Product Details

• Actors: Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, Colin Jeavons
• 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: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302678803
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,226 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A bit low on funds, Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) has to take a scaled-back holiday in the English countryside, where he meets the charming Lady Frances (a nice performance by Cheryl Campbell) and then worries after she vanishes from sight. As in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes puts Watson on the case and instructs him from afar (then, of course, criticizes him for committing every "possible blunder"). The kidnapping suspect is a notorious con man and thief, but even knowing that doesn't tell Holmes (who arrives in time to save Watson from probable murder by a mysterious, bearded man) what he and the good doctor urgently need to know: Where is the missing Lady Frances? The suspense is strong and the acting superb in this excellent installment from Granada Television's long-running Sherlock Holmes series. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Case Involving an Intriguing Lady!!, April 20, 2005

By 

Stephen Pletko "Uncle Stevie" (London, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes - The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax [VHS] (VHS Tape)

+++++

This movie is based on the story "The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax" (1911) written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 to 1930).

Sherlock (Jeremy Brett) reads letters sent to him by the vacationing Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke). In these letters, Watson is especially intrigued by the antics of Lady Frances Carfax (Cheryl Campbell) who is vacationing at the same place he is.

There are three things in particular found in these letters:

(1) A wheelchair bound major (Julian Curry) saves a drowning Lady Frances. Afterwards she is "resentful of her rescue."
(2) An "unknown horseman" (Jack Klaff) appears and his appearance is upsetting to Lady Frances.
(3) Lady Frances' prominent brother (Michael Jayston) visits her. A loud argument ensues between sister and brother.

Sherlock from Watson's letters alone suspects something is going on. He decides to go to the place Watson is vacationing. When he arrives, it is discovered that Lady Frances has disappeared.

Brett (as usual) does a good job of capturing the essence of the famous gumshoe in his performance. Curry and especially Campbell also give good performances.

Finally, the costumes, background music, and cinematography are quite well done.

In conclusion, this is a good movie to watch even if you have read the story it's based on!!

(1991; 50 min; British drama; made for TV; full screen)

+++++

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a favorite, February 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes - The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this video based on the reviews of others, but I found it to be my least favorite of the Holmes mysteries. Holmes and Watson almost missed the boat (a usual excitement build up) but with a result I found hard to take. The original character of Lady Frances Carfax - independent, eccentric - was charming and well acted. However, the episode left me with a negative rather than positive feeling. I think it is one of the darker plots.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing adaptation of a classic Holmes story, June 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes - The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The original short story upon which this episode is based falls rather flat compared to this adaptation. I would suggest that the scenes with Jeremy Brett contemplating Watson's reports from a holiday, amidst swirling pipe smoke and chess figurines, are worth the price of the video alone. This is my favorite episode from the series!