Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes: Abbey Grange [VHS]

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Outstanding performances from all, terrific script and direction, and a wonderful opportunity to watch Sherlock Holmes deduce the mystery make THE ABBEY GRANGE one of my personal favorites in the series. We see many facets of Holmes' personality here, from the cold calculating machine to the warm and sympathetic friend. Jeremy Brett gives one of his best performances as Holmes and the other castmembers are also outstanding. It's a treat to see the shipping clerk who is also a fan of Doctor Watson's stories helping out with a clue, and even his shy wife is memorable. Watch for the 'trick shot' where you see what Holmes sees and Watson does not observe. Edward Hardwicke is a worthy successor to David Burke as Dr. Watson (I actually prefer his performances since it's obvious that he and Brett had great chemistry working together.) And speaking of chemistry, it's a real treat to see Holmes/Brett's reaction to a particularly grateful client who takes him by surprise. This is a wonderful show. If you want to introduce someone to Brett as Holmes, show them this episode. I did--I loaned this to my parents, old Rathbone fans, and they were instantly also fans of Jeremy Brett.

When Sherlock Holmes is summoned to investigate the murder of Sir Eustace Brackenstall, it appears to be an open-and-shut case of simple housebreaking gone wrong. However, when Holmes begins to look at all of the clues, his view of the case is turned upside down. He finds a cut bell-rope and a burnt dog-collar. The lady of the house is hiding something, but what?

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 Abbey Grange, was episode two of the third season, and originally aired on July 16, 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!