6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A collection of superior performances., November 20, 2001
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes: Bruce Partington Plan [VHS] (VHS Tape)
I'd seen some episodes of Granada's Sherlock Holmes series years ago, on Mystery! or A&E, but had almost forgetten all about it when I came across a copy of The Bruce-Partington Plans in a local store. Watching it made me very keenly regret not having taped the series back when it was regularly aired.
Jeremy Brett, though aging and with a not-very-flattering haircut here, carries the show. There's a longstanding dispute over who is the better Holmes, Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett. Personally, my vote is entirely with Brett--his Holmes is brilliant and eccentric, and not always an entirely sympathetic character, just as the Holmes of the original stories was. He's moody, self-superior, and full of dramatic gestures sometimes at the expense of others, not much like Rathbone's much smoother and calmer portrayal, and though it makes him harder to like, it makes him worlds more interesting a character.
Charles Gray as Mycroft very nearly steals a few scenes from Brett. They play off each other with marvelously entertaining results, right from Mycroft's entrance into the episode ("Sherlock!" "MY-croft!").
Kudos go as well to Edward Hardwicke, who plays a solid and dependable Watson, frequently several steps behind Holmes but, for once, not portrayed as a total idiot to further glorify Holmes' intellect, as frequently happens in other portrayals.
The episode stays very close to the original story, with whole blocks of dialogue used nearly verbatim. The careful period detail makes everything that much more believable, and fascinating to look at if you have an interest in the Victorian period. I'm a big fan of Patrick Gowers' musical compositions, which are judiciously used throughout the series, as well.
Jeremy Brett is one of those people who I would cheerfully pay to hear read the phone book; he has a wonderfully dramatic voice, rising and falling from a gentle murmur to a commanding shout and through a whole range of moods and tones between. He really does capture Holmes' genius beautifully, and the Bruce-Partington Plans is a solid story in its own right, intellectually engaging and wholly believable.
Some favorite moments:
Holmes waxing passionate over Mycroft's unusual visit, and pretty much any interaction between the two of them.
Holmes' vaguely superior reaction to being mistaken for a mortician--so much conveyed just by looking aside and leaving Watson to clear up the mistake.
Harassing the longsuffering Mrs. Hudson while trying to spread out the city map--he's really awful, and it gets me giggling every time. In a similar vein, his sudden snort of mirth and abrupt, excessively cheerful departure, leaving Watson bemused in his wake.
Convincing Watson to come house-breaking ("We're BOUND to go.") and Watson reluctantly caving in--AGAIN.
And Watson being the one to pick up on a clue that Holmes nearly dismisses. He even has the grace not to gloat. :)
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It all hinges on a fascinating detail...., May 28, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Sherlock Holmes: Bruce Partington Plan [VHS] (VHS Tape)
A great mystery, involving trains and the agony column of the newspaper. Another fine performance from Brett in his prime. One of my favorites of this series.
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