The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes Collection

by Mpi Home Video

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Sales Rank:6848 (lower is better)
Price as of:01/06/2009 2:19:49 PM MST
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Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
Release Date:2004-09-28
Label:Mpi Home Video
UPC:030306717890
Binding:DVD
Published By:Mpi Home Video
ASIN:B0002HODE0
Category:DVD

Actors and Actresses

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Description

The celebrated duo of Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are back as the masterful Sherlock Holmes and his faithful cohort Dr. Watson. Based on the original stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, THE CASEBOOK OF SHERLOCK HOLMES features six tales of mystery, deduction and suspense. Join the famous sleuth and the good doctor on yet another round of adventures. Quick, the game's afoot!

Includes:
Disc 1 Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax The Problem of Thor Bridge Disc 2 The Boscombe Valley Mystery The Illustrious Client Disc 3 Shouscombe Old Place The Creeping Man Bonus Features: Commentary Track with Director John Madden (Shakespeare In Love, Captain Corelli's Mandolin) 1980?? Interview with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke Sherlock Museum Short Production Notes

Amazon.com

The six episodes of The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes continue Granda Television's excellent series starring Jeremy Brett as as the ideal incarnation of Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional hero, while Edward Hardwicke brings stellar support as the courageous, good-hearted Dr. Watson. The suspense is strong and the acting superb in The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax. Watson is taking a holiday in the English countryside, where he meets the charming Lady Frances and then worries after she vanishes from sight. As in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Holmes puts Watson on the case and instructs him from afar. In The Problem of Thor Bridge, Holmes is approached by an American senator (Daniel Massey, Brett's one-time, real-life brother-in-law) to clear the name of a governess in his employ, the lady having been accused of murdering the senator's wife on his estate and leaving her body on Thor Bridge. The solution is among the most complex and satisfying of the Great Detective's career.

Watson's proclivities toward gambling on horses open the door to the sprawling mystery The Shoscombe Old Place, which finds a famous playboy and equestrian, Sir Robert Norberton (Robin Ellis), in multiple jeopardy. In Boscombe Valley Mystery, Holmes and Watson are brought into an investigation of the murder of a farmer, whose body is found in the woods adjoining land owned by a wealthy property magnate. Holmes's investigation pulls the search in a wide direction, but the revelations are no less ghastly.

In the next story, based on one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's personal favorites from his Holmes canon, Sir James Damery approaches Holmes with a special request from an "illustrious client" (read: King Edward) to intercede in the marriage of an Austrian nobleman who almost certainly murdered his first wife. When Holmes is himself the object of a murderous attack; an outraged Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) has to channel his thoughts of revenge into a bit of undercover work on behalf of the detective.

Finally, Holmes and Watson tackle one of their strangest cases in The Creeping Man, which borders on science fiction. The Great Detective meets an eminent, aging physiologist who has been behaving oddly of late, but the greater mystery concerns who or what may be behind the nocturnal appearances of an ape-like figure that moves rapidly through trees, terrifying the locals. Holmes's pursuit of the solution leads to a stunning revelation in this taut and imaginative thriller that Edgar Allen Poe himself might have appreciated. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Six Cases from the Casebook.... - Reviewed on 2008-03-27
* * * * *
1 customer found this review helpful.

"The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes" is the third installment of Grenada Television's one hour episodes featuring Jeremy Brett as the superlative master sleuth and Edward Hardwicke as his faithful and patient collaborator Dr. Watson. This DVD set features six episodes, adapted for television from the originals scattered across Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories.

"The Disappearence of Lady Frances Carfax" actually comes from the "His Last Bow" collection and centers on the mysterious disappearance of a gentlewoman from a lakeside resort. Dr. Watson carries much of the load in this case for a mostly off-screen Sherlock Holmes. "The Problem of Thor Bridge", "The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place", and "The Illustrious Client", all from "The Casebook", are classic and fairly straightforward cases of detection in the best Holmes tradition. "The Boscombe Valley Mystery", from "The Adventures", concerns a murder perhaps motivated by the mysterious past of two men in Australia. "The Creeping Man", also from "The Casebook", may be the most unique story of this series. Holmes investigates the strange case of a mysterious simian creature menacing the inhabitants of a country home. As presented, it is something more of a horror story than a straight-up tale of detection.

Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are old hands at their increasingly nuanced partnership as Holmes and Watson by this series. As the stories bring out, Holmes depends on having an audience in Watson and ocassionally imposes on that long-suffering and loyal gentleman. The disease that would ultimately take Jeremy Brett's life has by this series made him look increasingly haggard and begun to erode his screen time and energy. Fans can rest assured, however, that Brett's characterization of Holmes continues to be absolutely first-rate.

This DVD collection is very highly recommended to fans of the Grenada Television series on Sherlock Holmes.
Jeremy is the man. - Reviewed on 2008-03-05
* * * * *

You wont find this review helpful beyond its vote in support of the best Sherlock Holmes ever, Jeremy Brett. I very highly recommend this and all of the other sets starring Mr. Brett as Holmes.
Simply Wonderful! - Reviewed on 2008-02-21
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I remember watching Jeremy Brett's interpretation of Holmes after having grown up with Basil Rathbone's performances from the 30's. There is simply no comparison. Brett IS Holmes. I stumbled on these DVD sets and purchased the whole lot. This is one in a series of compilations of the original BBC broadcasts. I would highly recommend them to anyone who likes intelligent dialog and witty reparte' between characters. The productions are excellent and are highly evocative of the period in history. A must have for Holme's fans or anyone mildly curious about the great character.
Long live Jeremy Brett - Reviewed on 2007-12-17
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Jeremy Brett is the best Holmes hands down. I Highly recommend this one to fans of Holmes and fans of the genre.
Brilliant, my dear Brett! - Reviewed on 2007-10-26
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Without any doubt, Jeremy Brett brilliantly captured the essence of Sherlock Holmes. The arrogance, the sly humor, the over-the-top outlandish mannersims and reactions (that enigmatic quick smile) were perfect. I love Basil Rathbone's Holmes, especially since many portraits favor him; however, Brett's performances are par excellence...there has been none better and I would imagine no one will ever be able to top it.

Not only is his Holmes perfect, Hardwicke as Watson and Charles Gray as Mycroft are also brilliant. If I could rate Brett as 10 stars, I would. If you like Sherlock Holmes and have never seen Brett's portrayal, you are in for a fantastic treat!
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