Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Granada Television Series

That the success of this series rests on Brett's shoulders is apparent when you watch these. Segments are not drowned in music telling you what to feel thereby shortcutting character and scene development - so much of these stories are told through movement, expression, reaction, dialogue and modulation of voice; I'm really in awe of the man. So many minute details animate this series and the period it artfully suggests: no capped teeth, streets full of horse manure, references to the trends and fashions of the time - and again, music used sparingly. The Watson/Holmes relationship is beautifully done and both David Burke and Edward Hardwicke make of Watson a great foil full of understanding, affection, exasperation, and the patience that a real life Holmes would surely require. Hardwicke is a perhaps a little more natural and avuncular - but i like both. The change comes at a perfect time at the Final Problem/Empty House episodes. A who's who of British TV and film, scores of actors who go onto series of their own or who appear in other heritage type productions, providing unerring support - it's fun to try and figure out where you've seen them. I'm also impressed by how skillfully these were adapted - you're left with the idea that the writers were given great fundamental material in the original stories. I'm thinking in particular of Charles Augustus Milverton which becomes The Master Blackmailer in the series. The dialogue that is retained from this super short story is retained verbatim, albeit given hyper skillfully to other characters, but the writer fills it out with an in-character back-story that left me gaping at the skill and professionalism of the whole thing. The complete creation of each character's world. The beauty that is in details. Norma West ["Mrs. Le Bloody Strange"] as Lady Swinstead is incredible and she makes this extended show my favorite - her performance is cathartic and convincing - a tour de force of character- it is violent and very beautiful all choreographed to Debussy's ravishing Beau Soir. So rich, so perfect. I bought the non blue ray edition of the series and it looks, sounds, and plays well.

At 64 I grew up on Basil Rathbone's characterization of Sherlock Holmes. He looked and played the part superbly. But the plots were hatched by Universal Studios during the 1940s. A few were even used as war propaganda and only two films were faithful to period or to Doyle's storylines.Other actors came down the pike taking their turn donning the stereotyped, if not nauseating, deer stalker cap and absurd Calabash pipe as Doyle's detective, but each failed to hit the mark for one reason or other. Dashing about London wearing a deerstalker ensemble would have been an unforgivable Victorian social faux pas. Dr. Watson was often played as a fool or comedic foil. Doyle's plots were pulled and stretched beyond recognition. They made Holmes a lover of the fairer sex. The latest from Hollywood took a classic hero and fed him into the special f/x machine to emerge as some bizarre, modern, super hero.If you are still looking for the one and ONLY Sherlock Holmes. The man who breathed life into the Victorian detective, and embodied the spirit given to him by Sir Aurthur Conan Doyle; it would be Jeremy Brett in the made for television Granada Production of Sherlock Holmes. Granada Productions produced a series that was loyal to the Doyle scripts, accurate to costuming, locales, sets, character actor selections and even paid homage to Strand Magazine's illustrator, Sydney Paget, with its vignettes of his several illustrations carefully woven into the episodes. They will, of course, escape the eye of those not familiar with the original Paget illustrations, but they are the Easter Eggs of the series for the dedicated reader.Jeremy Brett possessed every quirk, mannerism and gesticulation of Sherlock Holmes down pat. And finally, we have a Dr. Watson who is truly worthy of the great detective as not only sleuth companion, but a friend who shares apartments. Finally, Holmes wears the black morning coat and accoutrements of a Victorian gentleman of London. He does don the deer stalker in a few episodes but ONLY when investigating in the English countryside!Finely acted, loyal to the real characters, lavish sets and costumes, it is a visual feast for the Sherlock Holmes fan. It would only be Brett's untimely death that would prevent he and Granada from completing the canonical series as they had planned.

I purchased a used set, and it is pristine! Beyond that, I've been a Sherlock fan for years, and this is the best version and series I have seen. Sir Arthur would be most pleased. The sets and filming locations are superb. Acting is exceptional. So glad I bought this. BTW, these DVDs upscale beautifully. The picture is far superior to streaming.