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
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303418481
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,957 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Another of the strongest entries in the long-running Sherlock Holmes Television series from Granada, The Speckled Band finds distraught Helen Stoner (Rosalyn Landor) coming to Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) in fear for her life since announcing her betrothal. The reason: Helen's sister Julia (Denise Armon) died mysteriously and in apparent terror in her bedroom two years earlier, on the night before her own wedding. The only clue to her death was Julia's strange reference to a "speckled band," uttered among her final words. Threatened to keep out of the case by Helen's fearsome stepfather (John Gill), Holmes and Watson proceed anyway, uncovering (in Watson's words) a "horrible and subtle crime" that is among author Arthur Conan Doyle's most imaginative. This episode has it all: a damsel in distress, a considerable villain, lots of suspense, and a solution worth waiting for. Brett and Burke are at the top of their game as Doyle's dynamic duo; this story was, in fact, Doyle's personal favorite from the Holmes canon. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Becomes A Legend Most? This Series!, October 13, 1999

By 

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

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

To me, it would seem like filming such an oft-read classic like this would be equal to trying to re-invent Santa Claus: How do you keep people from hating you? But Grenada proves up to the task and the result is marvelous! The atmosphere, terror, dark suspense and ultimate horror found in the Conan Doyle story fill each and every frame of this loving adaptation. The cast has captured their characters with amazing clarity and Brett continues to prove that he and only he was born to play Sherlock Holmes! I always wondered exactly what it would have been like to watch Holmes deal with a bent poker and this enactment satisfied and impressed me. "I really have some scruples about bringing you along tonight, Watson..." and rightfully so. Add this to your video collection!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "It is not cold which makes me shiver.", June 10, 2000

By 

"laddie5" - See all my reviews

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

Everyone's favorite Sherlock Holmes story (including Conan Doyle), here given a loving and utterly faithful rendition. The great conversation leading up to Watson's "we are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible crime" will send chills up your spine. One of the best of this memorable series.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent adaption of Conan Doyle's most thrilling tale, May 27, 2000

By 

"electraglide234" - See all my reviews

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

This is easily one of the better enteries in the Granada Sherlock Holmes series. It boasts excellent acting, a horrid villian, and ample suspense. This is generally faithful to the story and retains much of the dialogue, including Holmes's initial confrontation with the sinister Doctor Grimesby Roylott. Other highlights include the opening scene, the stakeout on the Roylott compound, and the shattering climax where Holmes and Watson discover the secret of their client's woes and of the truth behind "the speckled band."