Product Details

• Actors: Jeremy Brett
• 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: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301611721
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #295,596 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. John Watson (Edward Hardwicke) are brought to Hurlstone Manor by Reginald Musgrave (Michael Culver) to look into the disappearance of his butler, Brunton (James Hazeldine). Various clues (a crumpled piece of paper, a brass key, a peg of wood with string attached) suggest that Brunton's disappearance is somehow related to the "Musgrave ritual," an arcane practice compelling young Musgrave family members to recite an odd riddle that might have to do with buried treasure. Holmes's methodical approach to the problem is a lot of fun, and Brett and Hardwicke seem to be having a particularly good time outdoors, pursuing the solution under a bit of sunshine. Jeremy Paul, who adapted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story for this teledrama, won an Edgar Award for his script. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative Interpretation of Doyle & Holmes, October 13, 1999

By 

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

This review is from: The Return of Sherlock Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This episode is a gem! Reflecting all the superb production values that Grenada infuses into this series, it also elevates them into high art as they dovetail with this installment. Again, the script is ever so faithful to Conan Doyle and there is no finer interpreter of Sherlock Holmes than the late Jeremy Brett. The Musgrave Ritual being an ancient recitation passed from generation to generation, has lost all significance to the Musgrave survivor(outside of being a rite-of-passage ritual wheeled out when necessary) until Brunton the butler grasps its significance! What a co-incidence Brunton sallies forth the very moment Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson pay a visit to Holmes' old college chum, Musgrave! And what happens next is a puzzling chain of disappearances, and the discovery of the long-forgotten meaning behind the words of The Musgrave Ritual. A meaning that culminates in a grand blend of triginometry, fishing poles, oak trees, Map deciphering and Sherlock Holmes' uncanny mind-meld into the previous night's activities and motives which brings forth even more startling answers from the incredible amateur detective! We also get a peek at the Master's tussle with that ghastly "7% solution" and Watson's dismay at its presence (Edward Hardwick again becoming a flawless Dr. Watson). Patrick Gowers' music haunts the scenery and Arthurian legend permeates every aspect of this grand, grand, wonderful Victorian baffler. All hail Jeremy Brett! All hail Sherlock Holmes!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of atmosphere and style; absolutely superb., April 5, 1999

By 

Dr. Lyndon Smith (England.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Return of Sherlock Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This production is an inspired and highly entertaining adaptation of Conan-Doyle's story - 'The Musgrave Ritual'. Granada Television made the excellent choice of Baddesley Clinton as a filming location; and Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are as brilliant as usual. This episode is in fact hard to fault in any way; the performances and photography are excellent. Brett's interpretation of the role is intelligent, dynamic, and artistically creative. The Musgrave Ritual is a good story which has been stylishly produced and adapted in a manner which is sympathetic to the spirit of the original story. Full of yearning Victorian nostalgia for the late Tudor period, all in all it makes one wish to visit an English country estate - hugely entertaining! - Lyndon Smith.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love it, March 19, 2004

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Return of Sherlock Holmes: The Musgrave Ritual [VHS] (VHS Tape)

When Sherlock Holmes drops in on an old school chum, Reginald Musgrave, he finds his visit anything but boring. When the butler disappears and the maid has an unexplained nervous breakdown, Holmes begins to investigate. The Musgrave family has been unwittingly keeping a secret for hundreds of years, and it lies at the very heart of this mystery!

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! This fifty-minute episode, the Musgrave Ritual, was episode three of the third season, and originally aired on July 23, 1986. (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

I loved this tape and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too. My family and I highly recommend it to you!