode is another drop in the bucket of examples, book-ended by Brett's truly masterful portrayal of the legendary Holmes. Colin Jeavons joins in with his recurring characterization of Inspector Lestrade, self-important, mousey and patronizingly dismissive of his intellectual superior, Holmes. As with Conan Doyle's short story, this is a maze of mystery and deceit. But even Watson takes on an added allure as he suggests to Holmes a review of bank papers, which Holmes hadn't even considered and the result drops another conclusion into Sherlock's deductive reasoning. Good old Watson! (and a splendid job by Burke). Brett shows us another glimpse into Holmes benign contempt of the official police force with his rallying them into a chorus of "Fire!" ("gentlemen, we can do better than that") and again the master dons a disguise that is unexpected and fascinating (both for Sherlock and Jeremy Brett). It is especially fun to watch Brett's Holmes subtly shift his demeanor as he sees the light at the end of the tunnel and knows he can throw it in the face of Lestrade. Kudos all the way around for this excellent episode . . . and a series so well made that you will want to rush out and read the original stories!

A wonderful character arc
THE NORWOOD BUILDER is a tour de force for Jeremy Brett. At the beginning of the story Holmes is depressed and petulant because he has no work. He is overjoyed when the unhappy John Hector McFarlane seeks his help in clearing him of a murder which he swears he did not commit.To Holmes it is simply another 'interesting problem.' The look on David Burke's face speaks volumes as Holmes sheds crocodile tears for the 'poor client'. Inspector LeStrade feels that he can hang this man. The evidence appears to be definitive, and it looks almost as if he has gotten the jump on Holmes in solving the case. Holmes becomes more and more agitated and compassionate as he realizes that the boy is indeed innocent and that Lestrade may indeed succeed in hanging him. There are lovely visuals, with Holmes perching like a vulture on the ruins of a burned house; Watson seen through a window hurriedly gathering papers inside a library while Holmes queries a constable in the foreground; and many other cinematic touches that make this show and many others in the series better cinema than many theatrical features made at the same time. The cast is outstanding, particularly Colin Jeavons as Inspector Lestrade and Jeremy Brett as a very complex Holmes who is by no means an emotionless 'calculating machine'. It is genuinely startling to see Brett incognito in this episode; the contrast between the 'disguise' and the detective has never been greater. An excellent show. ... Read more

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Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) fetches Dr. John Watson (David Burke)from the latter's Paddington medical practice on an urgent mission: Colonel James Barclay (Denys Hawthorne), commanding officer of the Royal Munsters, has been found dead in his home, his comatose wife (Lisa Daniely) beside him. If that's not mystery enough, Holmes also concludes that there was a stranger on the premises, and something else: something ate the Barclays' pet canary. While Holmes and Watson work quickly to clear the widow's name of any suspicion in her husband's death, a weird, badly stooped man (Norman Jones) is playing conjurer's tricks in pubs and holding onto the secret of the Barclays' misfortune. This episode in the long-running Granada Television series is a fascinating puzzle all around, highlighted by a long flashback into a grim tale of treachery and revenge. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A sleeper Holmes mystery
At first, one thinks Conan Doyle was off on a twisted tangent. But as the story progresses, it becomes evident this is a story about long-lasting love and survival. This is a good story which brings Holmes to a very troubling conclusion, but proves to be told as it should be told. As the story unfolds, we already want to know more about the mysterious "crooked man." Try this Holmes mystery, you might enjoy the new approach.

Not one of my favorites
I love Jeremy Brett and the Granada series, but I found this episode to be a little boring. But then "The Crooked Man" isn't one of my favorite Holmes stories to begin with so that may have something to do with it. Still, the episode is well done and I would recommend watching it if you like the other episodes in this series.

Very well adapted
THE CROOKED MAN is not a faithful adaptation of the original story, but it is a good one. Visual media differ from print, and one must make allowances for this. It's a fine mystery in its own right with a very convincing Indian flashback. Jeremy Brett is a little more brusque than usual in this episode but is still the definitive Holmes. I love the shot where he measures out clues in an extreme longshot that reduces him to little more than a black stick figure on screen. The other actors are all first rate and this is a very atmospheric and eerie episode. ... Read more

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The very first Sherlock Holmes short story (following the detective's introduction in the novels A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four) was also the first Granada Television production in the long-running Holmes series featuring Jeremy Brett's definitive performance as the famous sleuth. No deerstalker cap, cape, curved meerschaum pipe, or Rathbone mannerisms for this Holmes: Brett's portrayal went straight to the heart of the character Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created, with all the manic-depressive, coldly clinical, drug-dependent, and unnervingly focused brilliance intact. Just as on-the-money is David Burke's Dr. John Watson, who is hardly the loyal puppy of widespread assumption but rather a dedicated ally and determined chronicler of the publicity-wary Holmes. A Scandal in Bohemia, ironically, is one of the few instances of Holmes being bested by an equally intelligent adversary--an actress by the name of Irene Adler (Gayle Hunnicutt), who has threatened to reveal damaging evidence of her own affair with the King of Bohemia (Wolf Kahler), a ridiculous pseudonym invented by Watson to protect the real royal personage in trouble. It's Holmes to the rescue, going undercover in disguise to take away the blackmailer's trump, though it's he whose head will ultimately be turned by the extraordinary Irene. The cast is wonderful (meet Rosalie Williams as Baker Street housekeeper Mrs. Hudson), and the drama is great fun. (For a contemporary movie reinvention of this story, check out the 1998 feature Zero Effect, starring Bill Pullman as a whacked-out variation on Holmes, Ben Stiller as his long-suffering Watson, and Kim Dickens as an updated Irene.) --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Enough to Make Merchant/Ivory Jealous
The entire Granada series is nothing short of superb. This first entry is a shining example of what kind of magic you can create when you "do it right." Faithful to the story and period, it boasts a top-notch cast. Let there be no mistake: The late Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. Having seen and enjoyed Rathbone, Richardson, Cushing, Lee, John Wood, et. al., those performances all wither against Brett's. He has captured the essense of the world's greatest amatuer consulting detective perfectly. It will be a long time (if ever) that his work will be surpassed. "Scandal" is worth every cent to any lover of Holmes and mysteries. Just the physical change that Holmes (and Brett) creates between his persona, the "handyman" and the vicar are staggering! Pop it into your VCR, light your pipe, and whisk yourself straight back into Victorian England and the wonderful world of Mr. Sherlock Holmes!

Super
Although it later declined into sentimentality and melodramatic excess, Jeremy Brett's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes was a revelation back in the '80s. This might be the best of his Granada series (tied with "The Speckled Band"). It's a solid, extremely well-acted version of the first and maybe greatest Sherlock Holmes short story -- crisp, witty, and entirely wonderful.

A Good Start
This is pretty much the perfect story for someone to butcher Holmes' character in so you know you're dealing with competent people when they can get this one right and not have Holmes get too emotionally involved with Irene Adler. In addition to being faithful to Arthur Conan Doyle's story, this episode features some of Brett's finest acting. Gayle Hunnicutt is also wonderful as "the woman" and, of course, David Burke is always wonderful as Dr. Watson. I would highly recommend this episode.

A little boring, but entertaining
This is a great Jeremy Brett where a woman outsmarts Sherlock Holmes! It's very funny infact this is one of the first Jeremy Brett's and it is great!

The first and best of the Granada series
One of the few people who ever out-smarted Sherlock Holmes just happened to be a woman. That is why "A Scandal in Bohemia" works so well. Unless you are familiar with one of the most well-known and well-speculated Holmes stories, the ending will come as a surprise to you. I have not seen all the Granada episodes of Sherlock Holmes, but their first entry comes out of the gates at warp-speed. Highly recommend this to anyone. ... Read more

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This terrific episode from the Granada Television series is based on a truly popular tale from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes canon.One of the more curious mysteries the famous detective has ever encountered (and one that makes him and Dr. Watson laugh), the story has a pawnbroker named Wilson (John Woodnutt) hearing from an assistant about a wealthy foundation, the Red Headed League, dedicated to the "propagation and spread of... redheads as well as [to] their maintenance." Bearing a full head of fiery hair himself, Wilson applies for consideration and is given a strange job copying an encyclopedia by hand, alone in a small office. After seeing notice of the League's dissolution, Wilson approaches Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke, the original series actor). Holmes ultimately gets to the bottom of things, but also experiences the enmity of a surprise figure, who turns up in the last few seconds. (He's not in Doyle's story, so don't bother looking.) Good fun all around, especially for Holmes fans who would enjoy seeing this unique story well adapted for the screen. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Not bad.
For being a low budget film, Sherlock Holmes and the Red Headed League was not bad. Jeremy Brett played Sherlock Holmes wonderfully. Unlike some Holmes actors, Brett actually had a decent British accent and coal black hair.
The vidoes story line is very similar to the regular stories, and is a good alternative if you do not desire to read the the short story.
The only thing not great about the video is the fact that the cassette is not top quality. The tape has a much greater probability to become messed up, then one from the Walt Disney Company or Warner Brothers.
However, if you want to see the tape, you are almost compelled to buy it, because the library systems to not carry the tapes, and if they happened to have one or two, they are usually messed up. Blockbuster also rarely carried the tapes. So if seeing Jeremy Brett perform as Sherlock Holmes is worth twenty dollars then go for it.

A Good Job on a Classic Story
The company that did this Sherlock Holmes series did a wonderful job with it. This is one of the more popular stories involving Holmes, and they adapted it very well. Listing to Jabez recount all the topics under the letter "A" that he copied out of the encyclopedia is very entertaining. Another nice thing about the episode was the appearance of Tim McInnerny (Percy/Darling from the classic Black Adder series or, for people not familiar with it, the bumbling henchman for Cruella DeVil from 102 Dalmations). This is the only role I have ever seen him do where he didn't play a total idiot. He should try doing it more often, because he did a wonderful job. The casting was well done, everyone looked the way that I pictured them in my head while I was reading the story. Wonderful!

Beautifully done, and hilarious
THE REDHEADED LEAGUE shows Arthur Conan Doyle's superb sense of comedy. Portions of this story play like a Monty Python sketch, and the clever adaptors at Granada know not to take any of this too seriously. John Woodnutt is hilarious as the self-pitying Jabez Wilson, and everyone else in the cast is similarly superb. There is a startling touch in this episode--I may never read of Holmes 'springing up from the sofa' again without seeing Jeremy Brett's acrobatic take on that particular phrase. It's outrageous, but it works, and he manages to do it it in a very elegant fashion. Brett also manages to make a drab Victorian frock coat appear to be the most graceful and fashionable of garments. I consider this one of my top five favorites, though there is a lot of competition. ... Read more

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What is the meaning of the stick figures that appear scrawled one day on the exterior wall of a Northfolk manor? Why do they so terribly upset the American wife (Betsey Brantley) of the gentleman (Tenniel Evans) who lives there? The case proves one of the most tantalizing for Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson (David Burke). Then it proves among the gravest of Holmes's career when murder enters the picture and the distraught woman is charged with the crime. This is one of those stories from the Holmes canon that practically invites an adaptation; Sherlockians will enjoy seeing the oddly disturbing "dancing men" on screen, while newcomers to Holmes will find the tale particularly compelling. As always, Jeremy Brett remains the definitive Holmes. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The ending isn't that great
I love this film. It is one of the best Sherlock Holmes. I really like it because I like the Shelock Holmes that follow the original story. For some reason I didn't find the ending that great. The sinpector, followed by Holmes's request just puts a gun up to the man's head and he tells his story. The rest of it is exciting and greatly acted!

Excellent adaptation, with one curious exception
This lovely film has a fine murder mystery and a code based on the one used in Poe's THE GOLD BUG. I enjoyed Brett and Burke's performances, as usual. It is the first time I ever saw Holmes lose a client as a result of a mistake he made, and the expression on Brett's face is marvellous when he realizes his error.

My one negative reaction was to the American actors; the villain did not have anything resembling a Chicagoan accent and it was a little foolish having him ride up to the house in a 19th century cowpoke's outfit. Not exactly the typical outfit one would wear if one was a Chicago gangster, even if it was the 19th century...

This is a rare lapse for the Granada series, usually so fine in its recreation of the costumes and manners of different nationalities of the time.

It's a small problem, though, and THE DANCING MEN is a good production. Listen for Patrick Gowers' sly paraphrase of Debussy's NEW WORLD SYMPHONY on the soundtrack. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) are approached by Dr. Percy Trevelyan (Nicholas Clay), a specialist in nervous diseases who is the recipient of a rare good deal for a practicing doctor: a man named Blessington (Patrick Newell) had set him up in an office in exchange for free medical care. Despite several successful years of this arrangement, Blessington has become suddenly agitated. After Holmes approaches him, Blessington is found hanging in his room. This episode from the long-running Granada Television series has the wish-fulfillment benefit of seeing the incomparable Brett enact one of Holmes's most dramatic and complex deductions (relating to what really happened to Blessington). A terrific show, from the earliest and perhaps best years of the series. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Recommended
There are some of Doyle's Holmes stories that I never truly appreciated until I saw the Granada version. "The Resident Patient" is one of them. I would highly recommend it.

The film Music
As noteable as Jeremy Brett is composer Patrick Gowers. While maintaining a sense of theme-related continuity throughout the entire series, the score for each film is very much an original, which he invariably gets exactly right every time! I would like to know more about him. A quick internet search hints at a prolific, gifted and eclectic composer. I found choral, orchestral,guitar and organ music in recordings and performances. Somewhere I found the mention that Holmes' violin solo(s) are played by his (Gowers) daughter, Kathy; and so the sense of a gifted amateur. Anyhow, can anyone tell us more about him?

One of the First, One of the Best.
This is one of the first Granada Sherlock Holmes films and, in my opinion, it is one of the best. Not only does it, like all the Granada films, remain true to Conan Doyle's original story, but it arrests your mind, if only for one hour! Both Jeremy Brett and David Burke show their superb acting abilities and, since it was an early one some people think that Jeremy Brett was still awkward with his new role, he portrays the master detective like no other person could. He portrays him as a human.

This story, The Resident Patient, is one of the most interesting of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries because of it's many subtleties, seemingly unrelated clues and occurences, and, of course, Holmes's astonishing revelations. Your mind races to keep up with his! That is why this film, like all of the Granada films, deserves 5 stars.

Perhaps the best of the series!
"The Resident President" is one of my all-time favorites of this impeccable series, due to the complexity of the mystery, incredible performances by Brett and Nicholas Clay, and a wry sense of humor. Holmes takes the case of a young, brilliant physician (played with amusing haughtiness by Clay) whose benefactor and business partner has been behaving in a most bizarre manner. After the "resident patient" is found dead of an apparent suicide, Holmes digs deeper to reveal a case of cold, chilling revenge. The scene where Holmes silently pieces together the circumstances of the murder is nothing short of sheer brilliance by the late Jeremy Brett. I agree with the reviewer who applauded the producers' decision to let the scene be filmed without dialogue and let the actors act! This is perhaps the most memeorable scene in the entire series, and that says a lot! Nicholas Clay's clueless-ness over the entire mystery is quite amusing. "The Resident Patient" is simply a must for Holmes fans and collectors of this series.

They went Hollywood.
Some 'episodes' are very good, but this one sticks out in my mind as being particularly bad. I don't mind that they made up things which didn't really happen to Holmes and Watson, but the things they made up were Hollywood creations, such as the opening dream sequence. The Beethoven Cto 'subplot' was full of it. I recommend buying a different 'episode', a good one, such as 'The Redheaded League' or 'The Dancing Men'. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Just as Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) is lamenting the state of his investigation practice--"[It] seems to be degenerating into an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young ladies from boarding schools"--a letter arrives that would seem to make matters even worse. But only temporarily: the missive is from a Violet Hunter (Natasha Richardson), who seeks advice on whether to accept a position as governess at the Copper Beeches, the home of a genuine oddball named Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) and his equally strange family. Among Violet's duties if she accepts the job are cutting her long hair, wearing a dress chosen by Rucastle each day, and sitting with her back to a window while he entertains her for an hour or so each day with hilarious stories. Just what is going on? This fine adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's clever mystery is absolutely engrossing, and as usual Brett's performance as the famed detective is flawless and true to Doyle's original vision. David Burke does his typically stellar work as Watson, and the addition of one great veteran (Ackland) and one talented then-newcomer (Richardson) to the cast is a real treat. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (5)

another keeper
This is a must-see episode of the Granada series. It is very well done. Jeremy Brett is, of course, great as Holmes. I love the way he made the speech about the "unobservant public". He captured Holmes' arrogance quite well. I concur that Mr. Brett's portrayal of the unoffical consulting detective was definitive. David Burke was also wonderful as Watson. The other actors in the episode are great as well. Natasha Richardson did a very good job as Violet Hunter. My only complaint: I wished that Jeremy Brett had been in the episode a little more.

Another 5 star
Again, it has been done. A movie has been faithfully transcribed to film, and yet nothing is lost. Indeed, this is one of the best in the series.(I say that about all of them, but oh well.) The movie opens to find Holmes in a tantrum because he thinks that he has been hit the rock bottom in his career. However, Violet Hunter's intution is not wrong. Something is definately afoot at the Copper Beeches. The investigation hits its climax inside the turret of a mansion. It is great to see Brett and Burke dashing around while being locked in small confines. Holmes looks just like a caged animal. Stop reading and buy this movie!

"Capital! Oh, Capital!"
With the above phrase, eccentric Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) hires unemployed governess (Violet Hunter) Natasha Richardson to care for his only son in his desolate manor house in rural England. However, Rucastle's demands of Miss Hunter border on the bizarre, and she consults the great detective Holmes to unravel the mystery of The Copper Beaches and why she was really hired. This early Granada episode is nearly flawless. A crucial element I admire so much about this series is the uniformly excellent acting given by all players. Brett and Burke are their usual sublime selves; Ackland is perfectly creepy as Rucastle; however, the clear standout here is Natasha Richardson. Her film debut here is nothing short of superb. Richardson is wholly believable as a strong, independent woman nearly frightened to death by the harrowing circumstances she finds herself in. The first exchange between her character and Holmes is a delight: Holmes, indifferent and annoyed by her at first, is quickly swayed to her cause by Richardson's sly and subtle play on his sympathies. Subsequently, Richardson's scene where her character is frantically consulting Holmes about the strange events is brilliant: Richardson's fright is almost palpable, and the viewer immediately gains her sympathy. I must say I've rarely ever seen such an impressive screen debut as hers. The fact that Natasha Richardson is a stunningly beautiful woman doesn't hurt, either. Highly recommended

Very engaging
The Copper Beaches has all the right ingredients for a fun and entertaining mystery. There is a governess in distress, a murky old mansion, a prisoner in a shuttered turret, and of course, Jeremy Brett as Holmes. The mystery is quite intriguing and reminiscent of Jane Eyre. However, as with all the Holmes stories the real attraction is the relationship between Holmes and Watson. This story gives some great insight into the singular personality of Holmes and Watson's loyalty in putting up with his eccentricities. All in all, it's great fun.

A stunning adaptation
Granada's take on The Copper Beeches is a masterly effort, with Jeremy Brett in excellent form and David Burke similarly superb. The marvellous, eerie story is handled beautifully by the creative team, Bill Craig's adaptation being true to the original and maintaining a maximum of suspense. Joss Ackland's performance is terrific, and Natasha Richardson makes her mark wonderfully. Altogether a splendid outing for the Granada team. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Another of the strongest entries in the long-running Sherlock Holmes Television series from Granada, The Speckled Band finds distraught Helen Stoner (Rosalyn Landor) coming to Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) in fear for her life since announcing her betrothal. The reason: Helen's sister Julia (Denise Armon) died mysteriously and in apparent terror in her bedroom two years earlier, on the night before her own wedding. The only clue to her death was Julia's strange reference to a "speckled band," uttered among her final words. Threatened to keep out of the case by Helen's fearsome stepfather (John Gill), Holmes and Watson proceed anyway, uncovering (in Watson's words) a "horrible and subtle crime" that is among author Arthur Conan Doyle's most imaginative. This episode has it all: a damsel in distress, a considerable villain, lots of suspense, and a solution worth waiting for. Brett and Burke are at the top of their game as Doyle's dynamic duo; this story was, in fact, Doyle's personal favorite from the Holmes canon. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

I love it!
This episode is very well done. I love the firepoker scene. That scene is my second favorite one from the canon and I was not disappointed with it here. I love the expression on Burke's face when Holmes straightens out the firepoker and the way Brett smiles after he does it. It is priceless. The rest of the episode is great as well. I highly recommend it.

A little Spooky!
Probably all of you know The Speckled Band. This is one of the most favorite and famous Conan Doyle's. It it a little spooky at the end when they're waiting in the empty cottage and the lamp flickers. They go in and wait holding the guns in the darkness. Soon tey find an ?asp? huddled around the father's neck and head. Jeremy Brett is perfect in this role and this is one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes.

"It is not cold which makes me shiver."
Everyone's favorite Sherlock Holmes story (including Conan Doyle), here given a loving and utterly faithful rendition. The great conversation leading up to Watson's "we are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime" will send chills up your spine. One of the best of this memorable series.

Excellent adaption of Conan Doyle's most thrilling tale
This is easily one of the better enteries in the Granada Sherlock Holmes series. It boasts excellent acting, a horrid villian, and ample suspense. This is generally faithful to the story and retains much of the dialogue, including Holmes's initial confrontation with the sinister Doctor Grimesby Roylott. Other highlights include the opening scene, the stakeout on the Roylott compound, and the shattering climax where Holmes and Watson discover the secret of their client's woes and of the truth behind "the speckled band."

What Becomes A Legend Most? This Series!
To me, it would seem like filming such an oft-read classic like this would be equal to trying to re-invent Santa Claus: How do you keep people from hating you? But Grenada proves up to the task and the result is marvelous! The atmosphere, terror, dark suspense and ultimate horror found in the Conan Doyle story fill each and every frame of this loving adaptation. The cast has captured their characters with amazing clarity and Brett continues to prove that he and only he was born to play Sherlock Holmes! I always wondered exactly what it would have been like to watch Holmes deal with a bent poker and this enactment satisfied and impressed me. "I really have some scruples about bringing you along tonight, Watson..." and rightfully so. Add this to your video collection! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ladies and gentemen, meet Sherlock Holmes's older brother, Mycroft. Oneof the most delightful surprises in the Holmes canon of stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the introduction of Mycroft is wonderfully realized in this Granada Television adaptation. Charles Gray stars as the larger-than-life yet shadowy Holmes sibling who rarely leaves his beloved Diogenes Club and, in effect, runs the British government with his long memory for policies and details. The case he brings to Sherlock (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) is unnerving in its suggestion of real brutality: a professional interpreter of Mycroft's acquaintance was kidnapped and threatened with harm the night before if he did not agree to translate for another hostage, a Greek man under obvious duress and probable torture. The subsequent investigation runs afoul of some truly nasty people who will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. But before that happens, we're treated to the memorable moment when Sherlock and Mycroft essentially compete in their analysis of an old soldier seen from a window. Great stuff. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Crime story, not detective story
Conan Doyle has let us down. There's little deduction in this story. Strangely, it's a tale of crime, not subtle at all. However, the dramatization, acting, and ambiance are as usual outstanding.

Another masterpiece from Granada
Well, what can I say, besides typical English quality throughout, as usual! This episode, once again with the genius Jeremy Brett as Holmes (after him it must be an impossible task to play the role as Conan Doyle's detective for any actor), also introduces Sherlock Holmes brother Mycroft and has a thrilling story about a Greek man held prisoner and tortured in a house by a couple of sinister blokes who tries to persuade him to sign a paper. An innocent greek interpreter falls into danger as he gets involved against his will, and his situation becomes especially dangerous as he decides to reveal everything to Sherlock Holmes. The story, the acting, the directing and the Victorian atmosphere -- everything is splendidly made, and quite close to Conan Doyle's novel. The high tempo ending scene on a train is unforgettable.

Besides the title characters I will especially say hats off to George Costigan for his brilliant performance as the laughing villain, a man who comes close to the devil himself -- and plays him (with glasses and a splendid austrian accent) in a way that makes a chill run down your spine, as well as delivering somewhat of a comical satire on Peter Lorre. One of the best psycopaths I've ever seen on film! Don't miss it.

In addition I can only say: see all of Granada's Sherlock Holmes series! You won't be dissapointed.

A Wonderful Episode
This was the first episode I watched of the Granada series but it definitely was not the last. It is largely faithful to Arthur Conan Doyle's short story. The main difference is that the ending was changed but I personally feel that it made the story better. While I found Doyle's ending to be quite intriguing on paper, I think that the non-canonical ending works better on screen. And I can not compliment Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes enough. He was wonderful. He was marvelous. He was incredible. I most definitely concur with those who consider his performance to be definitive. David Burke was also great as Watson. He portrayed the doctor exactly as the character should be portrayed. The other actors in this episode are great as well. I would highly recommend it.

One exciting ending!
One of my favorite Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes. The Greek Interpertator has one of the first appearances by Mycroft. The ending is neat, where Holmes, Mycroft, and Watson are on a train following the criminals. Enjoy!

Outstanding and creepy
One aspect of this series that I have always enjoyed is the sly humor that the writers, directors, composer, and actors brought to their respective roles. There are marvellous things in this episode; George Costigan's spot-on Peter Lorre impersonation is great black humor already, but watch how even a small touch from the little man sends people twice his size hurtling through a doorway! He's a fitting match for the triumvirate of Holmes, Holmes, and Watson. Charles Grey and Jeremy Brett obviously are having a lot of fun playing the two brilliant brothers, and David Burke is appropriately puzzled and intrigued by the bizarre Diogenes Club. He also actually functions as a doctor in this episode, though he seems to prescribe 'brandy' as his medication of choice. Still, everyone is marvellously convincing. The addition of the train chase at the end is a distinct improvement on the original story and completely in character--my favorite bit is when Holmes gives Watson complete analyses of each person in each railway compartment as they search for the killer. My one complaint is that we never learn what became of the deed that the poor Greek prisoner had to sign--it must have been pretty important! But that's a small complaint. For good, stylish, noirish fun, this is one of the best episodes of this fine series. ... Read more

Description

Wealthy sportsman Tom Newcliffe has bagged every sort of big gametrophy, except one--a werewolf! Newcliffe has summoned six guests to his isolatedcountry estate for the weekend. Once they have arrived, he announces that one of them isa werewolf and they are all part of a deadly game he has devised. The game will endwhen the moon is full and the cursed soul is hunted down and killed. Horror superstarPeter Cushing leads the cast in this edge-of-your-seat chiller that will keep you guessingright up to the last blood-curdling scream--a must-see for fans of mystery and themacabre. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN
I recently purchased this film on DVD purely as a matter of nostalgia.

This flick first caught my attention one dark, lonely night when I was five or six years old and suffering from my seasonal allergies and asthma attack. This movie both entertained me and scared me to death. It has been twenty-three years since I last saw it and, to my surprise, I still think it's a really good movie, though for very different reasons.

Sure they put a fur coat on a black dog and expect us to buy it as a wolf. Sure the soundtrack seems better suited to "Shaft in Merry Ol' England" as opposed to a modern gothic horror film. Sure the acting is heavily stylized and, at times, just plain goofy. Sure the "Werewolf Break" in which the audience is given thirty seconds in which to dissect a fairly uncomplicated mystery is way out in Goofyville, but who cares?! Anyone who finds fault with the above is, quite obviously, someone who should not be watching this film in the first place. Like many films made in the long ago and far away, you have to accept a certain level of culture shock. Like many horror films you have to be willing to suspend your disbelief nigh on to the breaking point. Like many British films you have to put up with acting that seems more suited to Stratford on Avon than Dogma 95. Accept these as simple facts of life or don't rent it, folks. It's just that simple.

I've read several negative reviews for this particular film which stress the above elements over and over again. Surprisingly, many of these are written by avowed horror hounds who would probably love the movie if it had nudity and/or more gore. I'm certainly no prude and would turn away from neither should a "Director's Cut" of "The Beast Must Die" ever surface. Then again, sometimes it really is nice to see a horror film like this or any of the Amicus vignette films of the sixties and seventies ("Tales From the Crypt," "The Vault of Horror," "Asylum," et. al.) They have an innocense and a joviality that you just don't find often enough. Though some recent horror fare (most notably the "House on Haunted Hill" remake and any episode of HBO's "Tales From the Crypt") attempt to emulate the feel of a picture like this, they always seem to miss the mark. Perhaps its because they are much more willing to let fly with the gore and nudity. The resulting product hence becoming muddled somewhere between childishness and exploitativeness. (For a further discussion of this see the write-up of Stephen King's "Maximum Overdrive" penned by the good people at Jabootu.com).

In closing, if you like seventies kitsch or Brit horror of the period or if you just find yourself in the mood for a watchable mystery, you could do a hell of a lot worse. I mean, "Murder, She Wrote" could still be on the air.

Pure comedy with 70's cheese and groove!
I love this film! It was`nt really meant to be taken that seriously back in 1974 when it first appeared, almost 30 years on, it can only get better! The parts that are meant to be funny are good, the parts that are NOT are even more hilarious! You can't help but think that everyone on set had a great time making this film and it shows. Highlights include; Peter Cushing's dodgy accent, meant to be German but frequently sounding Indian, Calvin Lockhart's accent and mannerisms, The werewolf who looks more like an Alsation dog, the dodgy (but funny) bad acting in general, groovy 70's tunes plus fab clothing and to cap it all the legendary 'Werewolf break'. You`ll have to watch the film to know what I'm on about. All in all, a great comedy/horror with groovy 70's funk capped with a copious amount of cheese, making for an entertaining and hilarious night in front of the box. Highly recommended.

agatha christie wit a werewolf thrown in
THE ROUGH OUTLINE OF THE PLOT IS WHERE A RICH SPORTSMAN INVITES SOME GUESTS WHO ARE ALL UNDER SUSPICION OF BEING A WEREWOLF. A JACKPOT GAMEPRIZE WHO THE SPORTSMAN IS DETERMINED TO CATCH.
AS A KID I FOUND THE FILM SPOOKY BUT RECENTLY ALSO FOUND THE FILM ENJOYABLE FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.ALTHOUGH ITS IS A BIT CHEESY I FOUND IT THOROUGHLY ENTERTAINING.THE GROOVY 70S MUSIC AND CHESSY ACTING AMUSED ME.ALSO THERE ARE SPECIFIC SCENES THAT STILL FREAK ME OUT A LITLLE: THE WOLFFACE AT THE INTRO AND THE SCENE WHERE THE RICH HUNTER(CALVIN LOCKHART) IS TRACKING DOWN HIS QUARRY AND THE WEREWOLF JUMPS THROUGH THE SUNROOF AND KILLS HIS ASSISTANT. AS ENTERTAINMENT GOES THE HIGHLIGHTS WERE THE FAMOUS "WEREWOLF BREAK" AND THE HUNTER TOM NEWCLIFFE SHOOTING AWAY AT WHAT LOOKED TO BE A POOR HARMLEES ALSATION FROM DINKY CHOPPER. FOR EASY SIMPLE ENTERTAINMENT I WOULD RATE THIS FILM HIGHLY PROVIDING ITS NOT TO PRICY.

A laugher from start to finish
If you are looking for a movie to catagorize the poor films of the 70s, here it is. A rediculous plot and poor acting go right with hilarious special affects, including the dog falling through the sun roof and the dude being electracuted by a chain-link fence. It was worth it for me, because me and my friends needed to rent 1 more movie to get a discount, and the comical title and our lack of time forced us to hurridly pick this turkey. Plus it was fun to rip on everything in a MST3K-style manor with my buddies that night, but certainly dont spend 25 bucks on this disasterpiece.

Forgotten gem!
I first discovered this movie about 15 years ago when it ran on a rainy Saturday afternoon throwaway slot. This isn't a great movie, but it's a great potboiler, where even if you know how it's going to end, you like watching the characters unravel throughout the story. Camp at its best.

You don't see movies like this anymore, probably because they don't use self-conscious ironic detachment. The (over)acting must be good enough that the players actually inhabit their roles. Play it straight and it's unwatchable. The effects aren't so special, so it's just as well that the action is implicit rather than graphic.

Everything about the film is dated--there's no mistaking the costumes or the music for any era other than the mid 70's. For that matter, the voiceover, the ticking clock and the freeze-frame shots of the characters probably looked dated even when the movie was new. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. Later the horror film evolved into the mindless slasher film in the late-70's-early 80's, where the killer was only a setpiece, and then into the 90's, where the ironic, self-aware Scream type picture cannibalized the former genre. So hungry were moviegoers for subtle, sincere horror that they drooled over Blair Witch. It was a valiant effort, the spookfest had all been done better, when films relied on pacing, acting and camera angle to scare the audience instead of gore.

It's surprising enough that this film merited a DVD release at all and I was so thankful to find it that I didn't even care about the lack of outtakes and extra comments. The next rainy Saturday afternoon I'm watching this again. ... Read more

Amazon.com

An old schoolmate of Dr. Watson's, Percy Phelps (David Gwillim), hasasked the long-time friend of Sherlock Holmes to intercede on his behalf with the famous detective. Phelps, a member of the Foreign Office, has stolen a copy of a naval treaty with serious international consequences, but the document has been missing for two months.His nerves shattered from worry, Phelps is under the care of his fiancée (Alison Skilbeck), but so far the treaty has not surfaced. Holmes (Jeremy Brett), aided by Watson (David Burke), agrees to take the case, which is handsomely adapted in this episode from the Granada Television series. As usual, Brett is the most fascinating, most complex, and truest of the many Holmes portrayals in film and TV history, Burke is solid as the good doctor, and Rosalie Williams is delightful in her fleeting appearance as the Baker Street housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good
"The Naval Treaty" along with "The Crooked Man" are my least favorite episodes in "The Adventures of SH" series. I give it four stars though because it was well done. I probably just don't like it as much as the others because "The Naval Treaty" was never one of my favorite short stories. But it is definitely worth seeing, if for no other reason, then just for Jeremy Brett's definitive performance as Sherlock Holmes.

Brett in Fine Form
Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes is brilliant most notably because of his seemingly effortless success in giving depth to a difficult character such as Holmes. In this installment, (as well as well as "The Dancing Men,") we see more of Holmes' difficult side: he barely hides the fact that he does not like his client! Percy Phelps' weak constitution clearly grates on Holmes, but as Phelps is an old school chum of Watson's, he decides to help him anyway. The scene where Holmes leaves Phelps and his strong-willed fiancee up in the air as to whether or not he will help them, shows just how acerbic Holmes could be; even Watson is stunned by Holmes' lack of tact. The acting is up to the stars' usual fine standards, but the supporting players, most notably Phelps, leave a bit to be desired. Phelps' character hams it up a bit much in his breakdown scenes, and he comes off a wimp and not deserving of our sympathies. The character of his fiancee is so tight and stuffy, one fails to see what even a milquetoast like Phelps is doing with her. The production values are quite good, and on the whole, this episode is recommended, most notably for Brett's intricate performance as Holmes.

One of the truest adaptations of the Doyle stories
Jeremy Brett richly deserved an acting award (which he sadly never received) for his faithful portrayal of Sherlock Holmes as Doyle actually wrote him. THE NAVAL TREATY shows a bit of the Great Detective's softer side-and his somewhat bizarre sense of humor. In this episode, Holmes appears to take leave of his senses and starts spouting philosophy about the cosmic significance of a moss-rose right in the middle of a case. Of course, he has his reasons... When Percy Phelps receives his treaty he dances about the room shrieking with joy. These episodes are both from the original story and are faithfully reenacted as a direct result of the actor's insistence on remaining true to Arthur Conan Doyle. Bravo, Mr. Brett. One other fascinating aspect of THE NAVAL TREATY is the portrayal of the class system of the time: note how casually the police burst into a poor woman's home and take her away from six or seven hungry children with no assumption that she might in fact be innocent. I found this one of the most important points made in the program. It really is a story of the social inequities of the time. It's also fun to see how the villain badly underestimates Holmes' abilities and lives to pay for it. My one complaint about this episode: The slow motion camera is an anachronism and seems out of period, smacking as it does of modern action pictures. But that's a small complaint. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Granada Television's outstanding, long-running series based on the Sherlock Holmes stories and novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle celebrates some of its brightest moments in this enjoyable video. The late Jeremy Brett, as his fans know, was indeed the definitive Holmes, and numerous clips on this tape from the first few seasons of the show (arguably the best years of the series) bear this out. Included are highlights from A Scandal in Bohemia, The Solitary Cyclist, The Crooked Man, The Speckled Band, and The Dancing Men. The original actor portraying Dr. Watson, David Burke, is on prominent display, as is Burke's replacement, Edward Hardwicke. Both men do Watson justice and mesh perfectly with Brett's brilliance. For anyone trying to decide whether to watch some or all of Granada's Sherlock Holmes programs, this is a good way to get a feel for it. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Best of? Not quite...
Don't be thrown by the title. This is essentially a clip video developed by MPI Home video to advertise all the titles in the Granada Sherlock Holmes series. Nothing new or interesting here that isn't on the individual tapes of each episode. Sorry folks, but that's all it is! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One of the best movies.
I taped this movie from the Disney Channel a long time ago, it's about a father and his son at first the father was too busy for his son, then he learns to spend more time with him. It's also about this old lady and her granddaughter, the boy and the girl became friends but the boy's father wants to destroy the lady and her granddaughter's house and where they live. It's a great movie! You should see it; it's really a neat movie to watch. It's about friendship and love. I really enjoy this movie and you will too.

YOU DON"T OWN ME!
I AM FREE BLEARCH!!!! WATCH AS I ROCK THIS TAPE INSIDE OUT FOR OVER 84 CONSECUTIVE HOURS!!!! TREMBLE AS I DO AGAIN AND AGAIN, BABY!!!!! IN FACT I OWN YOU MAMA!!! WOOOCHA!!!!!!!!! ... Read more