The Return of Sherlock Holmes Collection

There is no doubt that this DVD collection is essential viewing for any Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. For me, like many people out there, Jeremy Brett and Sherlock Holmes have always been one. I first discovered the dark and dangerous world of Holmes and Watson as a child during the mid to late-eighties, when Brett and Hardwicke were brilliantly bringing to life the most famous duo in literary history on PBS. Then I did not see these programs for many years, but to have them come out on DVD is long overdue. Just hearing the haunting opening bars of the period music composed for this landmark series by Patrick Gowers was enough to put a mischievous smile on my face! This collection features many of the detective's greatest exploits, including "The Empty House," which features the emotional reunion of Holmes and Watson in 1894, and also one of my very favorite tales, "The Devil's Foot," which has one of the most intriguing plots in the Canon. The film sequence when Holmes and Watson experiment with the deadly African root powder is extraordinary, especially when Holmes wakes from his horrifying hallucination and cries out to his companion, "John!" As any Sherlockian knows, this line does not appear in the original story, but Brett says it with such conviction and emotion that it doesn't really matter. Nor can one forget Holmes' unforgettable encounter with Leon Sterndale: "How do you know that?" "I followed you." "I saw no one." "That is what you may expect to see when I follow you." Equally powerful is the touching scene when Holmes literally cracks open the case of the Six Napoleons in front of Watson and Inspector Lestrade. "Well," said Lestrade, "I've seen you handle a good many cases, Mr. Holmes, but I don't know that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than that. We're not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No, sir, we are very proud of you, and if you come down to-morrow, there's not a man, from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who wouldn't be glad to shake you by the hand." "Thank you!" said Holmes. "Thank you!" and as he turned away, it seemed to me that he was more nearly moved by the softer human emotions than I had ever seen him." To watch Brett choke up during this scene is wonderful. These episodes remain quite faithful to the stories for the most part, but take a little artistic license at times, for instance in "Wisteria Lodge" and also the "Bruce-Partington Plans". The end of the atmospheric "Priory School" features a very dramatic scene which totally deviates from the original tale, but in fact may be an improvement! One of the extra features is a very enlightening commentary with director John Madden and John Stuart Davies about how they made "The Priory School." The interview with Edward Hardwicke on disc 1 is also fascinating. As a whole, these are the finest and most satisfying film versions of the Canon ever produced or ever likely to be. If you read the original stories as you watch these episodes, as I have done, you'll discover much of the dialogue is taken straight from the horse's mouth! (Sorry about the pun, but I just watched "Silver Blaze"!) So do yourself a huge favor, and get this set today. These dvds will offer countless hours of enjoyment and inspired deduction. The game is afoot!

Grenada Television's second installment of hour-long Sherlock Holmes mysteries, featuring the incomparable Jeremy Brett as the fictional master sleuth and Edward Hardwicke as Dr. Watson, is available in "The Return of Sherlock Holmes DVD Collection." The eleven episodes in "The Return" are actually drawn from all over the Sherlock Holmes canon. The adaptation to film from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories is generally excellent. The episodes feature superb period details and location shooting around England. Among the highlights in this collection: "The Empty House" in which Holmes returns from the seeming dead to shock the good Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson and to collar an old enemy using a unique weapon of assassination; "The Musgrave Ritual" in which Holmes and Watson investigate a modern murder with an ancient twist; and "The Priory School" in which the disappearence of a wealthy young heir leads to a nobleman's secrets. Jeremy Brett, who suffered from illness in later installments of this series, is at the top of his very considerable form as Sherlock Holmes. He captures all the quirks of the original, including his taster for theatricality and his baiting of Scotland Yard Inspector Lestrade, forever left in Holmes' investigative wake. Edward Hardwicke is a capable counterpart as an eager Watson, less brillant but with people skills Holmes lacks. Brett and Hardwicke truly capture the unique chemistry of the energetic and brillant but mercurial Holmes and the solid and patient Watson. Special kudos are due Rosalie Williams, the long-suffering Mrs. Hudson, landlady of 221B Baker Street throughout the series, who gets a prominent role in "The Empty House." This installment in the Grenada Television Sherlock Holmes series is very highly recommended to fans of Sherlock Holmes, who will find these one hour episodes to be highly entertaining and enjoyable.

Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwick come together as Holmes & Watson in some of the greatest adaptations of these great stories ever. Both actors are at the top of their game. My only criticism is that unlike some of the more recent releases, this DVD edition appears to have been taken straight from the video. The screen is very dark and grainy, making it look like it was taped off the TV rather than remastered for digital. I've seen some of the more recent DVD releases including the "Casebook" and the crisp images are far better than these. That said, the price on the "Return" DVD is low and who knows how long it will take them to come out with a new remastered edition. I would also hope for more commentary on the next edition. Extras including Vincent Price's excellent introductions for the "Mystery" series would be great. Holmes without Price isn't quite the same.

Thank you Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke for bringing us this wonderful collection of episodes. The scripts are riveting, the sets so authentic as to make one think that they were actually filmed in the 1890s, and the acting superb. Previously, in "The Final Problem" episode, Holmes is seen falling off a cliff to his "death" as witnessed by Watson. In "The Return of Sherlock Holmes", Holmes suddenly reappears at 221B Baker St. in disguise, to the shock and delight of Watson. He explains his 3 year hiatus and the danger now facing him as he once again enlists the aid of his long time friend and ally, Dr. Watson. This is a great collection of episodes with Brett as the quintessential Holmes. The game is afoot!

The episodes are as I remember them from TV. Cinematography, costumes and set design are above average for the time. The actors and their characters are likeable. The more recent reincarnations of Sherlock Holmes stories are more dramatic and dazzling, but also take more liberties with the interpretation. It is nice to have a choice.

I love the DVD’s,they arrived really fast. The only problem was the plastic container for the DVD’s was broken but that’s not a big problem.Thank you. I’m a big fan of Sherlock.

The set was sent quickly and when I received it, it was much better than advertised.

Arrived on time, case in very good condition as advertised, region 1 discs work, and episodes are great to watch! Thank you!