The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Boxed Set Collection)
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DVD details
Actor: Jeremy BrettBrand: MPI
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Unknown; English (Subtitled)
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 690 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-05-28
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Mpi Home Video
DVD Reviews of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Boxed Set Collection)
DVD Review: DVD set
Summary: 5 Stars
Good price and service. Love the J. Brett Holmes series, have the whole collection.DVD Review: Does Not Get Better Than This
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Adventures", the first two seasons of the Granada Sherlock Holmes series, is, in my opinion, the finest overall reproduction of the SH Canon there is. Certainly, all 13 episodes were undoubtedly the best in the entire series, which did loose it's quality significantly towards the last two seasons, but was loosing the magic sporradically long before the "Casebook" episodes.
What made the "Adventures" such perfection was a combination of elements, not the least of which was attention to details ... the trifles; and there is nothing so important as trifles, according to Holmes himself. The casting is remarkable, although in fairness, it was so throughout almost the entire series. The characters seem to radiate off the pages of the books, such careful study was placed on ACD's descriptions of them. Inspector Lestrade (Colin Jeavons) IS the little ferret faced Scotland Yard official. There are no other Professor Moriaritys that compare to the portrayal of Eric Porter. Charles Grey as Mycroft brought the character to life, and beliveably so. The side characters were just as well cast, making the "Adventures" series straight out of the pages of Canon.
And then, there was Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, with David Burke as his Watson ... What more can I say than there were no two actors more suited to play the roles of Holmes/Watson, they ARE Sherlock Holmes and Dr John H. Watson. It's plainly evident that the writers as well as the actors "got" the characters. The depth of understanding Brett & Burke had for Holmes/Watson was astounding. I have yet to find another Holmes/Watson portrayal where both actors simply become who they are portraying. The greatest asset to the "Adventures" is this; that the episodes come out so genuine and true to the stories because Brett and Burke know Holmes & Watson AND the scope of their friendship.
Brett becomes Holmes, his portrayal is not affected in the least. Holmes acts a certain way for a reason, and even if that reason is not stated in the specific episode/story, you will get a true rendition of the character because of that understanding. Burke's Watson was a rare joy. His Watson was fiercely loyal to Holmes, yet intelligent and useful. While his successor, Edward Hardwicke was by no means a poor Watson, his, to me, lacked that absolute loyalty found in Burke's protrayal, and in such, he strayed from the Watson of the stories. Watson was not an equal to Holmes, and Burke carried this off without making a bumbling idiot of himself in the process. Quite the opposite, in fact.
I have seen all the episodes of this series, and if I had it to buy over, the "Adventures" would be at the top of my list, followed by "The Return" and "The Sign of the Four". I've watched them all innumerable times, but the "Adventure" series never looses its charm. Excellent stories were chosen, and some of which even managed to top the original stories for me (such as Solitary Cyclist, Copper Beeches, Dancing Men, Red Headed League, Resident Patient - the latter includes a delightful parody of Conan Doyle's own parody 'How Watson Learned the Trick', and a gorgeous re creation of one of Paget's original drawings).
Not that the other seasons didn't have some remarkably well done episodes true to the stories. But all, if not the overwhelming majority of these first two seasons were such perfection, when there are only a handful of ones with such accuracy in the ensuing seasons. I cannot recommend "The Adventure" series highly enough.
DVD Review: Geat Classic Holmes
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this series when it was broadcast in the US on PBS and am thoroughly entertained by it yet today. Jeremy Brett is a great Holmes.DVD Review: A BRILLIANT MIND - A HERO FOR THE AGES
Summary: 5 Stars
You don't have to be a great mystery enthusiast, nor a lover of crime drama, nor have anything except a sense of adventure and an enjoyment of great acting to love this Sherlock Holmes series. It is not often anymore in today's world that a character seen on television or in the movies can serve as a role model for young minds, but with his emphasis on brains winning where brawn fails, Holmes shows that study and observation and careful deduction can score a much higher reward than bullying and bravado. And Holmes does face his share of bullies and brutes who would like to stop him. With contempt for those who threaten him and courage in the face of vicious thugs who stalk the night, Holmes pursues answers to horrific crimes by taking avenues that others would not dare to follow. From the intimate corners of lavish estates and palaces to the grimiest back alley hell holes he tracks down those who believe they have gotten away with the perfect crime. Always impeccably groomed and handsomely attired, the limber and elegant figure of the man is no slouch when it comes to the unpleasant task of having to dispense with a brute in direct confrontation. Well schooled in self defense, boxing, fencing, and physically energetic, thugs who think they can simply run roughshod over Holmes are suprised to find themselves flat on their backs after trying to assault him. But this is not the way he prefers to resolve matters, nor does he often need to resort to using a revolver, he does not normally carry one, though he shows he will readily do so if the pursuit requires it.
The supreme confidence he has in his own resourcefulness coupled with obvious delight he takes in putting sadistic and sinister villains behind bars makes Holmes a figure who defies any sort of commonplace spotlight in the pantheon of the great heroic figures of literature. The acting is brilliant. Though typically his face is the model of placid contemplation, as situations change you see the subtle moods change in his facial features clearly indicating his anger, contempt, concern, shock or mirth but never too much. Jeremy Brett plays the role with humor and graceful, fluid understated changes in his moods. Maintaining control of his emotions most of the time, Holmes clearly has very little patience when it comes to those who do not come to the point and present the facts. He also has little patience for idle time. His mind is busy and loves a challenge, he often laments of there being no suitable challenge to occupy his time. Though he has a standard fee for his services as a private detective, he will often dismiss his fee if he finds a cause sufficient to pursue despite a client's lack of funds. There is not a single drama in the set that should be missed. The video is crisp and brilliant to watch, the audio is fine and the music fits the mood of the series. The period set pieces are also amazing to behold in themselves, a great recreation of a time out of history. Well worth the investment.
- Mike S.
DVD Review: The definitive Holmes
Summary: 5 Stars
Other reviews have remarked on the choice of stories, on how well Jeremy Brett portrays Holmes, on the faithfulness to the Conan Doyle stories, etc. I cannot add much more to their praises. Instead, it might be useful to write a review for the non-Holmes fan, someone with only a passing interest, or one who hasn't read the stories. As I have only read the stories once, and then several years ago, I think I'm in a good position to comment in this way.
Be assured that no pre-knowledge is required to enjoy this set. The Holmes stories are simple - only two main characters (and only a few recurring peripheral characters - e.g. Holmes's landlady and brother). Although some of the stories may be a little absurd, they are all well-acted and engrossing. Most welcome is the feel of the Victorian England in which Holmes and Watson live: Watson is the proud Englishman, having served his country in its colonial wars, and making no apologies for it. Holmes is somewhat more introspective - he can see the injustices of the Industrial Revolution and the futility of war, but he is still deeply English and cannot fathom that a person from any other country could be as useful as he. One might argue that the casual opium use (by Holmes) is overstated, but it is certainly part of the manic-depressive character of Holmes.
What is most striking about the shows, however, is Brett's performance. The quirks and mannerisms he creates makes Holmes a living, 3-D character. Just his performance is so engaging that you lose yourself in the story even though an hour-long show may have been adapted from a mere 3- or 4-page story. It's never dull, even when the plot moves slowly, which is a credit to the screenwriters as well. All-in-all a very enjoyable series.
Description of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Boxed Set Collection)
Studio: Mpi Home Video Release Date: 05/28/2002 Run time: 500 minutes Rating: NrJeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes is perhaps the best filmed version of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective, showcasing Holmes's dazzling brilliance without ignoring his unnerving intensity or drug dependencies. First aired on Britain's Granada Television in 1984, the series offered perfect casting (David Burke, replaced later in the run by Edward Hardwicke, played Dr. Watson as Holmes's sturdy companion and chronicler rather than as a buffoon), marvelous period music by Patrick Gowers, and a running time of almost an hour per story, which allowed superior detail and faithfulness to the original source.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes marked the beginning of the long-running series. Highlights of these 13 episodes include "A Scandal in Bohemia," which introduces Irene Adler (Gayle Hunnicutt), whom Holmes uncharacteristically describes as having "a face a man might die for"; the chilling locked-room mystery "The Speckled Band"; the introduction of Sherlock's brother Mycroft (Charles Gray) in "The Greek Interpreter"; and "The Final Problem," in which Holmes confronts his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty (Eric Porter) at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. The five-disc boxed set is a great bargain compared to previous VHS releases, although bonus features are limited to English subtitles and galleries of Sidney Paget's famous illustrations. The series would continue on Granada with The Return of Sherlock Holmes, The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, and The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes as well as the stand-alone treatments of The Sign of Four and The Hound of the Baskervilles. --David Horiuchi
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