The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Boxed Set Collection)

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

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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.