Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

the DVD is grainy, and the story does deviate from the text somewhat. The packaging is nicer than the one for the Richardson "Hound of the Baskervilles," but I would still say that the Granada version with Jeremy Brett is the better of the two.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SIGN OF FOUR was the 2nd of 2 films that Ian Richardson starred in as the Great Detective, after HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Once again, the production values, and Richardson's warm and impeccable performance carry this flick. Cheri Lunghi (Queen Guenevere in EXCALIBUR)is a winning and winsome damsel-in-distress and David Healy's Dr. Watson is a great improvement on his HOUND counterpart, being much more realistic in the role. Of course, there are a couple liberties taken with the original tale, and the culprits are revealed rather early in the film for my taste, but it doesn't get in the way of a solid and entertaining thriller. If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, I would definitely recommend this film.

Brilliant! Ian Richardson really does bring Holmes to life in this entertaining and clever adaption of 'The Sign of Four'. A brilliant story of pygmies, jewels and wooden legs, plus the usual amazing deductions made by Holmes with the help of Dr.Watson. Great viewing!

Of course it is always said but for the hundreth time: Ian Richardson is perhaps the best of all Holmses on screen. The film shows a very colourful and amazing version of the classic by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But no more talking - watch it. The game is afoot!

To me this is the best Holmes film ever, and the best Sherlock Holmes as well. Watson is good to. A pitty this series was not continued...

"Another monograph?" says Dr. John Watson (David Healy), as he walks into the smoke-filled parlor at 221B Baker Street where he shares quarters with Mr. Sherlock Holmes (Ian Richardson). "Yes," says Holmes, adjusting a long row of burning cigars. "This is on the distinction between the ashes of the various tobaccos. So far, I have enumerated 93 forms of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco." This monograph, long thought lost, is now assumed to have been suppressed by the major tobacco companies in Britain and the United States.

With The Sign of Four we will encounter one of Holmes' most dangerous and resourceful villains in a story which features a one-legged man; a prison treasure map; a box of diamonds, emeralds and pearls; an Andaman native named Tonga with an appetite for raw meat; the second largest known diamond in the world, named The Great Mogul; the Baker Street Irregulars and enough bestial murder, greed and revenge to curdle the blood of the most innocent of young Victorian ladies.

The Sign of Four is the tale of the one-legged Jonathan Small and three other prisoners held in the British military prison on the Andaman Islands. They know where a fortune in jewels is buried there. Small's trust in Major John Sholto, the commander of the prison, is sadly misplaced. They help Sholto and Captain David Morstan locate the jewels on the promise that the fortune will be shared when they are released. However, Sholto takes the jewels back to London. When later Morstan arrives for his share, Sholto kills him. Sholto on his deathbed six years later tells his two sons of the treasure and insists that to wipe away Sholto's guilt. Captain Morstan's daughter must have Morstan's share. When one of the sons anonymously sends The Grand Mogul to Miss Mary Morstan (Cherie Lunghi), a trail of death and horror begins to work its way towards her in the person of the now-released Jonathan Small. With the animal-like Tonga by his side, with thick fog swirling through London's gas-lit streets, Small intends to have his vengeance...and all of the jewels. Only Sherlock Holmes, with Watson by his side, stands between Small and the frightened but brave and lovely Mary Morstan.

Executive producer Sy Weintraub arrived in Britain with the idea of making a series of made-for-TV feature length stories with Ian Richardson as Holmes. He managed only two, and it's our loss. This and the first film, Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles, are given first-rate, exciting productions and good, tight scripts. A real pleasure in The Sign of Four is Holmes against a collection of side show freaks, including Holmes on a turning, ornate carousel trying to elude a poison-dart-puffing Tonga. Richardson is a fine and subtle actor who gives just a bit more warmth to Holmes than, say, Brett or Rathbone gave. I would be hard-pressed to say which I like best. Fortunately, it's possible to like all three.

"What a very attractive young woman," John Watson had said to Holmes as Miss Marston left their quarters after she met the two and pleaded for their help. He finds her so attractive that, in the fullness of time, she eventually will become Mrs. John Watson.

"Is she?" Holmes replied. "I didn't observe." We'll have to wait for Sherlock Holmes to encounter Miss Irene Adler for the next step in Holmes' personal development.

For fans of Sherlock Holmes, the two Richardson movies are well worth owning. The DVD itself doesn't meet current expectations of DVD sharpness, but it's easy to watch. There are no extras.

Of course the quality isn't amazing for this moving but that did not matter to me. I am a big Sherlock Holmes fan and thing this animated movie did an excellent job portraying the mystery. I only wish it was longer because I enjoyed it so much.

I don't know what these other reviewers are thinking of. I'm a fan of Ian Richardson but he's awful in this and this version of the story is likewise awful. Save your money because it'll be a waste if you buy this tape. I know, I know, you'd think he'd be great at this role but it's a big disappointment.