Product Details

• Actors: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Rosalie Williams, Eric Porter
• Producers: John Hawkesworth
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Mpi Home Video
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 1995
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303418511
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,781 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What is the meaning of the stick figures that appear scrawled one day on the exterior wall of a Northfolk manor? Why do they so terribly upset the American wife (Betsey Brantley) of the gentleman (Tenniel Evans) who lives there? The case proves one of the most tantalizing for Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson (David Burke). Then it proves among the gravest of Holmes's career when murder enters the picture and the distraught woman is charged with the crime. This is one of those stories from the Holmes canon that practically invites an adaptation; Sherlockians will enjoy seeing the oddly disturbing "dancing men" on screen, while newcomers to Holmes will find the tale particularly compelling. As always, Jeremy Brett remains the definitive Holmes. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent adaptation, with one curious exception, August 6, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Dancing Men [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This lovely film has a fine murder mystery and a code based on the one used in Poe's THE GOLD BUG. I enjoyed Brett and Burke's performances, as usual. It is the first time I ever saw Holmes lose a client as a result of a mistake he made, and the expression on Brett's face is marvellous when he realizes his error.

My one negative reaction was to the American actors; the villain did not have anything resembling a Chicagoan accent and it was a little foolish having him ride up to the house in a 19th century cowpoke's outfit. Not exactly the typical outfit one would wear if one was a Chicago gangster, even if it was the 19th century...

This is a rare lapse for the Granada series, usually so fine in its recreation of the costumes and manners of different nationalities of the time.

It's a small problem, though, and THE DANCING MEN is a good production. Listen for Patrick Gowers' sly paraphrase of Debussy's NEW WORLD SYMPHONY on the soundtrack.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The ending isn't that great, March 16, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Dancing Men [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I love this film. It is one of the best Sherlock Holmes. I really like it because I like the Shelock Holmes that follow the original story. For some reason I didn't find the ending that great. The sinpector, followed by Holmes's request just puts a gun up to the man's head and he tells his story. The rest of it is exciting and greatly acted!