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: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303418503
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #278,613 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The very first Sherlock Holmes short story (following the detective's introduction in the novels A Study in Scarlet and The Sign of the Four) was also the first Granada Television production in the long-running Holmes series featuring Jeremy Brett's definitive performance as the famous sleuth. No deerstalker cap, cape, curved meerschaum pipe, or Rathbone mannerisms for this Holmes: Brett's portrayal went straight to the heart of the character Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created, with all the manic-depressive, coldly clinical, drug-dependent, and unnervingly focused brilliance intact. Just as on-the-money is David Burke's Dr. John Watson, who is hardly the loyal puppy of widespread assumption but rather a dedicated ally and determined chronicler of the publicity-wary Holmes. A Scandal in Bohemia, ironically, is one of the few instances of Holmes being bested by an equally intelligent adversary--an actress by the name of Irene Adler (Gayle Hunnicutt), who has threatened to reveal damaging evidence of her own affair with the King of Bohemia (Wolf Kahler), a ridiculous pseudonym invented by Watson to protect the real royal personage in trouble. It's Holmes to the rescue, going undercover in disguise to take away the blackmailer's trump, though it's he whose head will ultimately be turned by the extraordinary Irene. The cast is wonderful (meet Rosalie Williams as Baker Street housekeeper Mrs. Hudson), and the drama is great fun. (For a contemporary movie reinvention of this story, check out the 1998 feature Zero Effect, starring Bill Pullman as a whacked-out variation on Holmes, Ben Stiller as his long-suffering Watson, and Kim Dickens as an updated Irene.) --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enough to Make Merchant/Ivory Jealous, October 7, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The entire Granada series is nothing short of superb. This first entry is a shining example of what kind of magic you can create when you "do it right." Faithful to the story and period, it boasts a top-notch cast. Let there be no mistake: The late Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. Having seen and enjoyed Rathbone, Richardson, Cushing, Lee, John Wood, et. al., those performances all wither against Brett's. He has captured the essense of the world's greatest amatuer consulting detective perfectly. It will be a long time (if ever) that his work will be surpassed. "Scandal" is worth every cent to any lover of Holmes and mysteries. Just the physical change that Holmes (and Brett) creates between his persona, the "handyman" and the vicar are staggering! Pop it into your VCR, light your pipe, and whisk yourself straight back into Victorian England and the wonderful world of Mr. Sherlock Holmes!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The woman, June 20, 2001

By 

"avrilyn" (Rohan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is probably the best adaptation of Doyle's famous story ever. I liked the story, but I never understood why it was so popular. After seeing this video, however, the book leapt out at me. Brett is now my most favorite actor ever. He plays a wonderful Holmes. He dons 2 disguises in this episode; the famous preacher role is positively spectacular! You really get the feeling that Holmes got a kick out of playing the old clergyman. At the end, his obvious disdain of the King is revealed by this disguised slight, "Yes, she is definately not not on your level." The wit of this movie is only a foreshadowing of the rest of the series. Only watch them if you are prepared to be hooked!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little boring, but entertaining, March 15, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a great Jeremy Brett where a woman outsmarts Sherlock Holmes! It's very funny infact this is one of the first Jeremy Brett's and it is great!