Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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!

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!

One of the few people who ever out-smarted Sherlock Holmes just happened to be a woman. That is why "A Scandal in Bohemia" works so well. Unless you are familiar with one of the most well-known and well-speculated Holmes stories, the ending will come as a surprise to you. I have not seen all the Granada episodes of Sherlock Holmes, but their first entry comes out of the gates at warp-speed. Highly recommend this to anyone.

The first episode of Granada's 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' broke the mould, with Jeremy Brett offering a highly original and brilliantly thought out portrayal of Holmes, sweeping away other interpretations in his wake. He brought a new and definitive idea of Holmes to the screen: his performance shows that Holmes has depths that cannot be fathomed, perhaps even by Brett himself. Watson was similarly reinvented by a splendid David Burke, later to be equally well played by Edward Hardwicke. Productions values were high, and supporting casts were always from the top drawer. It was a classic series, cut short by Brett's untimely death in 1995. This first episode amply reveals what made the project so special.

Two thumbs up this episode gets! This was one of the very few times that Sherlock Holmes gets out smarted...AND he's outsmarted by a woman. This woman earns the respect of Sherlock Holmes and I believe a piece of his heart. This cat & mouse game was a pleasure to watch.

Up until the advent of the Granada series, Brett was probably best known here in the US as Freddie in the movie version of "My Fair Lady".

While I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Basil Rathbone, and I liked Cushing's portrayal, Jeremy Brett has indeed created a whole new brand of Holmes. Mesmerizing, barely contained boundless energy and intensity, followed by moments of frustration, depression, bitterness and apathy; that is the Brett Holmes. Even in the very few installments that range far afield from the source material, Brett still carries the day.

This installment is one of the very best. It forshadows the style the show would use in later episodes, and the pattern of visual storytelling is refreshing.

Without the fine perfomances, this style could be a bit dull or long, but Brett and Company make the episode, and the entire series, effortless and a joy to watch.

The attention to period detail is a change of pace for those used to Rathbone. Everything is masterfully crafted, props, clothes, sets, everything.

Also of note, the episode does not shirk from the reality of Holmes' addiction, which is excised from so many other Holmes efforts. It gives the episode one of the most insightful and intense exchanges between Holmes and Watson, and is true to Doyle's creations. A bit of the curtain is pulled aside on the mystery of Holmes himself, and the inclusion of the scene does Granada much credit.

They don't get much better than this. A superb adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's story, with wonderful acting, stunning production values, and terrific direction. A gem.

Although it later declined into sentimentality and melodramatic excess, Jeremy Brett's interpretation of Sherlock Holmes was a revelation back in the '80s. This might be the best of his Granada series (tied with "The Speckled Band"). It's a solid, extremely well-acted version of the first and maybe greatest Sherlock Holmes short story -- crisp, witty, and entirely wonderful.

Perhaps I expect too much of the early stories, especially this one which ought to adapt well to film. But I thought it was quite frivolous. Also, the lighting was always off. Still, it was decent. See a different one e.g. 'The Dancing Men' which is balanced or 'The Six Napoleons' which is splendid or 'The Brue-Pardington Plans' which is quite solid, and you'll know why this is weak.