Customer Reviews

Sherlock Holmes: Six Napoleons [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay...the only thing I can say is that Jeremy Brett is absolutely The One and Only Sherlock Holmes; no one else comes close to the mastery with which he plays this role.

This particular episode completely blew me away-- I agree that "Watson, this is no time for humbugs!" and the "This is clearly the work of red anarchists" are two of the many hilarious lines.

In addition to the humour, however, this episode's crowning glory is the much praised Last Scene, in which Jeremy Brett totally melts your heart with his Look. This scene makes it completely clear that Brett understands the character of Holmes perfectly! He brings an added depth of unexpected emotion to the role, which is wonderful. We don't usually get to see Holmes in a state of extreme emotion, making the end of this eisode even more of a pleasant surprise.

WOW! I'd watch this over and over, and so should you!

Although many of the episodes in the series are fantastic, this one is, by far, my very favorite.

I have a number of episodes on VHS and I always look forward to this one above all others. Let me tell you why.....

But first, a synopsis:

Lesrade brings to Holmes' and Watson's attention, a case he is working on because he knows of Holmes' appreciation of any case that is strange or unusual ... Another true Sherlock Holmes trait: We may see something, but we do not observe it.

Though probably the most wonderful moment is at the very end, when Lestrade congratulates Holmes. We see a rare level of seriousness in Lestrade and an even rarer level of emotion from Holmes, who also reveals a mutual respect for the Scotland Yard Inspector.

I feel that this episode truly encapsulates Holmes' style of investigation, as well as the personalities of the main characters.
Of course, the actors and actresses are completely believable in their respective roles, the sets are marvellous and the score could not be better. If anyone is a fan of a fantastic mystery that one can really get one's teeth into, then I could recommend nothing better than The Six Napoleons.

It is a true classic among classics!!!

There is no way to describe the satisfaction of watching something crafted and molded by people who dearly love what they're doing -- just watch this installment and you'll know what I mean. What is the connection between a Mafia don, his daughter, her brother, a knife-fight with the chattering madman, Beppo, outside a plaster bust manufacturing facility and the subsequent serial destruction of six identical busts of the Emperor Napoleon? Scotland Yard is puzzled (surprise, surprise) and a wee bit amused, as postulated by Inspector Lestrade during an evening social visit to Holmes and Watson (Colin Jeavons returning with his superior ongoing performance as Lestrade). To Watson (again superbly played by Edward Hardwicke) it sounds psychological -- Idea Fixe! To Holmes, however, it is far more sinister . . . and so the game's afoot! What follows is one of the most unusual, intriguing, and fun adventures in all the Holmes saga. Look for an amusing performance from veteran actor Eric Sykes as a reporter who owns a bust and literally stumbles across a murder at his own doorstep -- and is too shaken to report about it to his newspaper; kudos to the performance of the shipping agent who confides to Holmes and Watson that the vandalism is the work of "red anarchists"; and enjoy watching Marina Sirtis show that her talent extends beyond the bridge of the USS Enterprise. It all culminates in a resolution so marvelous that both Watson and Lestrade are left slack-jawed and applauding (you will too). And in a touching moment, Lestrade and Holmes remark upon the attitudes between the official police force and one lone consulting detective - and herein watch the brilliance of Brett's performance: masterwork, sheer masterwork. So stop reading this and buy the video!

The Six Napoleons is one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's more entertaining tales. It's also one of the more popular tales in the Canon, topped only by The Hound of the Baskervilles. Here is a faithful and high-class adaptation of the story of a murderer on the loose in Victorian London, smashing busts of Napoleon with no apparent motive. The question is as always: Can Holmes solve the mystery and prevent another crime?

Quite frankly, I don't watch the Granada presentations of Doyle's stories for the story itself, though they are excellently told. I watch it mainly for the performance of Mr. Jeremy Brett, the man himself. The Six Napoleons showcases one of his more exhuberant performances as the Master. Brett has completely immersed himself into the character of Sherlock Holmes so deeply that it's impossible to tell where Holmes ends and Brett begins. Not to be left out, Watson, Lestrade & Co. provide a solid supporting cast, but it's Brett who we come to watch.

One scene which marks this episode and sets it apart from the rest in the series is the final scene which takes place in Holmes and Watson's sitting room. It provides the viewer a rare and personal glimpse into the man who is Sherlock Holmes. Those few captivating minutes are a fitting and memorable end to yet another wonderful hour with Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

Wow! Granada gets an A+ for this one! It is a wonderful mystery, and it is funny, though the humor doens't stick out; it just flows. The last scene is the best Sherlock scene of all time. The way Brett unveils the pearl (especially the tablecloth. Nice touch!), and explains the solution in typical Sherlock-dramatic style is fascinating. The scene where Lestrade praises Holmes is just awesome. (For those who haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil the end; be prepared for a Look that could melt hearts of stone.) As someone said below, Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. He can act circles around Basil Rathbone anyday. Also, Watson is excellent. Hardwicke is the perfect supporting role. He is not a bumbling bafoon either. What a relief! For those of you who are fans of the Granada series, or have never seen any before, this is one of, if not the best. If I could give it 10 stars, I would do so in a heartbeat. Arrivederci!

Oddly enough, The Six Napoleons has never really been one of my favourite Holmes stories, but this episode is one of the best of the great Granada series. Mainly, I think, because it's extremely funny, and not in an inappropriate way. My favourite scene is when Holmes and Watson scare Lestrade--they look like a couple of mischievous little boys, and it's a nice way of highlighting the friendship between the two men--but I also love "Watson, this is no time for humbugs!", Holmes gesturing at the lamppost to help Watson out, and many other moments. The supporting characters are also very funny, such as Horace Harker, and then the conclusion where Lestrade tells Holmes how proud Scotland Yard is of him is quite moving. This is a must-see, out of a series that produced many outstanding episodes.

Fairly good video version of one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories, with a particularly nice ending showing Holmes and Lestrade in a rare moment of rapport. The story, which features a very dramatic device that keeps the plot moving with some urgency, was imaginatively adapted into one of the best Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone, "The Pearl of Death."

I've seen a good many Brett tapes, and this is a distinct winner. There are some losers (e.g. 'The Naval Treaty') but that probably has to do with nature of the cases. 'The Six Napoleons' is a very famous case, and though they played with the dialogue and added a bunch of scenes, it works as art (unlike their version of 'The Dying Detective'. Ptui.) Of the one's I've seen (about 20) only 'The Dancing Men' comes close, but not too close to this wonderful recording.