Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Copper Beeches [VHS]

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

 

 

With the above phrase, eccentric Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) hires unemployed governess (Violet Hunter) Natasha Richardson to care for his only son in his desolate manor house in rural England. However, Rucastle's demands of Miss Hunter border on the bizarre, and she consults the great detective Holmes to unravel the mystery of The Copper Beaches and why she was really hired. This early Granada episode is nearly flawless. A crucial element I admire so much about this series is the uniformly excellent acting given by all players. Brett and Burke are their usual sublime selves; Ackland is perfectly creepy as Rucastle; however, the clear standout here is Natasha Richardson. Her film debut here is nothing short of superb. Richardson is wholly believable as a strong, independent woman nearly frightened to death by the harrowing circumstances she finds herself in. The first exchange between her character and Holmes is a delight: Holmes, indifferent and annoyed by her at first, is quickly swayed to her cause by Richardson's sly and subtle play on his sympathies. Subsequently, Richardson's scene where her character is frantically consulting Holmes about the strange events is brilliant: Richardson's fright is almost palpable, and the viewer immediately gains her sympathy. I must say I've rarely ever seen such an impressive screen debut as hers. The fact that Natasha Richardson is a stunningly beautiful woman doesn't hurt, either. Highly recommended

The Copper Beaches has all the right ingredients for a fun and entertaining mystery. There is a governess in distress, a murky old mansion, a prisoner in a shuttered turret, and of course, Jeremy Brett as Holmes. The mystery is quite intriguing and reminiscent of Jane Eyre. However, as with all the Holmes stories the real attraction is the relationship between Holmes and Watson. This story gives some great insight into the singular personality of Holmes and Watson's loyalty in putting up with his eccentricities. All in all, it's great fun.

Granada's take on The Copper Beeches is a masterly effort, with Jeremy Brett in excellent form and David Burke similarly superb. The marvellous, eerie story is handled beautifully by the creative team, Bill Craig's adaptation being true to the original and maintaining a maximum of suspense. Joss Ackland's performance is terrific, and Natasha Richardson makes her mark wonderfully. Altogether a splendid outing for the Granada team.

Again, it has been done. A movie has been faithfully transcribed to film, and yet nothing is lost. Indeed, this is one of the best in the series.(I say that about all of them, but oh well.) The movie opens to find Holmes in a tantrum because he thinks that he has been hit the rock bottom in his career. However, Violet Hunter's intution is not wrong. Something is definately afoot at the Copper Beeches. The investigation hits its climax inside the turret of a mansion. It is great to see Brett and Burke dashing around while being locked in small confines. Holmes looks just like a caged animal. Stop reading and buy this movie!

+++++

This movie is based on the story "The Adventure of the Copper Beeches" (1892) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 to 1930).

After an interesting beginning to this program where Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) discuss interesting things (I liked the part about logic and deduction), Sherlock tells Watson he has received the following letter signed by a Violet Hunter (Natasha Richardson, her TV debut):

"I'm very anxious to consult you as to whether I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to me as governess."

The person who has offered her this "situation" is oddball Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) who lives at an "extensive" estate called "The Copper Beeches" ("near New Winchester [in] Hampshire"). As well Rucastle offers Violet a lucrative salary. However, there are some mysterious conditions that she must accept first:

(1) She has to cut her long hair "quite short."
(2) She has to wear an "electric blue" dress indoors in the mornings.
(3) She has to sit in a designated place with her back to a window.

Sherlock deduces that there is more here than Violet is being told and investigates.

This entire story is suspenseful and the ending is particularly good.

Brett (as usual) does a stellar job in capturing the essence of the famous gumshoe in his performance. As well, Ackland as Violet's strange employer gives a superb performance. Newcomer Richardson handles herself well in her performance as Violet.

Finally, the props, costumes, background music, and cinematography are well done.

In conclusion, this is a good movie to watch even if you have read the story it's based on!!

(1984; 50 min; British drama; made for TV; full screen; color)

+++++