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The first episode of the third season finds the irascible antique hunter and scam artist Lovejoy (Ian McShane) returning home six months after the windfall from his biggest commission ever. The money's gone, spent on ill-advised schemes, high living, and a flat for his daughter, but like a cat he lands on his feet, even inheriting a friend's country villa for an open-ended housesitting gig. Quickly putting his loyal team back together and reconnecting with gal pal Lady Jane Felsham (Phyllis Logan), he finds himself pulled into a dangerous plot involving a possibly invaluable ancient Incan gold ring, a desperate South American government official, Jane's alluring aristocratic friend Victoria (guest star Joanna Lumley), and a kidnapping in Lovejoy's own backyard. Lovejoy is not quite the cad his reputation suggests in this episode, but his skills as a con man come to the fore in a ploy to save both the girl and the gold. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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Another wonderful Lovable Lovejoy
In the opening episode of the third season, Divy Lovejoy find in all sorts of complications. When we last saw him, he had left everyone square money-wise, and was off for a much needed vacation. Now he is broke. All the money gone for various reasons and he is house-sitting for a sleaze Freddie the Phone.
He quickly gathers Lady Jane, Tink and Eric back and is ready for action.

Only Lady Jane has company, a old school chum, Victoria (Joanna Lumley). She is a widow of a South American political. Jane get him involved in brokering a deal for an ancient Inca gold ring for Victoria. For safe keeping, Eric convinces Lovejoy to use a new safe that works on eye identification instead of combination. Lovejoy sets up the deal, but find out there are some very nasty people after Victoria. This becomes apparent when Lady Jane is accidentally kidnapped instead of Victoria.

Lovejoy cannot get the safe to open, to get the ring as ransom for Lady Jane, so they pop over to Eaton to get the top safe cracker out of school. It's up to Lovejoy, knight-errant, to safe both damsels in distress.

First of four episodes to feature a romance between Lovejoy and Victoria.

Great fun. Just wish BBC would get off their duff and release lovejoy on DVD! ... Read more

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Something Went Right
Rodney Dangerfield played host to seven comedians, filmed live at Dangerfield's nightclub in New York City. Lenny Clarke, who co-starred with Dennis Leary in the TV series The Job, goes over well with the crowd. The notorious Andrew Dice Clay has never been funnier, especially when he does his off-color nursery rhymes. Dom Irrera, who played a prop comedian in an episode of Seinfeld, teaches Italians the finer points of being Italian. Rodney always had an eye for comedic talent, and all of the stand-up comedians in this video range from very funny to absolutely hilarious.

The best Stand-up I've ever seen!
This is the best collection of stand-up comedians I've ever seen. It is just a great video, and it's a shame that you can't find it anymore. It is really one of a kind. ... Read more

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Did Sherlock Holmes survive his apparent demise at the hands of Professor Moriarty in The Final Problem? Clearly so, as his resurrection three years later in this story is a dramatic and happy event--though it causes his old friend Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) to faint at the sight of him.Jeremy Brett is outstanding as the famed sleuth, whose return from what Sherlockians call the Great Hiatus is challenged by one of Moriarty's most murderous lieutenants (Patrick Allen), already a killer on the run in London. The action is swift and exciting, and the colorful reentrance of Holmes into the life of Dr. Watson is a highly memorable event. With Rosalie Williams in a more extensive part than usual as the wonderful Mrs.Hudson, Holmes's Baker Street landlady. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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We are so glad to have you back, Mr. Holmes
While it is wonderful to have Sherlock Holmes back among the living, the real star in this video is the introduction of Edward Hardwicke as Watson. He is so comfortable and bemused as the teller of Holmes adventures that you believe him to be Watson. The screenplay is a bit uneven at points. It's almost as if the short story was unnaturally stretched to fill the time slot. But despite all that, Jeremy Brett is in top form as he keeps Holmes barely one step ahead of Moriarty's thugs and the infamous air guns.

Sherlock Holmes is back!!
When Conan Doyle wrote the "Final Problem" it was supposed to be his last chronicle as he was tired of the character. But through public pressure he brought back the first Consulting Detective. In this adventure we find out that Sherlock Holmes didn't die with his "evil counterpart" but had to stay in hiding in order to evade Dr Moraity's accomplices. When the story starts, years has gone bye since the "death" of Mr Holmes and a crime gets the attention of Holmes old cohort, Dr Watson. A murderer is afoot, and nobody knows who he is and why he kills. You can guess who comes a calling. The scene where Sherlock reveals himself alive to Dr Watson is right out of the book and brought off in great fation. This is an exellent sequel to the "Final Problem" where Sherlock Holmes retakes his place in London as it's most famous Detective and ties off any loose leed left in the earlier story. As per usual Granada Television rendition of this story is visually astonishing in the period details and scenes and Mr Brett depiction of Holmes is right out of the book. If you saw "Final Problem" this a must see. If you haven't, get both

We love it
With Sherlock Holmes dead at the Reichenbach Falls, Watson returns to his daily life. But, three years later, when Holmes suddenly appears in his examining room Watson receives the shock of his life. But, it's not time for happy reunions; Holmes is on the track of a major villain, and he is in need of his able assistant. Once again, the game is afoot!

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Empty House, was episode one of the third season, and originally aired on July 9, 1986. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!

Excellent DVD
These two stories may not be as involved as some contemporary mysteries involving modern forensics, but Holmes' use of rational deduction and the forensics of his time (late 19th Century) is grand. If you are a true mystery fan, this is the place to begin--and return to again. Conan Doyle was a superb story teller.

The first story involves Holmes reappearance following his reported death at the hand of his arch enemy. Conan Doyle "killed" his dectective because he was tired of writing Holmes serials for the newspaper, but Holmes fans were so outraged and heartbroken the author was forced to resurrect him.

This volume marks Holmes "return" following the notorious "fall" in the Alps only to find himself pursued by a crony of his dead arch enemy (Professor Moriarity). The second tale involves the death of the owner of the Abbey Grange--who did it? Was it his Australian wife, her nanny, or the three villans the wife says hit her and tied her to a chair. Holmes is back in fine form and the "game's afoot" he tells Watson. The film includes the live depiction of illustrations from the Sherlock Holmes books we read as kids.

The DVD version of these two Sherlock Holmes tales is excellent. I love the reenactment of past times where every detail is faithfully depicted down to the steam from the locomotive engines and being able to see the detail with clarity is a pleasure.

Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes
I am once again transfixed on my television and I have gleefully tossed out all my home tapes of the PBS series - they were horrible quality. What can I say...like a kid in a candy store..which episode do I watch next...were all life's problems so easy to deal with... I have most all of the old B&W ones in various 'collections' but...to me...there has been no Holmes like Mr. Brett. I would definitely recommend any and all of these episodes to EVERYONE!! A true 'must see'. Superb! I have them all up to date as far as I know but I am hoping for more releases. ... Read more

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This is the Lovejoy we've come to fear and love. This fourth season episode finds the quick-thinking rascal broke, despondent, and uncharacteristically bored with antiques, but he suddenly comes to life when he plots an old-fashioned auction scam. Whetting his appetite by conning a naive young antique dealer (for a little operating cash), he proceeds to gather a group of retired pros to run a variation of an auction ring, but when a snag threatens the plan he pulls Lady Jane into the "only slightly illegal" scheme as an unwittingly accomplice. Lovejoy has always been at his best with his back against the wall and Ian McShane rises to the occasion with one of his most spirited performances. With a twinkle in his eye and barely suppressed grin on his face, McShane lets his audience know that the antique game is more fun when Lovejoy bends the rules. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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McShane is a charming rogue
McShane took Jonathan Gash's books are made Lovejoy his own, a kinder, gentler character as it were. The Ring is one of the best episode of the series.

This picks up after Lovejoy is released from Jail (a set up) but he served time anyway with a roomie - a biker named Mavis. Lady Jane, Tink and Eric are concerned because Lovejoy seems rather depressed and not accepting help from them. He goes to an auction and find a series of watercolour in the cottage style. He decides if he can get one sold at a high price he can sell all 22 paintings so he resorts to his old shifty ways to bump the bidding. He goes to his old Ring - partners that conspire to drive up the price. Only one duffer takes a powder at the last instant leaving Lovejoy in the lurch. So he recruits Lady Jane without her knowing. And she is not a happy camper when she discovers how he used her.

It brightly written, with the devilish twinkle in McShane's eye...absolute gems for his fans. ... Read more

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Young women in strict Muslim households used to send their pledges of love to young men through messages woven through the knots of a carpet in an Arab tradition that continues to this day, explains a dryly intoning narrator. "What, you may ask, has this to do with Lovejoy?" Plenty, as it turns out, when he agrees to sell an Anatolian carpet for Lady Jane and winds up sniffing out a plot when the bidding war over a seemingly ordinary Berber rug is followed by that carpet's theft. Lovejoy shows that for a rascal he too has a heart. While he seems to lose money every time he turns around in this episode, he becomes Cupid to one young lover, a guardian angel to a high-spirited eccentric with a house full of antique treasures, and an uncharacteristically sensitive friend to Lady Jane when her rocky marriage is suddenly put on the line. Not bad for Britain's most notorious, trouble-prone antique hunter. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

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another Lovejoy treasure!
It's musical chairs with rugs for Lovejoy, Tink and Eric.

It starts with Lady Jane buying an expensive Anatolian carpet she really loved her bedroom. Her husband blows his stack, but we soon see the is only the "excuse" for the real problems in their marriage. Rug #1

Rug number #2 comes into play when an elderly lady buys a carpet for her dog, unaware that particular carpet held a special meaning for a lovesick lad. When it is stolen, Lovejoy, Tink and Eric have to suss out why an ordinary Berber carpet is causing such a flack.

Lovejoy must solve the riddle, sell Lady Jane's carpet and find a replacement for everyone. So, not only is Lovejoy a divee, an antique dealer like none other, but he is forced into being Sherlock Holmes, Dear Abby, Cupid and a Guardian Angel to a dear old lady and her dog. A man of many hats!

Charmingly directed, acted and written. JUST PLEASE PUT THEM ON DVD!!

Lovejoy is a Joy!
Lovejoy mysteries deal strictly with the world of antiques. There is plenty of British humor here as well as adventure and mystery. This episode is typical of Lovejoy finding his way into things to make a lot of cash only to blow it to satisfy curiosity and to help a friend in need (Lady Jane). This episode sees the end of Lady Jane's marriage which is unfortunate but not unexpected. ... Read more

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"We have not yet met our Waterloo, Watson, but this is our Marengo, for it begins in defeat and ends in victory," says Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett), in the midst of a bloody mystery with significant moral and ethical implications. Holmes and Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are summoned to the Abbey Grange, where Sir Eustace Brackenstall has been brutally murdered, apparently by a local gang of thieves. But the case proves much more complex, and ends with one of Holmes's rare but decisive and personal interpretations of justice. An early episode in the new onscreen association of Brett and Hardwicke (who ably replaced the departed David Burke), the two actors seem as perfectly meshed as their allied characters.This fine production is as enjoyable for the casual viewer as it is for the most dedicated Sherlockian. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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We love it
When Sherlock Holmes is summoned to investigate the murder of Sir Eustace Brackenstall, it appears to be an open-and-shut case of simple housebreaking gone wrong. However, when Holmes begins to look at all of the clues, his view of the case is turned upside down. He finds a cut bell-rope and a burnt dog-collar. The lady of the house is hiding something, but what?

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Abbey Grange, was episode two of the third season, and originally aired on July 16, 1986. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!

ONE OF THE VERY BEST EPISODES OF THIS FINE SERIES.
Outstanding performances from all, terrific script and direction, and a wonderful opportunity to watch Sherlock Holmes deduce the mystery make THE ABBEY GRANGE one of my personal favorites in the series. We see many facets of Holmes' personality here, from the cold calculating machine to the warm and sympathetic friend. Jeremy Brett gives one of his best performances as Holmes and the other castmembers are also outstanding. It's a treat to see the shipping clerk who is also a fan of Doctor Watson's stories helping out with a clue, and even his shy wife is memorable. Watch for the 'trick shot' where you see what Holmes sees and Watson does not observe. Edward Hardwicke is a worthy successor to David Burke as Dr. Watson (I actually prefer his performances since it's obvious that he and Brett had great chemistry working together.) And speaking of chemistry, it's a real treat to see Holmes/Brett's reaction to a particularly grateful client who takes him by surprise. This is a wonderful show. If you want to introduce someone to Brett as Holmes, show them this episode. I did--I loaned this to my parents, old Rathbone fans, and they were instantly also fans of Jeremy Brett. ... Read more

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One of the most interesting stories in the Sherlock Holmes canon, The Devil's Foot finds the Great Detective's friend and ally, Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke), pressuring the exhausted sleuth (Jeremy Brett) into joining him on a vacation on the Cornish coast. Instead of relaxation, however, Holmes and Watson encounter one of the most horrifying multiple murders they have yet come across. Though our heroes nearly die from Holmes's effort to prove the cause of death, they carry on until Holmes finally unmasks the identity of the culprits--and then makes a controversial decision about the fate of one. Brett and Hardwicke excel as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous team, who are under more duress than usual in this fascinating tale. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

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Beautiful and Dark
I havn't seen all the episodes in this series yet, but so far this is one of my favourites. This is because Jeremy Brett is absolutely PERFECT as Sherlock Holmes ( In all the episodes, not just this one.) This episode reveals his darker, more melancholy side ( one of the things I love so much about Holmes.) He goes for long walks along the beach alone,lost in his own little world.
We also see him shooting up and guiltily trying to hide the evidence when disturbed by Watson, who always shows concerned dissaproval at this habit. However, he cannot keep his secret for long because soon afterwards he starts acting a bit weird-to the surprise of the local vicar who has come to visit.
He is supposed to be on a recouperative holiday but this is soon interrupted by the news that one local person has died and two more have inexplicably gone insane.
This is another reason why I love this episode. It has a strong hint of Victorain gothic horror in it from the scene where the two victims are being driven away to a mental asylum to the scene where Holmes experiments with the drug and has dark, nightmarish hallucinations.
Holmes is his usual, sexy self, with his odd little expressions and always dressed in his smart, trademark black which he never seems to mind getting dirty when he does his usual crawling about on the ground.

Slow moving
I love the Jeremy Brett/Sherlock Holmes, but this isn't that good. Jeremy Brett gives an outstanding performance but it is so slow. This is one of my least favorites. It does have a couple of sceens that are alright. I like the beginning where it shows the drug, The Devil's Foot. This is not that great though I like the performances in the film!

Excellent episode, excellent acting
This episode of The Return of Sherlock Holmes is one of Jeremy Brett's very best performances. With the very capable Edward Hardwicke as Watson and a fascinating screenplay, The Devil's Foot is riveting. It doesn't hurt that it is filmed in beautiful surroundings, either.

This episode sees Holmes leaving London for a period of extended convalescing at the seaside in Cornwall. Naturally, Watson accompanies him, but a terrible set of murders will soon upset the calm.

Some good does come out of the journey; for example, Holmes is shown burying a syringe on the beach, an apparent triumph over his habit of injecting cocaine. The strongest scene shows Holmes willfully ingesting a poisonous hallucinogen in order to test a theory. The psychedlic scenes that result have been criticized by some as overly graphic -- and they are a bit of a departure from the norm for this series -- but this is a very brief interlude that is quickly concluded.

Brett's acting is brilliant throughout -- after all, he's supposed to be recovering, and so he needs to show a wide range of emotions, from depression to frustration and finally elation. Hardwicke gets additional screen time since Holmes is supposed to be resting under doctor's orders at a secluded cottage. The mystery itself is convoluted and will keep you guessing. If you've never seen Jeremy Brett as Holmes before, this is as good a place as any to see the breadth of performance that he was capable of. This is also one of the earlier episodes -- filmed well before both the production values and Brett's health began to decline noticeably. It's well worth a look.

John!
As usual, Jeremy Brett and Edwarde Hardwicke have portrayed the dynamic duo superlatively. Notable events in this show: Holmes kicks his cocaine habit, and is having a breakdown in the beginning. (Don't worry, he gets better.) The best scene is the one where Watson pulls Holmes out of the house after trying the experiment with the Devil's Foot. When Holmes comes to he is hollering and forgets himself for a moment. "John!!!" he screams, and clings to him like a frightened child. Priceless!

This show is not for everyone. Younger children will most likely be frightened by the view of the crazy/dead victims and by the dream sequence. (I watched it when I was 10, and couldn't sleep for days.) Please keep this in mind before showing it to the young ones.

Though rather macabre, this is a wonderful episode.

Perhaps Jeremy Brett's most compelling Sherlock performance
A must have for the die-hard fan. In this truly captivating episode, Sherlock reveals a sincere appreciation and respect for his loyal colleague, Dr. Watson. And, in one particularly captivating scene, Holmes reveals an endearing statement of his appreciation for his friend, with a single, unforgettable word. All told, this episode signifies why Jeremy Brett is the superlative portrayer of this legendary character. ... Read more

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Yup, that is Counselor Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation, looking particularly glum in this episode from Granada Television's Sherlock Holmes series. Troi--or rather actress Marina Sirtis--is part of the cast of this wild mystery, which suggests that a madman with a grudge against Napoleon Bonaparte is smashing clay busts of his likeness all over London. Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) proposes that the criminal has a psychological obsession, but Holmes (Jeremy Brett) scoffs at that idea. There is indeed much more going on than meets the eye in this story, as plainly evidenced when a notorious Mafia figure turns up dead.Meanwhile, anyone in possession of ornamental Bonapartes is in danger--and only Holmes knows why. This exciting installment in the series is also noteworthy for its rare glimpse of a softer side of Holmes, as seen in a memorable coda to the story. Brett is brilliant as the famed sleuth.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (9)

the ULTIMATE Holmes
Okay...the only thing I can say is that Jeremy Brett is absolutely The One and Only Sherlock Holmes; no one else comes close to the mastery with which he plays this role.

This particular episode completely blew me away-- I agree that "Watson, this is no time for humbugs!" and the "This is clearly the work of red anarchists" are two of the many hilarious lines.

In addition to the humour, however, this episode's crowning glory is the much praised Last Scene, in which Jeremy Brett totally melts your heart with his Look. This scene makes it completely clear that Brett understands the character of Holmes perfectly! He brings an added depth of unexpected emotion to the role, which is wonderful. We don't usually get to see Holmes in a state of extreme emotion, making the end of this eisode even more of a pleasant surprise.

WOW! I'd watch this over and over, and so should you!

An hour of television perfection !
Although many of the episodes in the series are fantastic, this one is, by far, my very favorite.

I have a number of episodes on VHS and I always look forward to this one above all others. Let me tell you why.....

But first, a synopsis:

Lesrade brings to Holmes' and Watson's attention, a case he is working on because he knows of Holmes' appreciation of any case that is strange or unusual ... Another true Sherlock Holmes trait: We may see something, but we do not observe it.

Though probably the most wonderful moment is at the very end, when Lestrade congratulates Holmes. We see a rare level of seriousness in Lestrade and an even rarer level of emotion from Holmes, who also reveals a mutual respect for the Scotland Yard Inspector.

I feel that this episode truly encapsulates Holmes' style of investigation, as well as the personalities of the main characters.
Of course, the actors and actresses are completely believable in their respective roles, the sets are marvellous and the score could not be better. If anyone is a fan of a fantastic mystery that one can really get one's teeth into, then I could recommend nothing better than The Six Napoleons.

It is a true classic among classics!!!

Grazie, Granada!
Wow! Granada gets an A+ for this one! It is a wonderful mystery, and it is funny, though the humor doens't stick out; it just flows. The last scene is the best Sherlock scene of all time. The way Brett unveils the pearl (especially the tablecloth. Nice touch!), and explains the solution in typical Sherlock-dramatic style is fascinating. The scene where Lestrade praises Holmes is just awesome. (For those who haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil the end; be prepared for a Look that could melt hearts of stone.) As someone said below, Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. He can act circles around Basil Rathbone anyday. Also, Watson is excellent. Hardwicke is the perfect supporting role. He is not a bumbling bafoon either. What a relief! For those of you who are fans of the Granada series, or have never seen any before, this is one of, if not the best. If I could give it 10 stars, I would do so in a heartbeat. Arrivederci!

A Rare Glimpse
The Six Napoleons is one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's more entertaining tales. It's also one of the more popular tales in the Canon, topped only by The Hound of the Baskervilles. Here is a faithful and high-class adaptation of the story of a murderer on the loose in Victorian London, smashing busts of Napoleon with no apparent motive. The question is as always: Can Holmes solve the mystery and prevent another crime?

Quite frankly, I don't watch the Granada presentations of Doyle's stories for the story itself, though they are excellently told. I watch it mainly for the performance of Mr. Jeremy Brett, the man himself. The Six Napoleons showcases one of his more exhuberant performances as the Master. Brett has completely immersed himself into the character of Sherlock Holmes so deeply that it's impossible to tell where Holmes ends and Brett begins. Not to be left out, Watson, Lestrade & Co. provide a solid supporting cast, but it's Brett who we come to watch.

One scene which marks this episode and sets it apart from the rest in the series is the final scene which takes place in Holmes and Watson's sitting room. It provides the viewer a rare and personal glimpse into the man who is Sherlock Holmes. Those few captivating minutes are a fitting and memorable end to yet another wonderful hour with Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

A Pearl of Death
Fairly good video version of one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories, with a particularly nice ending showing Holmes and Lestrade in a rare moment of rapport. The story, which features a very dramatic device that keeps the plot moving with some urgency, was imaginatively adapted into one of the best Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone, "The Pearl of Death." ... Read more

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Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are drawn into the investigation of the murder of Garcia (Arturo Venegas), for which Scott Eccles (Donald Churchill), a guest of Garcia's at Wisteria Lodge, has been arrested--possibly mistakenly. An extreme rarity in the Holmes canon, a policeman of real competence named Inspector Baynes (Freddie Jones), is also on the case, making this tale all the more interesting for Holmes fans interested in comparing and contrasting investigative styles. Brett and Hardwicke, as always, are exceptionally good as the Great Detective and his famous ally.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

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Dark, Violent, Brilliant!
Granda Television's adaption of Wisteria Lodge is a dark, violent story. It is also one of the most beautifully acted and filmed of the Jeremy Brett productions. Every reviewer before me has said it before: Jeremy Brett is the most fascinating and complete protrayal of Sherlock Holmes that our world as seen. As much as I loved watching Basil Rathbone, he really only scratched the surface of the most famous detective in the world. I guess it depends on who you grew up with. Many older viewers may still prefer Rathbone just because he was the first they saw in the role.

In Wisteria Lodge, we get a multi-faceted Holmes from Brett. His obvious affection for Watson shines through. Also, one needs to mention the wonderful acting of Hardwicke, Donald Churchill, and especially Freddie Jones. As Inspector Baynes, Jones literally leaps off the screen with his vibrant personality. His brief time on screen is perfect proof that a truly great actor makes the most of what time he is given.

This is a beautiful film, lush and exciting. The last minute of the program will leave you breathless. There is little television, past or present, that has been produced with such loving care. You can tell that everyone involved loved the material before they even started! I hope that viewers will enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Arty
This is a marvelous and arty look (check out some of these shots) at a rather obscure Holmes mystery, done when Jeremy Brett was in his prime and the filmmakers hadn't yet gotten overwrought and pretentious. Very fine. ... Read more

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Arguably the most entertaining and satisfying episode from the entire Granada Television series about Sherlock Holmes, The Second Stain finds Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth facing intertwining problems, each with very different consequences. On the one hand, a saber-rattling letter to the British government from a "foreign potentate" has disappeared from the hands of the Rt. Honorable Trelawney Hope (Stuart Wilson), which could incite a major war if it turns up in some visible way. On the other hand, Hope's wife, Lady Hilda (Patricia Hodge), appears to know something about the letter's disposition, but she won't say on pain of some undefined disaster to her marriage. Holmes (Jeremy Brett in his finest hour) and Dr. Watson (a wonderful performance by Edward Hardwicke) can't unravel one mystery without tackling the other, and then there is a murder to boot. The results are well worth the story complications that ensue. The look of epiphany on Brett's face when the ever-clueless Inspector Lestrade (Colin Jeavons) tells Holmes about an odd detail in the murder victim's home--the placement of a certain bloodstained rug doesn't correspond to the location of the soaked-through stain on the floor below--is enormous fun. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

We love it
When Sherlock Holmes is approached by the Prime Minister himself, it looks to be the start of the greatest case of his life. A very important letter is missing from the Secretary for European Affair's dispatch box, and it is not too much to say that its publication would propel Britain into a major war. Only three men in England would handle such a document, and when one of them suddenly turns up dead, Holmes casts his eyes in that direction. And though the dead man does not have the letter, there is a mystery connected with his death - where he died there was blood on the carpet but not on the floor beneath, but looking elsewhere there is a second stain. There are mysteries within mysteries here, mysteries that only Sherlock Holmes can solve!

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Second Stain, was episode four of the third season, and originally aired on July 30, 1986. As an added bonus, a main character is played by Patricia Hodge, who also played Phyllida "Portia" Erskine-Brown in the Rumpole series. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!

A mixed bag
I would have a hard time saying that this is one of the best in the series. There is very little suspense, Watson's role is smaller than usual, and I'm not sure the story holds up.

Still, this episode does have several features to recommend it. First, the comical Inspector Lestrade is at his best. Second, Brett's facial expressions are masterful. In fact, this may be his best performance. Third, the story is both deadly serious (consider that Conan Doyle wrote this 15 years before WWI) and hilarious, with Holmes' sexism and carelessness with matches providing good laughs.

In my opinion, The Hound is still the best in the series, but you really can't go wrong with any of them.

Pen Ultimate Holmes
One of the top entries in this series, and Brett continues to imbue his already flawless Holmes with still more interesting facets. A stolen letter, from a foreign hot-head, disappears from a government officials's dispatch box. Both the hapless official AND the Prime Minister (Harry Andrews in an impeccable performance) are terrified: it means war should the contents become public. Holmes realizes that too much time has elapsed for the letter to remain secret, so "prepare for war," he advises. A following visit from the official's furtive wife intrigues Holmes and Watson further, but they will not compromise the British government for the sake of a woman's wiles -- and still the contents don't surface and so there just might be a chance. A well timed murder becomes the catalyst, and so -- the adventure begins. Grenada has never been in finer form than with this terrific Victorian mystery. The cast plays with seasoned perfection (Colin Jeavons joins in again expertly as the waste-of-time Inspector Lestrade) and the results are wonderful! Edward Hardwicke remains as comfortable as a favorite slipper in playing Watson, and Brett's iconoclastic detective is just a joy to watch (his dismissive -- and dangerous -- match-tossing, scrambling and snorting on the Lucas parlor floor, etc.)! Listen to Patrick Gowers beautiful musical motif for Lord Bellinger and just enjoy this excellent and all too brief visit back in time to the Victorian wonderland of Sherlock Holmes.

One of the best episodes of entire run.
Perhaps the strongest cast assembled for a single episode. An enthralling story with particular cogent performances delivered by Jeremy Brett,Colin Jeavons,Sean Scanlan and Patricia Hodge. ... Read more

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle caught a fair amount of flak for getting a lot of details wrong in this story about the training and racing of horses.Nevertheless, it is one of his most popular yarns and makes a fine basis for this vigorous 1988 episode from the Granada Television series about Sherlock Holmes. The Great Detective (Jeremy Brett) and his chronicler and ally Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) hurry to Devonshire, following the murder of a trainer and the disappearance of Silver Blaze, a swift horse heavily favored to win the big-money Wessex Cup. Holmes takes some snarly barbs from Blaze's rich owner in stride--though he has his revenge on the arrogant fellow later. The mystery is a keen one and the solution is among Doyle's most inventive. Brett and Hardwicke are at their best as the dynamic duo. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Nice Friendship/Partnership Story
I would give this story 4 1/2 stars if I could because while this is not the best of the Granada series, it certainly isn't the worst. I like "Silver Blaze" because it is a good story (even if Doyle got some of the horse racing details wrong), and it is nice to see Holmes and Watson working together. Watson (played by the supurb Edward Hardwicke) is not the useless cardboard cutout which is only there to fill space, he assists Holmes with studying the evidence, and later hunting for the horse upon the moor. The scene where they are cheering on Silver Blaze in the race is grand, and the expression on Holmes' face is priceless. He wants to cheer for Silver Blaze but can't quite break that reserved barrier. Jeremy Brett plays the eccentric detective beautifully although he does look tired in this story.

The beginning of the end
I am sorry to say that I cannot really recommend this video, and I wish they had filmed it before Jeremy Brett's illness started to affect his performance. For affect it it certainly does.

Still, there is the marvellous line about the dog in the night-time... ... Read more

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Lovejoy's independent-minded daughter Vicki (Amelia Shankley) finds an 18th-century Scottish commemorative sword in her attic and puts it up for auction, inadvertently bidding up her own dad. Lovejoy is about to chalk it up to experience when a Scot named Kinloch (Edward Hardwicke) offers him more than double the value, which only sets his opportunistic mind whirling with possibilities. After a series of robbery attempts Lovejoy decides to investigate Kinloch and witnesses a bizarre dinnertime ritual at his palatial estate. The episode rings with offbeat humor and irony as fate takes an even stronger hand than Lovejoy in the final revelations of the sword's secrets. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A gem of a Lovejoy episode
This episode finds Lovejoy at odds with his grown daughter. To make up for not being the best of absentee fathers while Victoria was growing up, Lovejoy creates a London showroom for his antiques and set daughter up in the showroom as helper and a place for her to live. Victoria wants a real job and to own her own apartment, which sets daughter and father on collision course.

Further complicating matters, Victoria discovers a very rare and unusual Scottish claymore, which she puts up on the sly at an auction and Lovejoy buys not knowing his daughter is the seller!

18th-century Scottish commemorative sword draws the interest of a Scot named Kinloch (Edward Hardwicke) who offers him more than double the value. Instead of taking the officer, Lovejoy -ever ready to turn a sale into an even better sale - sets about to suss out why someone would be offered 3 times the price for the Sword. This leads to Lovejoy being followed, a break-in of the London flat where Lovejoy has to climb on the roof to escape, and in turn leads Lovejoy to break into Kinloch's castle. It's Men in Kilts and Lovejoy out to find out wha' ha' ye!

Great fun - especially when Eric and Victoria trade clothes to fool the people spying on Lovejoy and Eric ends up with a Pink t-shirt saying "so many men...so little time". Sharply, directed, acted and written. Vintage Lovejoy where McShane shines!

Just PLEASE release all the Lovejoy's on DVD....NOW!! ... Read more

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One of the most ingenious of the Sherlock Holmes stories, The Man with the Twisted Lip presents the famous detective with one of his strangest cases. A gentleman named Neville St. Clair (Clive Francis) is missing, after having been briefly seen (looking quite agitated) by his wife (Eleanor David) in an upstairs window of a disreputable pub. Upon investigating, Mrs. St. Clair can only find traces of blood in the location; later, her husband's coat, mysteriously stuffed with pennies, turns up on a mud bank. Police have detained a notorious street beggar on suspicion of foul play, but Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) believe there is more to the case than meets the eye. This highly enjoyable installment from the long-running Granada Television series is satisfying from beginning to end, with a witty conclusion and unexpected moral about class pressures. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Disappointment
Despite being based on one of Conan Doyle's better stories, this is one of the duds of the Granada series: poorly photographed and staged, and lacking the story's crisp drama. The solution of the mystery is particularly limp.

See two handsome actors make themselves thoroughly hideous!
This story always seemed to me to be the most preposterous of tales. A rich man masquerading as a beggar?

Then I read of a medical student doing precisely the same thing in New York City in 1999. Bravo, Dr. Doyle. I might even start believing in fairies now...

Jeremy Brett has a ball in this episode. He gets to hang around an opium den in the character of a crazed loafer, and he and Edward Hardwicke bring some nice comic touches to the Holmes/Watson relationship. It is trying, sometimes, being woken at 2 a.m. by a roommate who is shaking your foot and insisting you have to go somewhere, NOW...

The supporting cast is excellent as usual and there is a great feel for the grubby, nasty alleyways of London's East End. This is Victorian England as it was, not as historical filmmakers would have it.

I can't understand why they changed the script slightly from the story; in the original, Mrs. St. Clair seems to have some rather personal designs on our hero. In this show, she's a tower of moral certitude. I suppose someone in the show had to be.

Listen for some of the fine banter between Holmes and Watson, especially during their carriage ride. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A junior clerk working for Britain's defense planning dashes off in the middle of a date with his fiancée, and turns up dead along some railroad tracks--apparently having been pushed from a train while carrying several secret documents related to England's development of a submarine warship. Was he a traitor? If so, who killed him? The case is brought to the attention of Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and his ally, Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke), by none other than Mycroft Holmes (Charles Gray), brother of the Great Detective and indispensable repository of government business. Sherlock's conclusions, however, prove there is more to the truth than meets the eye. Brett, as always, is the perfect Holmes while Hardwicke is the ideal Watson for the latter years of their crime-fighting career. A strong story with some of the sleuth's most impressive investigatory work, The Bruce-Partington Plans is a worthy part of the long-running Granada Television series, based on Arthur Conan Doyle's famous character. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Not a favorite
I love this series, but this one is definately not the best! The preformances, once again are superb but the plot and story goes so slow! It bored me! This is one of my least favorites. Most people that I know don't like the actor who plays Mycroft, but he's perfect for the role. The beginning was interresting, but from there it got boring.

A collection of superior performances.
I'd seen some episodes of Granada's Sherlock Holmes series years ago, on Mystery! or A&E, but had almost forgetten all about it when I came across a copy of The Bruce-Partington Plans in a local store. Watching it made me very keenly regret not having taped the series back when it was regularly aired.

Jeremy Brett, though aging and with a not-very-flattering haircut here, carries the show. There's a longstanding dispute over who is the better Holmes, Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett. Personally, my vote is entirely with Brett--his Holmes is brilliant and eccentric, and not always an entirely sympathetic character, just as the Holmes of the original stories was. He's moody, self-superior, and full of dramatic gestures sometimes at the expense of others, not much like Rathbone's much smoother and calmer portrayal, and though it makes him harder to like, it makes him worlds more interesting a character.

Charles Gray as Mycroft very nearly steals a few scenes from Brett. They play off each other with marvelously entertaining results, right from Mycroft's entrance into the episode ("Sherlock!" "MY-croft!").

Kudos go as well to Edward Hardwicke, who plays a solid and dependable Watson, frequently several steps behind Holmes but, for once, not portrayed as a total idiot to further glorify Holmes' intellect, as frequently happens in other portrayals.

The episode stays very close to the original story, with whole blocks of dialogue used nearly verbatim. The careful period detail makes everything that much more believable, and fascinating to look at if you have an interest in the Victorian period. I'm a big fan of Patrick Gowers' musical compositions, which are judiciously used throughout the series, as well.

Jeremy Brett is one of those people who I would cheerfully pay to hear read the phone book; he has a wonderfully dramatic voice, rising and falling from a gentle murmur to a commanding shout and through a whole range of moods and tones between. He really does capture Holmes' genius beautifully, and the Bruce-Partington Plans is a solid story in its own right, intellectually engaging and wholly believable.

Some favorite moments:

Holmes waxing passionate over Mycroft's unusual visit, and pretty much any interaction between the two of them.

Holmes' vaguely superior reaction to being mistaken for a mortician--so much conveyed just by looking aside and leaving Watson to clear up the mistake.

Harassing the longsuffering Mrs. Hudson while trying to spread out the city map--he's really awful, and it gets me giggling every time. In a similar vein, his sudden snort of mirth and abrupt, excessively cheerful departure, leaving Watson bemused in his wake.

Convincing Watson to come house-breaking ("We're BOUND to go.") and Watson reluctantly caving in--AGAIN.

And Watson being the one to pick up on a clue that Holmes nearly dismisses. He even has the grace not to gloat. :)

London Fog
The dreary London fog creates an excellent setting for this tale of espionage. Stolen submarine plans along with a dead body are just what the doctor ordered for this "somber stage". Another successful re-enactment of a Doyle classic. Does anyone know of a bad one? I surely don't.

One word....Mycroft
This is one of the best of the Granada series. It has a fascinating chain of events that will keep you scratching your head, even though it's all very obvious to Holmes. But the best part of the story is meeting Mycroft, or as Watson calls him, "Jupiter himself." While Holmes is rarely impressed with anyone, he is obviously in awe of his older sibling. The dynamic between them and their exchanges of dialogue are the highlight of the video.

It all hinges on a fascinating detail....
A great mystery, involving trains and the agony column of the newspaper. Another fine performance from Brett in his prime. One of my favorites of this series. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the most interesting stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes canon makes for a particularly taut and exciting episode in the Granada Television series about the famous detective. Holmes (the outstanding Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are summoned by the desperate founder of an exclusive prep school for boys to locate the missing son of a duke. The investigation uncovers a nefarious plot, and the major clue (a controversial one at the time Doyle wrote the story) involves nothing more than the direction of bicycle tracks. The suspense never lets up in this excellent program, and Brett and Hardwicke are at their best.--Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

We love it
When Sherlock Holmes finds a distraught school-master barging into his room, it's the start of his involvement in the disappearance of the son of the famed Duke of Holdernesse's son. But, the Duke's aversion to any publicity necessitates that Holmes keep a low profile. What are the Duke's real concerns, and what has happened to the German master who disappeared the same night? There's a deep mystery here, and only Sherlock Holmes can get to the bottom of it!

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Priory School, was episode six of the third season, and originally aired on August 13, 1986. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!

Favorite
Excellent plot, acting and setting. The characters are well defined and acted - even the uncouth innkeeper is memorable. The school's setting, the lonely moors, the Duke's splendid home - all combine to create great atmosphere. It is well photographed and the plot is convoluted enough to hold the attention and keep the mind busy to the end. Jeremy Brett and Edwarde Hardwicke at their best.

An excellent version
I'm 25 and have enjoyed this series and the stories since I was about 10. While this dramatization isn't totally faithful to the original by Conan Doyle, I'm still not sure if I enjoy the episode or the story better! Nevertheless it is one of my favorite in the TV series and I recommend it to any Holmes fan or even those who like a good mystery. An excellent hour to spend.

A fine show, but they changed the story.
This beautifully photographed and acted episode has atmosphere to spare, but I wish they had left in the original ending where Holmes grossly overcharges his client after the man insults him! Holmes, and Lord Holdernesse, are much more sympathetic characters in this adaptation.

At least they cut the nonsense about the bicycle tires that marred the original tale....

Edward Hardwicke is excellent as Watson and this is one episode where the contrast between the practical (and frequently hungry) Doctor and the cerebral and imperious Detective is particularly well established. ... Read more

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Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. John Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are brought to Hurlstone Manor by Reginald Musgrave (Michael Culver) to look into the disappearance of his butler, Brunton (James Hazeldine).Various clues (a crumpled piece of paper, a brass key, a peg of wood with string attached) suggest that Brunton's disappearance is somehow related to the "Musgrave ritual," an arcane practice compelling young Musgrave family members to recite an odd riddle that might have to do with buried treasure. Holmes's methodical approach to the problem is a lot of fun, and Brett and Hardwicke seem to be having a particularly good time outdoors, pursuing the solution under a bit of sunshine. Jeremy Paul, who adapted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story for this teledrama, won an Edgar Award for his script. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (7)

We love it
When Sherlock Holmes drops in on an old school chum, Reginald Musgrave, he finds his visit anything but boring. When the butler disappears and the maid has an unexplained nervous breakdown, Holmes begins to investigate. The Musgrave family has been unwittingly keeping a secret for hundreds of years, and it lies at the very heart of this mystery!

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Musgrave Ritual, was episode three of the third season, and originally aired on July 23, 1986. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!

A Keeper
I rate on several levels, and this episode rates excellent on 1)plot 2)acting 3)location and photography. The setting of the mystery is beautiful; the "new" side of Holmes' character is amusing (I had to laugh at his behaviour) and the Musgrave Ritual's reward after the wonderful suspense of the hunt was truly a unique treasure. I enjoyed Holmes' human side - Jeremy Brett's portrayal of him as almost embarassing Dr. Watson, and Edward Hardwicke's facial expressions - tolerant, weary, amused, forgiving - truly a "brick" and a friend to Holmes. I find his portrayal of Dr. Watson is convincing as a medical man, intelligent in his own right without any inferiority.

A Great Episode
This is a great episode. One of the best in the series. I definitely recommend it.

Glad it's here and we can watch it
This is one of my favorites! It is just like the conan Doyle book with the mysterious ritual. Brett's acting is perfect for the role! Edward Hardwicke is perfect for Dr. Watson. This is a treasure as it is imitated perfectly from the book. A great film!

Not Faithful But Fun
Poised between the early years of this series, which featured faithful and respectful adaptations of Conan Doyle, and the later years in which the stories were sometimes painfully altered (often to pad them out or to work around Brett's declining physical condition). The original story is a reminiscence of Holmes' early days as recounted to Watson afterwards; the adaptation puts Watson into the story and takes the further liberty of showing us Holmes high on cocaine. It's fun but not in the same class as the earlier episodes. ("The Musgrave Ritual" was adapted to rather better effect by Bertram Millhauser some 40 years earlier in Basil Rathbone's great "Sherlock Holmes Faces Death," which is unfortunately no longer available.) ... Read more

Description

An intelligence agent is blackmailed into becoming an assassin in this clever, challenging spy thriller that will keep you guessing until the last explosive moment. ... Read more