Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - The Norwood Builder [VHS]

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Holmes takes on the case of a young solicitor accused of arson and murder. He enters the case with his work cut out for him, as the circumstantial evidence against the young lawyer is very strong, and the motive an excellent one. Holmes must prove his client innocent in the face of mounting evidence as he matches wits with the stubborn and un-creative Inspector Lestrade. In this installment of Holmes mysteries, the late, lamented Jeremy Brett shows the melancholy side of Holmes as the case turns against him. Colin Jeavons is excellent as Lestrade, but the character of MacFarland seems much too unconcerned about his fate to be effective; a little more emotion and indignation would have helped a considerable amount. The unravelling of the mystery is both ingenious and funny, as Holmes outwits Scotland Yard, saves his client, and comes face to face with "a very deep, vindictive, and malicious" culprit. A worthy effort.

To be able to sustain the high level of quality and value that this Holmes series does, is a breath-taking accomplishment by itself. And this episode is another drop in the bucket of examples, book-ended by Brett's truly masterful portrayal of the legendary Holmes. Colin Jeavons joins in with his recurring characterization of Inspector Lestrade, self-important, mousey and patronizingly dismissive of his intellectual superior, Holmes. As with Conan Doyle's short story, this is a maze of mystery and deceit. But even Watson takes on an added allure as he suggests to Holmes a review of bank papers, which Holmes hadn't even considered and the result drops another conclusion into Sherlock's deductive reasoning. Good old Watson! (and a splendid job by Burke). Brett shows us another glimpse into Holmes benign contempt of the official police force with his rallying them into a chorus of "Fire!" ("gentlemen, we can do better than that") and again the master dons a disguise that is unexpected and fascinating (both for Sherlock and Jeremy Brett). It is especially fun to watch Brett's Holmes subtly shift his demeanor as he sees the light at the end of the tunnel and knows he can throw it in the face of Lestrade. Kudos all the way around for this excellent episode . . . and a series so well made that you will want to rush out and read the original stories!

The "Norwood Builder" is a top-rate adventure of Sherlock Holmes. It is one of my favourite adventures. It has a light feel to it (unlike the ones with darker story-lines, such as the "Red Circle"). The episode is best watched over lunch. The story-line is actually quite simple. Sherlock Holmes must prove that John Hector MacFarlane did not commit the murder of the "Norwood Builder." This is a must for anyone who even remotely enjoys Sherlock Holmes.

THE NORWOOD BUILDER is a tour de force for Jeremy Brett. At the beginning of the story Holmes is depressed and petulant because he has no work. He is overjoyed when the unhappy John Hector McFarlane seeks his help in clearing him of a murder which he swears he did not commit.To Holmes it is simply another 'interesting problem.' The look on David Burke's face speaks volumes as Holmes sheds crocodile tears for the 'poor client'. Inspector LeStrade feels that he can hang this man. The evidence appears to be definitive, and it looks almost as if he has gotten the jump on Holmes in solving the case. Holmes becomes more and more agitated and compassionate as he realizes that the boy is indeed innocent and that Lestrade may indeed succeed in hanging him. There are lovely visuals, with Holmes perching like a vulture on the ruins of a burned house; Watson seen through a window hurriedly gathering papers inside a library while Holmes queries a constable in the foreground; and many other cinematic touches that make this show and many others in the series better cinema than many theatrical features made at the same time. The cast is outstanding, particularly Colin Jeavons as Inspector Lestrade and Jeremy Brett as a very complex Holmes who is by no means an emotionless 'calculating machine'. It is genuinely startling to see Brett incognito in this episode; the contrast between the 'disguise' and the detective has never been greater. An excellent show.