This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

An Exercise In Nonsense

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This adaptation of the most famous fictional detective - Sherlock Holmes - succeeds in being the first authentic series that is accurately based upon the Holmes character, Watson's character and the stories themselves.However, it is well documented that this series wasn't without its problems behind the scenes. The leading actor from the 1964/65 series - Douglas Wilmer - recalled in a recent interview before his passing, that he took it upon himself to re-write all the dialogue from every script. The reason for this, was because the official writers hadn't bothered to consult the original stories whilst writing the scripts.Angry with the writers of the series and perhaps with some justification, Douglas Wilmer believed here was a golden opportunity in making an authentic Sherlock Holmes television series.The BBC didn't react very well to what the actor did and so, he was labelled a "troublemaker."The atmosphere during the making of the series was rather fraught with tension.I am delighted though, in that the existing black and white episodes offer moments of TV joy. All of them work tremendously well, in spite of the modest production values. Upon discovering that rehearsal time was being reduced from once every 14 days to once every 10 days, Douglas Wilmer announced his decision to leave the series.I found that to be a great shame as he easily ranks as being one of the definitive interpretations of Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone is still my favourite). I own the black and white series on DVD and it's a welcome release.When the series returned in 1968 and in colour, 16 further episodes were commissioned for production.Nigel Stock as Dr. Watson returned and was joined by Peter Cushing who assumed the role of the Baker Street sleuth. The latter made for a very effective Holmes - albeit a totally different one to that of his predecessor. Peter Cushing never was very keen on watching himself as Holmes, as he felt the lack of rehearsal time hampered his chance of creating a properly studied performance. He does do very well though.

"Footprints? A man's, or a woman's?" "They were the footprints, Mr Holmes, of a gigantic hound!"I think we saw this adaptation before reading the book, so we were really in suspense. It is faithful to the original, but a bit rushed. I was always sad that Dr Mortimer disappeared from the story - has the DVD version been cut at all? Laura Lyons is excellent, and cutting HER from the story is always a mistake. Another question: was "Miss Stapleton" dubbed? A shame, too, that we never see her being rescued. The BBC loved that sinking into a quagmire scene - they used it in Lorna Doone. In some inferior versions nobody even refers to the Great Grympen Mire!

The cases of the infamous Baker Street sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, and his loyal companion Dr Watson.A careful and occasionally engaging series, but despite stellar casts, the acting was at times variable and the direction often tended to be stagy in a stodgy theatrical way typical of BBC programmes at that time. Peter Cushing replaced Douglas Wilmer as Holmes in 1968 and he gave a cracking performance in Hammer's "The Hound Of The Baskervilles" (1959 - see my review), but occasionally his talents didn't quite shine here.I recently picked up the BBC's three DVD set entitled "The Sherlock Holmes Collection", featuring five episodes. My favourites are "The Blue Carbunkle" and "The Boscombe Valley Mystery". It is avaliable at £19.99 in good music and video stores.

The 2 part episode Hound of the Baskervilles from the BBC TV series originally shown on 07/14.07.68 is out on DVD and video, and upon watching proves to me my memory isn't failing ... yet. Although, I wouldn't have guessed it was in colour and is still as bright as a new penny, both in texture and production values (bearing in mind the financial pressures always on the BBC). Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock play their parts of Holmes and Watson in a convincing way, although Cushing reportedly didn't enjoy the experience of little rehearsal time available.The story should be familiar to most but this time it's closer to the book than the other film versions I've seen. Some 1960's stagey BBC acting from time to time and no money available for certain shots so a few ho hum short cuts to be sure, but still resulting a fine and satisfying TV programme. My daughter wasn't keen on the sudden ending but - they were Arty back then!Thank the Heavens they didn't wipe it!