Granada Sherlock Holmes series with Jeremy Brett

[Christopher]

It is axiomatic that no one thing will be liked by everyone. Indeed, the only way to avoid offending anyone is to avoid delighting anyone, to do nothing distinctive enough to evoke any strong reaction at all.

I loved Brett's portrayal, but I do feel that it's a bit revisionist. The Holmes of the original stories was a lot more subdued, not as theatrical and impassioned as Brett's Holmes. So I can see how some might see that as a flawed approach.

 

[propita]

While technically not Holmes, I liked "They Might Be Giants" with George C. Scott as a mentally broken judge who imagines himself to be Holmes. The (female) doctor evaluating him is, naturally, named Dr. Watson.

Anyone ever see this?

 

[Kail]

Conan Doyle on Holmes...

"His face , which took on a red Indian composure, had made many regard him as a machine rather than a man." "He had a cold proud nature" "his unemotional character" "Holmes had a quiet and didactic manner"

Even though we are told "A dry chuckle was his nearest approach to a laugh", many times Watson tells us Holmes exploded and roared with "paroxyms of laughter".

My impression is that Holmes is very laid back, cold and aloof, only when not involved in a case. While working he's highly energetic and excitable, throwing himself on floors looking for clues, running from place to place.

 

[Steve67]

My impression is that Holmes is very laid back, cold and aloof, only when not involved in a case. While working he's highly energetic and excitable, throwing himself on floors looking for clues, running from place to place.

Yes, Holmes only becomes truly alive when he's on a case or to a lesser extent, enjoying music.

One thing that interests me is how Holmes' drug use became a more prominent aspect of his character, which was no surprise as the Victorian era was the Golden Age of drug abuse. Perhaps with the popularity of drug abuse among Baby Boomers, Holmes' own addictions could once again be referenced in subsequent TV and film adaptations of Conan Doyle's work.

 

[Christopher]

Perhaps with the popularity of drug abuse among Baby Boomers, Holmes' own addictions could once again be referenced in subsequent TV and film adaptations of Conan Doyle's work.

It's not like references to the drug use have been absent in media adaptations. I know it was addressed to some extent in the Granada series. The very title of Nicholas Meyer's novel and film The Seven Per Cent Solution is a reference to Holmes's drug use. And heck, casting Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes is at least implicitly an acknowledgment of Holmes's substance abuse issues.

 

[Steve67]

Perhaps with the popularity of drug abuse among Baby Boomers, Holmes' own addictions could once again be referenced in subsequent TV and film adaptations of Conan Doyle's work.

It's not like references to the drug use have been absent in media adaptations. I know it was addressed to some extent in the Granada series. The very title of Nicholas Meyer's novel and film The Seven Per Cent Solution is a reference to Holmes's drug use. And heck, casting Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes is at least implicitly an acknowledgment of Holmes's substance abuse issues.

Right. I was thinking of The Seven Percent Solution and pretty much the early '70s onward in terms of adaptations bringing out the drug use angle. I certainly don't recall Basil Rathbone's Holmes indulging in anything stronger than brandy and pipe tobacco, but then I haven't watched those particular films in ages.

 

[McCoy]

Very last line of Rathbone's Hound of the Baskervilles: "Watson! The needle." Followed by Watson giving a big eye roll.

 

[Steve67]

Very last line of Rathbone's Hound of the Baskervilles: "Watson! The needle." Followed by Watson giving a big eye roll.

Some of the movie channels have been airing the Rathbone films; I'll keep an eye (ear) open for that.

And to try and steer things back to Jeremy Brett and co., I do notice a toning down of the intensity from Adventures to Return. Don't know if this is Brett finding a middle ground or his real-life health issues playing a part. Whatever the case, he's still brilliant.