Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended!
Review: The second MPI box set of the Granada Sherlock Holmes tv series is an improvement over the first set which collected The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes. Gone are the distorted soundtracks and video problems that were present on a few of the discs in that 5 disc set. The audio is fine on all of these discs. The video transfers are all somewhat soft and a little too dark in some episodes ('The Man With The Twisted Lip' and 'The Bruce Partington Plans' both have segments which are so dark that it's difficult to make out what is happening onscreen, for example) but there is none of the picture "wobbling" or excessive grain that was present in the previous set. It's good to see MPI using a dual layer presentation on disc 4 which contains 3 episodes. With the first set, a 2 sided disc was used to present 4 episodes (2 per single layer side) and one single layer disc had 3 episodes compressed onto it which compromised the audio and visual quality. Fortunately more care has been taken with this collection.As for the stories, the high standard set by the first series is maintained. The production values and scripts are all of the highest quality. The only downside is the awful short haircut that Jeremy Brett sports in four of the later episodes. Brett gave himself this haircut (he reportedly said that he felt like a change...but it may have been an act encouraged by the severe depression he was suffering at that time of his life), and it certainly doesn't suit the character or the period. It doesn't ruin the episodes by any means, but it is very distracting. The extra features are well worth a mention, especially the interview with Edward Hardwicke who played Watson from this series onwards. He shares some wonderful stories and trivia from his time with the Granada series and it's definitely worth watching. The booklet containing episode notes written by Richard Valley is also excellent. Rather than just writing a synopsis of each story, Valley has included behind the scenes notes and quotes from interviews previously published in his magazine, Scarlet Street. This is an essential purchase for fans of Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. It will also appeal to general viewers who appreciate period drama with excellent scripts, performances and production values.
Rating: 
Summary: Unexpected source of fun...
Review: These are outstanding videos... I echo the other reviews... but there is an unexpected source of entertainment here. I watch the episodes late at night, with the volume low and the English captions turned on. I find myself distracted by the ludicrous differences between the spoken dialog and the captions!
There are two or three mistakes per minute, as if the transcriber could not hear well, was utterly unfamiliar with educated Victorian figures of speech, AND knew English only as a second language. As a single instance, in "The Adventure of the Empty House" Dr. Watson compliments Mrs. Hudson, saying (sound track) "You are the heroine of the evening!" The caption below says "You are the heron of the evening." That's "heron" as in the long-legged waterfowl.
So, you see? The transcriber was hard of heron.
There are many of these errors, often very funny. Turn on the captions and have fun. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: excellent show, poor DVD
Review: This excellent TV show perfectly captures the mystery and excitement of Doyle's original short stories. The acting, dialogue, set and costume production are all of high quality and make for a completely believable experience. Brett is a singularly most delightful Holmes and Hardwicke admirably replaces Burke as Dr. Watson. The friendship between and adventures of the two characters are wonderfully brought to life.
Sadly, despite all the love I have for the show, the DVD set does not meet some standards you may expect. First, the quality of the digital transfer is terrible. Granada has said the film's original master was damaged in their vault, but I know badly encoded MPEG when I see it. Ghosting, muddled blacks, and that characteristic "blockiness" in regions of high movement. The audio also seems badly mixed at times, occasionally making the dialogue harder to understand. The second problem is the flimsy case holding all the DVDs. The very first time I opened it I was worried I might break it.
So how to rate this item when the content is excellent, but the vehicle so unfortunately poor? I love collecting well produced DVDs, but when it comes down to it, I'm there to enjoy the cinema. And with all the enjoyment this series brings, I must give this DVD the highest rating possible.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful adaptaion of Sherlock Holmes
Review: This latest release of the popular Granada series via MPI home video is even better than the last two collections in that there is now a commentary track from the original director. Picture and sound are fine, free of the warbling issue found in some of the earlier episodes. Contrary to a previous review, the episodes ARE subtitled, however they are done rather poorly, with misspellings and poor timing to the actual dialogue. Nevetheless, if you are a fan of this series, or just like quality television, Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Holmes is a joy to watch.
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous Collection
Review: What a great series this is! The only disappointment is that there are few extras on the DVD. Jeremy Brett continues (from the first boxed set and feature film boxed set) to be THE definitive - without a doubt - Sherlock Holmes. His mannerisms, dress, deportment, movements provide a complete picture of how Doyle's Holmes should look. This boxed set is a must have, especially for anyone who owns The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes boxed set. There are several reasons for this in addition to Brett's great portrayal. First, the Empty House is critical as a follow up to The Final Problem. Any true Holmes' fan has to admit to at least a little depression following the last tale in the "Adventures" series (i.e., the Final Problem). The Empty House returns Holmes in full glory and Holmes' story about the "missing" years is priceless. Second, the series shows Brett at his best, before the illness he suffered from reduced his health. Even in later series, Brett does a terrific job despite his health. But he appears here as a vibrant Holmes, a natural continuation of his portrayal form "Adventures." Third, Edward Hardwicke offers a different, more professional, version of Watson than did David Burke in the "Adventures." Actually, Burke was great in the first series and ideal as a younger Watson. In some respects that youthful exuberance is missed in the "Return" and it's a shame that Burke could not continue. But Hardwicke's characterization allows Watson to approach Holmes as an equal of sorts (not that Watson could ever equal Holmes) in that professionalism that his demeanor naturally gives to Watson. All in all a tremendous collection and as faithful to the stories as a television series could realistically be.
Rating:
Summary: Tremendous Collection
Review: What a great series this is! The only disappointment is that there are few extras on the DVD. Jeremy Brett continues (from the first boxed set and feature film boxed set) to be THE definitive - without a doubt - Sherlock Holmes. His mannerisms, dress, deportment, movements provide a complete picture of how Doyle's Holmes should look. This boxed set is a must have, especially for anyone who owns The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes boxed set. There are several reasons for this in addition to Brett's great portrayal. First, the Empty House is critical as a follow up to The Final Problem. Any true Holmes' fan has to admit to at least a little depression following the last tale in the "Adventures" series (i.e., the Final Problem). The Empty House returns Holmes in full glory and Holmes' story about the "missing" years is priceless. Second, the series shows Brett at his best, before the illness he suffered from reduced his health. Even in later series, Brett does a terrific job despite his health. But he appears here as a vibrant Holmes, a natural continuation of his portrayal form "Adventures." Third, Edward Hardwicke offers a different, more professional, version of Watson than did David Burke in the "Adventures." Actually, Burke was great in the first series and ideal as a younger Watson. In some respects that youthful exuberance is missed in the "Return" and it's a shame that Burke could not continue. But Hardwicke's characterization allows Watson to approach Holmes as an equal of sorts (not that Watson could ever equal Holmes) in that professionalism that his demeanor naturally gives to Watson. All in all a tremendous collection and as faithful to the stories as a television series could realistically be.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best!
Review: What can I say about this DVD? Holmes is brought back by Jeremy Brett. There is a different Watson but you could hardly tell the difference from David Burke and Edward Hardwicke. They both have their own version of Watson and do wonderfully in the part. But Jeremy Brett once again shines as Sherlock Holmes. I can never tire of watching these episodes or the previous ones. I cannot wait till the Memoirs and the Casebook comes out on DVD. We can further delve into the lives of Holmes and Watson as they set off to solve more mysterious. You get to see the sensitive side of Holmes as Inspector Lestrade tells him that everyone down at the yard are proud of him. You can almost see Holmes swallow the lump that formed in his throat. Of course that might just be my imagination. Whenever I watch these shows I get lost in the writing and acting. Once again Holmes and Watson are being played by actors I enjoy and respect. "Come, Watson. The game's afoot."
Rating:
Summary: Holmes! Watson! Magnificent!
Review: What can I say about this DVD? Holmes is brought back by Jeremy Brett. There is a different Watson but you could hardly tell the difference from David Burke and Edward Hardwicke. They both have their own version of Watson and do wonderfully in the part. But Jeremy Brett once again shines as Sherlock Holmes. I can never tire of watching these episodes or the previous ones. I cannot wait till the Memoirs and the Casebook comes out on DVD. We can further delve into the lives of Holmes and Watson as they set off to solve more mysterious. You get to see the sensitive side of Holmes as Inspector Lestrade tells him that everyone down at the yard are proud of him. You can almost see Holmes swallow the lump that formed in his throat. Of course that might just be my imagination. Whenever I watch these shows I get lost in the writing and acting. Once again Holmes and Watson are being played by actors I enjoy and respect. "Come, Watson. The game's afoot."
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best!
Review: What else is there to say, these series are masterpieces! The whole thing is superbly done.
Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are amazing. This set is a must have for any Holmes fan.
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