Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volume 3 (The Blue Carbuncle/The Copper Beeches)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Brett was the definitive Holmes, in my opinion, and the DVDs of his performances are essential to all Holmes fans. That said, these DVDs are lacking in any sort of special features and -- worst of all -- while there were four episodes included on the first volume, there are only two epsiodes each on volumes two and three - at virtually the same price as the first volume.

Our Well Studied and Deliberately Executed Holmes:

In reviewing this DVD, I'm actually examining the actor's performance as the character in the entire series, rather than those encapsulated within the specific titles. I have seen these episodes, and could do a separate review of each, but I think in this case that would actually be inappropriate. I can say, however, that these episodes are very good, and represent this outstanding series very well. The DVD itself is also of very high quality, as far as sound and picture are concerned. Granada did a first rate job, that has translated itself very handily to the new format.

Jeremy Brett's Holmes is something other than the various Holmes' we've been exposed to in the past. I was raised on Rathbone. But when I saw Brett's performances when they first aired on PBS, I slowly forgot Rathbone's influences. Brett immerses himself in such a way that must make it very personal to him, then displays the character of Holmes in a forceful and deliberate manner - and in a depth we may not see again.

The key thing to understanding Holmes, I think, is that he is unique as a genius as any genius would be. Exercising his talents to there fullest doesn't give him super-status as an overall human being by erasing other flaws. Instead, his talent takes precedence, accentuating his human flaws by casting them into a state of neglect that highlights them. Brett understands this, clearly because he himself is either a bona fide genius, or he has somehow deciphered the code that generates a genius' idiosyncratic behaviors. I can't say which. I can say that I really believe his Holmes. Brett may as well BE Holmes.

My second favorite aspect of Brett's Holmes is the level of humor. Great care was taken here to make each little "quip" more situationally true to the character. His humor is really more an expression of how he so uniquely relates to those around him - and is frequently not acknowledged by the other characters - being that they are fairly unaware. We, as the audience are in-on-the-joke, which is nice, and it's usually a pretty funny one.

I guess I just want to say that I think a great deal of this series. Jeremy Brett is the best, and here, has given us so much! He actually died while still "in service" to the roll. Not to sound too stupid about this, but I think there was something very appropriate in that. It's like he waited until he had gained perfection before moving on.

Bravo!

Just one note about the Copper Beeches: Natasha Richardson! Yikes! What a performance. She plays off the embodiment of menace that Joss Ackland actually brilliantly portrays. The pair make this one of the finest and truly scary episodes. Definately my favorite episode.

Once again Jeremy Brett and David Burke lead the way with excellent portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in this: the 3rd DVD volume of the now-classic BBC/Mystery series. With guest turns by a young Natasha Richardson and Joss Acklund, the tales highlighted include a case in which Holmes solves a Christmas jewel robbery and a rather unusual governess position.
The production values are as excellent as always, and Burke's somewhat testy Watson perfectly compliments Brett's eccentric Holmes. Another must have for your DVD Holmes collection and highly recommended.

This movie held me from start to finish with nary a let-up in the action, plotting and genius. The quality reproduction is perfectly clear to the eye and ear because of digital remastering-thanks. Jeremy Brett is superb as the idiocyncratic savant of honor, observation and invention. How many more are there?

Watching this movie reminds me of listening to the radio with rapt attention for any scrap of a clue picked up by the incredible Holmes. The viewer feels like a participant, drawn in to the action, thinking and realism.

Thanks all.

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! And now, these wonderful Granada Television episodes are available on DVD.

This wonderful DVD has two of the 55 minute episodes. My family and I loved this DVD, and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too! (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

The following episodes are included on this DVD:

The Blue Carbuncle - Series 1, episode 7 (June 5, 1984) - When Police Commissionaire Peterson comes to Holmes with the mystery of an old hat and a plucked goose that he found, Holmes actually begins to look for clues. But, when the goose is found to contain a highly-valuable stolen gemstone, Holmes decides to get to the very bottom of this mystery.

The Copper Beeches - Series 2, episode 1 (August 25, 1985) - Miss Violet Hunter is unsure as to whether or not to take a high-paying job as a governess, as the prospective employer has some very peculiar conditions. Taking the job, things go from strange to stranger, and she calls on Holmes for help. What is going on here, and what is the strange employer up to?

The sound on MPIs Sherlock Holmes DVDs has improved since volume one. Otherwise, they remain the same. The sharp picture highlights the weaknesses of the original 16mm photography, and the extras are laughable. But, here we get two of the best episodes in this phenomenal series, in a presentation that far outshines their previous life on VHS. Who could ask for anything more?

Ive always loved The Copper Beeches. Its gothic setting and the hammy performance of Joss Ackland as the mysterious employer help to overcome the weaknesses in Conan Doyles plot, while The Blue Carbuncle showcases the methods of Sherlock Holmes better than any other adventure.

The casting, as usual, couldnt be better. A young Natasha Richardson joins Ackland in The Copper Beeches, and the masterful Jeremy Brett triumphs, yet again, as Sherlock Holmes.

We can only hope that MPI will release the entire series on DVD. I, for one, will buy it.

These early shows from Jeremy Brett's career of portrayal of the famous detective are such a joy to behold.

One of the most endearing characteristics of these shows has been the attention which has been paid to keeping the story as close as possible to the original Conan Doyle story. To that extent, these particular productions are the ultimate in depiction of Sherlock Holmes and one cannot see how anyone would even attempt to remake them with another actor in the major role.

Brett always threw himself into Holmes, playing him with such zeal, style and panache. In these two stories he very much continues to play the character straight as it were acting out the story true to the word. True to his interpretation to the spirit would come later.

David Burke offers an intelligent interpretation of Watson, trying to throw off the categorisation of Watson as a well meaning buffoon which resulted from the Rathbone years.

As others have pointed out these are two great stories, the second notable for the actors involved. From my point of view the attention to detail is marvellous, in the settings and furnishings. Unlike Poirot however, these stories do not tire with the background. The Victorians were much more adventuresome in the extent of their cultural choices than the society portrayed in Agatha Christie's novels.

This is one set that belongs in a DVD library of good detective dramas together with that other beautifully produced series, 'Inspector Morse'.

Ten out of Five.

Jeremy Brett is the best Sherlock Holmes for my money. With his aquiline features, nervous ticks, abrupt action & words, with just the appropriate dose of arrogance, he's the Sherlock of the high-strung disposition I remember reading about. The British Granada TV series presented these stories with great fidelity to the material, good production values, and appearances by some of the best of British actors: some familiar, some just getting started.

The Blue Carbuncle is a tale of a stolen gem with a long history of violence behind it. The mystery is okay, but the highlight is Holmes challenging Watson & then analyzing a left-behind hat and deducing a dozen things about the owner from it, to Watson's chagrine.

The Copper Beeches cast is made up of Joss Auklund, familiar to many in the US, and introduces a very young Natasha Redgrave (to British TV audiences). The chief interest is in Holmes' at first dismissive attitude toward Redgrave, and then upon discovery that she is alone in the world, his care and concern for her (against his normal misogynist tendencies) and his growing regard for her intelligence & courage.

Ably backed by David Burke as an intelligent and capable Watson (no bumbling Nigel Bruce type), these adventures are all of fine quality, only varying due to the strengths or weaknesses of the stories told.

I love the Sherlock Holmes series produced at Grenada TV starring Jeremy Brett, don't get me wrong. But these two are the least favorite of the series teamed up together in my opinion. Words can't describe how awesome the writting, directing and acting portray the only existing video of the original Doyle stories, but these two are rather slack in most all ways compared to the rest of the series' run. Buy it. I will. But I hope they release the series fast and furious so better episodes can be viewed digitally. Sadly, I was in Japan recently where they had the entire series for sale on DVD as a set....why is America so slow to market these incredible portrayals of classic stories??

Every Sherlock fan already knows that Jeremy Brett is THE actor for this role, so all of you who don't know these films and are swaying back and forth between these and Basil Rathbone: Get Jeremy Brett :)