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: December 15, 1994
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301480414
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #333,491 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Ladies and gentemen, meet Sherlock Holmes's older brother, Mycroft. One of the most delightful surprises in the Holmes canon of stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle, the introduction of Mycroft is wonderfully realized in this Granada Television adaptation. Charles Gray stars as the larger-than-life yet shadowy Holmes sibling who rarely leaves his beloved Diogenes Club and, in effect, runs the British government with his long memory for policies and details. The case he brings to Sherlock (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) is unnerving in its suggestion of real brutality: a professional interpreter of Mycroft's acquaintance was kidnapped and threatened with harm the night before if he did not agree to translate for another hostage, a Greek man under obvious duress and probable torture. The subsequent investigation runs afoul of some truly nasty people who will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. But before that happens, we're treated to the memorable moment when Sherlock and Mycroft essentially compete in their analysis of an old soldier seen from a window. Great stuff. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impeccable, Thoroughly Enjoyable Mystery, October 11, 1999

By 

Steven L. Shoup (New York City) - See all my reviews

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

If the American over-the-air tv networks spent more time studying work such as this and applying it, instead of grinding out prurient cookie-cutter garbage, they might not wind up losing 20% of their viewers year after year! In addition to the consistently grand elements Grenada brings to this series, they have picked one of the two Conan Doyle stories featuring Sherlock's older (and, even according to Holmes) smarter brother, Mycroft. Charles Gray turns in a virtuoso performance as Mycroft (you might remember him as Blofeld in the James Bond film DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER and as the narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW)and both Gray and Brett are at the top of their form as brothers - including the outstanding and humorous deductive "duel" against each other as they observe the gentleman across the street. The tale that follows is one of the darker, more sinister efforts Doyle ever penned, and gets downright disturbing as the Interpreter watches the bandaged captive being subjected to an almost inquisition-like mental torture (and obvious physical torture prior to his appearance). To say that this episode shows "Love can be blind" is an understatement, and the rollicking/terrifying finale onboard the speeding train is wonderful, if startling. Above all, it is always a thrill to watch Jeremy Brett become (and I mean "become") Sherlock Holmes. He should be awarded not only a posthumous "knighthood" but be publicly proclaimed, by every nation, as "a world treasure" for what he accomplished with this role.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and creepy, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

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

One aspect of this series that I have always enjoyed is the sly humor that the writers, directors, composer, and actors brought to their respective roles. There are marvellous things in this episode; George Costigan's spot-on Peter Lorre impersonation is great black humor already, but watch how even a small touch from the little man sends people twice his size hurtling through a doorway! He's a fitting match for the triumvirate of Holmes, Holmes, and Watson. Charles Grey and Jeremy Brett obviously are having a lot of fun playing the two brilliant brothers, and David Burke is appropriately puzzled and intrigued by the bizarre Diogenes Club. He also actually functions as a doctor in this episode, though he seems to prescribe 'brandy' as his medication of choice. Still, everyone is marvellously convincing. The addition of the train chase at the end is a distinct improvement on the original story and completely in character--my favorite bit is when Holmes gives Watson complete analyses of each person in each railway compartment as they search for the killer. My one complaint is that we never learn what became of the deed that the poor Greek prisoner had to sign--it must have been pretty important! But that's a small complaint. For good, stylish, noirish fun, this is one of the best episodes of this fine series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One exciting ending!, March 16, 2002

A Kid's Review

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

One of my favorite Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes. The Greek Interpertator has one of the first appearances by Mycroft. The ending is neat, where Holmes, Mycroft, and Watson are on a train following the criminals. Enjoy!