Rating: 
Summary: A Dog
Review: A true disappointment, since Jeremy Brett was at one time an arresting and original Sherlock Holmes. But this episode signaled that something had gone terribly wrong with this series: its a miserably acted and directed charade that captures nothing of the novel's drama and suspense. And Brett, in the first throes of the heart disease that would eventually kill him, looks dreadful and is almost inaudible. Put this thing side-by-side with the wonderful "Hound" of 1939 (with its stylish recreation of the Victorian era) and you'll see how superior Basil Rathbone was -- dynamic, glamorous, and almost gleefully self-assured.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing But A HoundDog?
Review: Actor Jeremy Brett performs an outstanding Sherlock Holmes, though absent for a good portion of the tale, in the televised adaptation of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, arguably Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular of the Holmes novels. A brilliantly Gothic setting, along with the intrigue of family secrets, elevate this HOUND to a better-than-average televised outing for the seminal detective. And the beast? The Hound itself is well worth the price of this tale that twists and turns to one gripping (and slightly bloody) climax. It's elementary!
Rating: 
Summary: Great for family viewing - a fine version
Review: Agreeably haunting rendition of Conan Doyle's classic, with Jeremy Brett the definitive Sherlock Holmes. I and my family find this a fine version. Some of the quibbles on this review page seem not to see the forest for the trees, i.e., that even if Jeremy Brett was ill while making this version, it is far and away the very best one made. This is also a fun tape to watch with your children. Mine find Sherlock Holmes' eccentric mannerisms and rushing about funny and intriguing, while the hound is agreeably scary without ever being too frightening. The total lack of expletives make for another reason why this is high-quality family viewing. Most of us discover Sherlock Holmes when we are young; these tapes, this series are great for that.
Rating:
Summary: Basil Rathwho????
Review: Apparently when writing his review laddie5 is unaware of Jeremy Brett's heart condition that affected his performance slightly in his later performances as the world's greatest "unofficial" Detective. Quite honestly, I think Jeremy Brett's later performances as Holmes were among his best. Even up to the end. Everybody considers Basil Rathbone to be the definitive Holmes, which I think is utter nonsense. Most of the later movies with Rathbone as Holmes don't even take place in Victorian England but have Holmes in current settings (well current in 1940) which I think is because they couldn't afford the Victorian backdrops and all that. Jeremy Brett not only looks the way Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the character, but performs the part with all of Holmes's quirks and short comings. Such as his cocaine and morphine addictions (that's right, Holmes was an addict).This version of "The Hound of the Baskerville" follows Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's version very closely and is among the best productions of his the author's most famous stories. Watson takes center stage in this story as he tries to uncover the Baskerville curse of a demonic hound that haunts the moors. Edward Hardwicke is probably one of the best screen Watson's to date. Much like his predecessor in the Granada series David Burke (who did a great job as Watson), he plays Watson as the intelligent man of medicine that Conan Doyle wrote in his books and not the hamfisted bungler that has smeared the character since Nigel Bruce played the character. Hopefully, future productions of Holmes will continue this tradition with Watson's character. The production itself is very well done and atmospheric. A really fine cast (those of you who can remember will recognize the actor from "The Bounder")and a brilliant performance by Jeremy Brett which does not lack in the least bit. If you are to buy any copy of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" make this your first. The definitive production starring the definitive Sherlock Holmes
Rating:
Summary: Basil Rathwho????
Review: Apparently when writing his review laddie5 is unaware of Jeremy Brett's heart condition that affected his performance slightly in his later performances as the world's greatest "unofficial" Detective. Quite honestly, I think Jeremy Brett's later performances as Holmes were among his best. Even up to the end. Everybody considers Basil Rathbone to be the definitive Holmes, which I think is utter nonsense. Most of the later movies with Rathbone as Holmes don't even take place in Victorian England but have Holmes in current settings (well current in 1940) which I think is because they couldn't afford the Victorian backdrops and all that. Jeremy Brett not only looks the way Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the character, but performs the part with all of Holmes's quirks and short comings. Such as his cocaine and morphine addictions (that's right, Holmes was an addict). This version of "The Hound of the Baskerville" follows Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's version very closely and is among the best productions of his the author's most famous stories. Watson takes center stage in this story as he tries to uncover the Baskerville curse of a demonic hound that haunts the moors. Edward Hardwicke is probably one of the best screen Watson's to date. Much like his predecessor in the Granada series David Burke (who did a great job as Watson), he plays Watson as the intelligent man of medicine that Conan Doyle wrote in his books and not the hamfisted bungler that has smeared the character since Nigel Bruce played the character. Hopefully, future productions of Holmes will continue this tradition with Watson's character. The production itself is very well done and atmospheric. A really fine cast (those of you who can remember will recognize the actor from "The Bounder")and a brilliant performance by Jeremy Brett which does not lack in the least bit. If you are to buy any copy of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" make this your first. The definitive production starring the definitive Sherlock Holmes
Rating:
Summary: The ONLY Hound of the Baskervilles to watch!
Review: I have now seen several productions of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles', including the Basil Rathbone and Hammer versions, but of all that I have seen this is the definitive production. I agree that the Hound doesn't look very 'spooky' or 'Ghostly', but let's face it, it is just a dog and not a ghost (obviously! ) so it would have been a bit silly to fall into the trap of making it look like a ghost (like so many other films have), only for Holmes to reveal at the end that it wasn't. In fact I think that this just goes to improve the 'realism' of the story, and along with the usually excellent performance from Jeremy Brett as Holmes, this video is an absolute must.
Rating:
Summary: Haunting
Review: I hope this is the full-length version that begins with the well-polished coffee pot. The best-known Holmes novel is gamely tackled here, with first-rate filmmaking, acting, and effects.
Rating: 
Summary: A faithful, if not too suspenseful, adaptation of the story.
Review: I wish to add one remark to that of "Great Expectations": Holmes is in a fedora in HOUND because that is the way Sidney Paget drew him in the STRAND MAGAZINE. The Granada series was the first time anyone portrayed Holmes as he was written and illustrated. The art direction, music, and photography in this HOUND are up to the usual high standards of this series. Unfortunately, little else is. I can't believe how little suspense there is--in a story that is chock full of it. The editing is at best leisurely and the special effects can only be described as very weak. The Hound is obviously papier mache. They did better in THE COPPER BEECHES--why didn't they try harder here? Poor Jeremy Brett is obviously ill, though not as ill as he appeared in some later episodes. His appearance suffers and this is distracting; but I was still able to appreciate the fine scene at the beginning with the coffee pot. In short, this is a faithful, if plodding, HOUND. But not a very scary one.
Rating:
Summary: A faithful, if not too suspenseful, adaptation of the story.
Review: I wish to add one remark to that of "Great Expectations": Holmes is in a fedora in HOUND because that is the way Sidney Paget drew him in the STRAND MAGAZINE. The Granada series was the first time anyone portrayed Holmes as he was written and illustrated. The art direction, music, and photography in this HOUND are up to the usual high standards of this series. Unfortunately, little else is. I can't believe how little suspense there is--in a story that is chock full of it. The editing is at best leisurely and the special effects can only be described as very weak. The Hound is obviously papier mache. They did better in THE COPPER BEECHES--why didn't they try harder here? Poor Jeremy Brett is obviously ill, though not as ill as he appeared in some later episodes. His appearance suffers and this is distracting; but I was still able to appreciate the fine scene at the beginning with the coffee pot. In short, this is a faithful, if plodding, HOUND. But not a very scary one.
Rating:
Summary: This Hound Isn't Housebroken...
Review: In all honesty, I think this is easily the saddest installment of the Brett Holmes films, with the possible exception of "The Master Blackmailer." Obviously in poor health, Brett apparently had no energy or enthusiasm to devote to this, arguably the most famous Holmes story in the canon. Fortunately, Holmes is not present throughout the bulk of the story, giving Brett some measure of rest before he makes his presence known at Baskerville Hall. While not quite an embarrassment, the balance of the film seems strangely lifeless. I think a good deal of this is from a poor use of soundtracking, with minimal music throughout, in combination with the obviously struggling Brett. Working through the initial scenes with none of the energy alvailable to him in the 1984-5 series, Brett tries and can therefore be forgiven, but it sets the tone for the lethargic production and magnifies the poorer elements. There are also many truncated, condensed, or missing scenes (such as the famous assassination attempt, or the cab driver identifying the fare who had the black beard). We are very lucky to have Edward Hardwicke following the example of David Burke, dispelling the comical versions of the Watson character we've all seen in the past. With the possible exception of Neil Duncan, who seems a bit young for the role of Dr. Mortimer, the supporting cast is top-notch. Devotees of the series will certainly be a bit disappointed, as we are all used to the frenetic energy Brett displayed as Holmes in the earlier efforts. But for those not yet accquainted with the earlier work, this feature may serve as a good introduction to the Brett/Hardwicke interpretation of Homes/Watson.
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