Rating: 
Summary: pretty good
Review: I found this one to be surprisingly good. I wasn't sure what to expect after having read mixed reviews, but I enjoyed it. It did get off to a slow start, but after about 20 minutes it became pretty good. Most of the pastiche scenes work fairly well in the film and do not seem like padding. The writing isn't quite as strong as in the earlier episodes, but it isn't awful either and there are enough cool scenes in the film that make it well worth watching in spite of anything that may be lacking in the writing. Also, Jeremy Brett was good in this film. He wasn't as spectacular as in the earlier episodes but he was still very good and if you have enjoyed his performances in other episodes, you will not be disappointed with him here. And, as another reviewer pointed out, Holmes does not fall in love in this film. I suppose that it could be interpreted that way, but I did not feel that Holmes was in love with Milverton's housemaid in this movie no more than I felt that he was in love with her in the short story. Overall, this is a pretty good film and if you have enjoyed other episodes in this series, then I would highly recommend seeing this one as well.
Rating:
Summary: Not a mystery, a drama (and a good one)
Review: If you go into this movie expecting to see Holmes fall in love, or to see a deep and profound mystery slowly unravel, you will be disappointed. If, however, you watch with an open mind something that strays far from the usual clues-deduction-resolution-story, you might find that you enjoy this immensely -- as I did. What it does offer in terms of plot is a coherent, wholly believable story that smacks of reality much more strongly than Holmes' usual, more flamboyant exploits. There are ethical issues that arise, centering not only around a flawed and hypocritical society, but around the actions of Holmes himself. He commits several illegal acts and at least one immoral one; it is interesting to see him struggle with his choices, trying to justify them and, in the end, failing (at least in his own eyes, as guilt prompts him to censor Watson's writing). Milverton is played superbly -- he is a wonderful character to hate. Watson's role is minimal, but his verbal echoing of Holmes' conscience is important. As for Holmes -- people have mixed feelings about his seduction of the maid. Personally, I think this episode offers wonderful insight into his character. He does not fall in love; what he does do is confront the immorality of his own actions and the innocence of the girl whose naive affection for him is something he simply is not prepared to deal with. Holmes is a cold man; the implication in this film is that his childhood was equally cold and lacking human affection (listen to the conversation he shares with Watson outside Milverton's house). There is a reason the maid affects him so much. And a good part of it is his conscience -- which becomes evident if you listen closely to what prompts his emotional reaction to her ("Are you a burglar?" Yes, you are Holmes. Yes, you're using her for information. And she just offered to marry you. Don't you feel like a bastard?) I would not recommend this as a starting point for viewers new to the series. While it is a good movie in its own right, it depends on characters that have been developed over many hours in other episodes; Holmes' and Watson's behavior have more meaning when viewed with prior knowledge of their characters. Absent from the end is a humorous scene with Lestrade -- a pity, because Holmes-Lestrade interactions are always entertaining. By the end, however, the film has set such a dramatic and melancholy tone that humor seems not to fit, so perhaps it is for the best. If you enjoyed other Holmes episodes with Brett, you will probably enjoy this one. It is the best of the feature films, and one of my favorite episodes.
Rating:
Summary: Not a mystery, a drama (and a good one)
Review: If you go into this movie expecting to see Holmes fall in love, or to see a deep and profound mystery slowly unravel, you will be disappointed. If, however, you watch with an open mind something that strays far from the usual clues-deduction-resolution-story, you might find that you enjoy this immensely -- as I did. What it does offer in terms of plot is a coherent, wholly believable story that smacks of reality much more strongly than Holmes' usual, more flamboyant exploits. There are ethical issues that arise, centering not only around a flawed and hypocritical society, but around the actions of Holmes himself. He commits several illegal acts and at least one immoral one; it is interesting to see him struggle with his choices, trying to justify them and, in the end, failing (at least in his own eyes, as guilt prompts him to censor Watson's writing). Milverton is played superbly -- he is a wonderful character to hate. Watson's role is minimal, but his verbal echoing of Holmes' conscience is important. As for Holmes -- people have mixed feelings about his seduction of the maid. Personally, I think this episode offers wonderful insight into his character. He does not fall in love; what he does do is confront the immorality of his own actions and the innocence of the girl whose naive affection for him is something he simply is not prepared to deal with. Holmes is a cold man; the implication in this film is that his childhood was equally cold and lacking human affection (listen to the conversation he shares with Watson outside Milverton's house). There is a reason the maid affects him so much. And a good part of it is his conscience -- which becomes evident if you listen closely to what prompts his emotional reaction to her ("Are you a burglar?" Yes, you are Holmes. Yes, you're using her for information. And she just offered to marry you. Don't you feel like a bastard?) I would not recommend this as a starting point for viewers new to the series. While it is a good movie in its own right, it depends on characters that have been developed over many hours in other episodes; Holmes' and Watson's behavior have more meaning when viewed with prior knowledge of their characters. Absent from the end is a humorous scene with Lestrade -- a pity, because Holmes-Lestrade interactions are always entertaining. By the end, however, the film has set such a dramatic and melancholy tone that humor seems not to fit, so perhaps it is for the best. If you enjoyed other Holmes episodes with Brett, you will probably enjoy this one. It is the best of the feature films, and one of my favorite episodes.
Rating: 
Summary: I love Jeremy Brett!
Review: Okay, maybe I'm partial because of my deep and undying love for Jeremy Brett, but I love every video in this series. This one is a little skimpy on Brett-time, and it's not clear who some of the characters are. I think this comes from extending one of the shortest stories in the Canon into a two-hour movie. But if you want to see Holmes as a weepin', kissin' fool, this is the film for you. This is one of the only episodes where Holmes shows anything approaching deep emotion, and I love it just for that. And Jeremy Brett. (Yeah, I know he's dead. If I ever learn how to revive people...never mind.)
Rating: 
Summary: A Travesty
Review: One of the finest Sherlock Holmes short stories, "Charles Augustus Milverton" showcases Holmes and Watson at their very best: brave, dashing, and humorous. This Granada adaptation manages to throw out every feature that makes the story great, padding it out with unconvincing background detail and, in one particularly dreadful episode, suggesting that Holmes has actually fallen in love. Designed to give Jeremy Brett an actor's holiday, this little scene is an index to everything that went wrong with this series in its later years -- sentimental, unnecessary, and ludicrously untrue to Conan Doyle.
Rating: 
Summary: Frustrated Holmes, NOT In Love
Review: Originally I wanted this movie because there was all this implication that Holmes falls in love! I wanted to see what kind of woman -- her looks, her personality, her wit, her history -- that the great and powerful Sherlock Holmes would fall for, finally. ("The fairer sex" is Dr. Watson's department!) Throughout the entire movie I'm trying to figure out which one of three women Holmes was supposed to be "in love" with. By the end, I'm entirely aggravated by this misinformation. Holmes does NOT, I repeat NOT fall in love with anyone in this movie! Frankly, I was relieved because Holmes, after all, is in love with himself and his ability to solve any crime that comes his way. He has no time for women. Enough about that. The Master Blackmailer: He's maddening and exceptionally greedy, demonstrated quite well especially in the scene when he is invited by Holmes to one of his current victim's pre-wedding dance. Holmes is quite frustrated by the blackmailer, so much so that he does resort to not one but a duet of crimes with his now-accomplice, Watson. Watson, incidentally, is a bit tired in this movie, hum-drum, not quite as colorful as his usual character. One does forgive both for their crimes due to the vileness of the Master Blackmailer. The blackmailing: The first blackmail scene is unclear and only partially clears at the end. The second and only excellent and believable blackmailing results in an ugly tragedy that could very well happen today. The main blackmail scene is a little weak, even put into a Victorian England perspective. Watch it because Jeremy Brett does a fine job, because the ending is for ethicists, and because Holmes does NOT fall in love.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Holmes film
Review: Outside of The Eligible Bachelor, The Master Blackmailer (TMB) is the 2nd best of the Holmes films from Granada. Taut and suspenseful, and one of the best played villians since Eric Porter's Moriarty. While it is primarily more of a caper like than detective outing in this one, it nevertheless has more action and even a love sequence of sorts involving Brett and a housemaid. Again, not the best place to start with Brett's Holmes series, but it is certainly one of the most cherished of episodes and entertaining one. Catch this one.
Rating:
Summary: A good one, not liked for some reason
Review: There is nothing wrong with this one. It is much better than lots of them. For some reason lots of peple don't like it. Jeremy Brett is perfect in this one. Even of his illness he was perfect for therole. He acted fine even though he was ill. The actor who played Watson is even good! This film is good. There is nothing wrong with it!
Rating:
Summary: Hmm.
Review: This film was made around the start of this great series' rapid decline. It would have made a cracker of a good one-part episode, but somebody got the bright idea of dragging it out to two and filling it with unnecessary things. Most of the actual story is here, though the last humorous dialogue between Holmes and Lestrade(read the story "Charles Augustus Milverton") is curiously absent. Arty and enjoyable, if a bit much.
Rating:
Summary: Very underrated
Review: This late-era Jeremy Brett is typical of the period; there is a certain style to these later episodes that is quite appeaing. Those who only know the earlier episodes will probably find them unrecogniseable. "Master Blackmailer" is directed very stylishly. Even though this can be pretentious (like in "The Eligible Bachelor"), in this case I like it. I like the oipening scene where the butler rescues the compromising lketter from the fire (to give it to the master blackmailer of the title). At first all you can see is the butler's employer, with what looks like his shadow behind him. After a few moments you realise that it isn't his shadow - it is the shadow of his butler, projecvted somehow behind him. When the letter is thrown into the fire the shadow seems to reach towards it; a reference to Nosferatu.
This shot can mean many things. Perhaps it means the butler is so close to him that he is barely noticed - that he is invisible (because discreet). Or the shadow could represent the Count's unconscious - he secretly WANTS the letter to be found. I like the actor who played Milverton too. His mannerisms are very much my image of the fellow from the short story.
Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are very impressive here. The episode as a whole is surprisingly close to the original story, despite its odd style and length. The final confrontation between the Countess and Milverton is played out exactly according to the description in the book - movemewnt for movement, word for word - and it's very dramatic indeed! This program has been underrated, and ought to have a much better reputation. Certainly the good reviews given to its two companion pieces - The Last Vampyre and The Eligible Bachelor - are less deserving! The Eligible Bachelor, especially, I don't like - I think it is pretentious and silly, though I understand what it is trying to say.
The Master Blackmailer is one of the best Holmes episodes of the Jeremy Brett series, and is definitely worth seeing.
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