The definitive Sherlock Holmes
Discussion
I have been rewatching the Granada Television of Holmes with Jeremy Brett from the1980s. I am solidly convinced that Brett is the apex of Holmes as he was written to be by Sir Doyle.
The set Granada built for Victorian England is itself its own character. Brilliant. That is some of the most top notch television production there was IMO. The obvious dedication and attention to detail is admirable. I wonder if I am alone, off in a dusty corner enjoying this oft overlooked masterpiece.
The set Granada built for Victorian England is itself its own character. Brilliant. That is some of the most top notch television production there was IMO. The obvious dedication and attention to detail is admirable. I wonder if I am alone, off in a dusty corner enjoying this oft overlooked masterpiece.
montecristo said:
Agreed. Basil Rathbone is pretty good too.
Carleton Hobbs on the radio was excellent.
Maybe coincidentally, that period saw the best TV versions of the three main detectives - Jeremy Brett, David Suchet, Joan Hickson.
Agreed on that period. There was some dedication to craft going on then. I assume their budgets were healthy as well. Carleton Hobbs on the radio was excellent.
Maybe coincidentally, that period saw the best TV versions of the three main detectives - Jeremy Brett, David Suchet, Joan Hickson.
Jimbeaux said:
I am solidly convinced that Brett is the apex of Holmes as he was written to be by Sir Doyle.
Completely agree, for me, Jeremey Brett effectively WAS Homes. I’d read most of the stories before the TV series started, and when I first saw Brett as Holmes, he was almost exactly what I had in my head already. Some of his little quirks and mannerisms were just amazingly done.There was effectively a ‘who’s who’ of British character actors across the episodes too, some truly great actors appeared.
There can never be Poirot or Holmes again. I realise there are the new versions of Holmes with Cumberbatch and Downey Jr but they're not 'classic' Holmes. The versions of Poirot recently just don't cut the mustard.
The other one that can never be done again is Jeeves and Wooster.
I've read all the Jeeves books and thought Hugh Laurie was good but Stephen Fry over played it and was too young relative to Wooster, that is he should have been more like an all-knowing uncle rather than a superior snot bag.
Just my opinion but naturally a correct one.
The other one that can never be done again is Jeeves and Wooster.
I've read all the Jeeves books and thought Hugh Laurie was good but Stephen Fry over played it and was too young relative to Wooster, that is he should have been more like an all-knowing uncle rather than a superior snot bag.
Just my opinion but naturally a correct one.
I concur with op's opinion about Brett - genius tinged with a touch of madness!
I have been Holmes fan since schooldays, and have listened to, and watched most of its variants.
I recently obtained the Audible audio book with Stephen Fry (another Sherlockian) narrating, and was pleased that it was an unabridged and unadorned reading of the complete works. I commend it to any Conan Doyle fans.
I have been Holmes fan since schooldays, and have listened to, and watched most of its variants.
I recently obtained the Audible audio book with Stephen Fry (another Sherlockian) narrating, and was pleased that it was an unabridged and unadorned reading of the complete works. I commend it to any Conan Doyle fans.
paulguitar said:
Completely agree, for me, Jeremey Brett effectively WAS Homes. I’d read most of the stories before the TV series started, and when I first saw Brett as Holmes, he was almost exactly what I had in my head already. Some of his little quirks and mannerisms were just amazingly done.
There was effectively a ‘who’s who’ of British character actors across the episodes too, some truly great actors appeared.
Absolutely. His quirks and twitches were acting precision. I really appreciated his efforts. You make a good point about guest appearances, there were some heavyweights. They would step in to portray a PM or Lordish roles. Charles Gray as Mycroft stood out for me. There was effectively a ‘who’s who’ of British character actors across the episodes too, some truly great actors appeared.
Countdown said:
Brett is also my favourite but I think he became a bit too “hammy” in the later series. I also dont think it helped when the “Watson” character became a bit dense.
I actually thought this series portrayed Watson as a competent sidekick as opossed to the buffoonery of the Rathbone era Watson. If anything, I feel that the second Granada Watson (Edward Hardwicke) was more studious than the first.
Jimbeaux said:
Countdown said:
Brett is also my favourite but I think he became a bit too “hammy” in the later series. I also dont think it helped when the “Watson” character became a bit dense.
I actually thought this series portrayed Watson as a competent sidekick as opossed to the buffoonery of the Rathbone era Watson. If anything, I feel that the second Granada Watson (Edward Hardwicke) was more studious than the first.
Countdown said:
Apologies - you're right, I think I got them mixed up. Yes, Hardwicke was definitely more believable as the ex-Afghan war veteran. I also agree that the "Rathbone" Watson was quite buffoonish but I quite liked him for some reason
I enjoyed him as well as the comedy relief he was intended to be. (referring to the Rathbone Watson)Some forget or may not have even realized that David Burke was Watson in the first season, replaced by Hardwicke for the remaining run.
FourWheelDrift said:
Brett was Holmes IMHO. Rathbone started ok but when the films moved into the modern world and became WWII propaganda films they just felt odd.
Pedant mode - was it not WW1? I really enjoyed those One of my favourite parts from "His Last Bow"His Last Bow said:
"There's an east wind coming, Watson."
"I think not, Holmes. It is very warm."
"Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age. There's an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind none the less, and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared.
"I think not, Holmes. It is very warm."
"Good old Watson! You are the one fixed point in a changing age. There's an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it's God's own wind none the less, and a cleaner, better, stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared.
Countdown said:
FourWheelDrift said:
Brett was Holmes IMHO. Rathbone started ok but when the films moved into the modern world and became WWII propaganda films they just felt odd.
Pedant mode - was it not WW1?Agreed that Brett is by far the best portrayal of Holmes, and Edward Hardwicke does one of the best Watsons too, especially the way both characters and their portrayals mesh in the series.
Apparently Jeremy Brett was absolutely exacting about not only the accuracy of his portrayal but getting invested in the character. He saw a lot of his own personality, with its tendency towards professional obsessions and his mood swings, in Holmes and after while he felt that his own identity and the character began bleeding together.
When Brett's mental and physical health began to suffer, so did his work as Holmes (probably just as well in a way as it forced him, by rather unfortunate means, to give up on such a perfectionist portrayal) and that's when the adaptations became a bit hammy and staid because Brett wasn't able to give the same performance. Not a pleasant tale by any means, but it did result in what has to be =the= definitive Holmes.
Basil Rathbone did a good job but overall his portrayal was hampered by being teamed with the bumbling/comic relief version of Watson which was popular in the era. I think Peter Cushing played the character very well (probably my second favourite after Brett) but overall the effect was tarnished by his Watsons and the rather pulpy character of the Hammer films and BBC TV of the 1960s.
Apparently Jeremy Brett was absolutely exacting about not only the accuracy of his portrayal but getting invested in the character. He saw a lot of his own personality, with its tendency towards professional obsessions and his mood swings, in Holmes and after while he felt that his own identity and the character began bleeding together.
When Brett's mental and physical health began to suffer, so did his work as Holmes (probably just as well in a way as it forced him, by rather unfortunate means, to give up on such a perfectionist portrayal) and that's when the adaptations became a bit hammy and staid because Brett wasn't able to give the same performance. Not a pleasant tale by any means, but it did result in what has to be =the= definitive Holmes.
Basil Rathbone did a good job but overall his portrayal was hampered by being teamed with the bumbling/comic relief version of Watson which was popular in the era. I think Peter Cushing played the character very well (probably my second favourite after Brett) but overall the effect was tarnished by his Watsons and the rather pulpy character of the Hammer films and BBC TV of the 1960s.
Gassing Station | TV, Film, Video Streaming & Radio | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff