Rating: 
Summary: Not perfect, but not an embarrassment, either...
Review: "The Last Vampyre" is one of the more misunderstood entries in the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes collection.Often villified by fans of the Granada series, I think that such complete criticism is a bit unfair. Looking over the installment, one cannot help but admire the production values throughout, which are excellent. The supporting cast is well chosen and delivers, as do Brett and Hardwicke. The location settings are perfect for the tale, and the cinematography is absolutely first-class. So, why does this episode fail to please the audience? Perhaps it is all of the padding inserted into the original story, which takes us far afield from Doyle. Pointless sexual antics, vampirism, local politics, etc., intrude upon what could have been a top-notch entry, in an attempt to extend the episode to movie-length. The real pity is that all of the padding has relegated this installment to the dustbin for most fans. However, if one could excise about twenty minutes from the production, it would play much better. I think such judicious re-editing would raise the episode to at least acceptable standards on a par with other, at least average, episodes in the Granada series. The unfortunate thing is that the padding does serve to set the mood for the mystery, and would therefore be all but impossible to remove completely while at the same time leaving intact any semblence of a cohesive story. Perhaps it is all a matter of taste. I liked enough of the episode to enjoy it despite its problems, and in many ways it was probably as good as (or no worse than), "The Master Blackmailer". That installment has severe weak points as well, including the lack of any true Holmsian deductions. It leaves the viewer wanting in places, too, just as "The Last Vampyre" does. I would submit that the production values alone make the installment worth a screening, but we have Brett and Hardwicke on top of that. Take these factors, combined with the interesting and creepy character of Stockton (as played by Roy Marsden), and I don't see how the episode can be written off so casually. While "The Last Vampyre" can be disappointing when compared to the glory days of the Granada series, it is also not the abject failure that some viewers have claimed.
Rating: 
Summary: Despite solid production, LAST VAMPYRE lacks bite.
Review: Based on the short story, "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire," SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE LAST VAMPYRE, proves to a lesser entry in the now classic Jeremy Brett series. Set in a small English country village, Holmes and Dr. Watson must investigate the mysterious deaths surrounding a rather dour man named Stockton, while dealing with the paranoia engendered by the deaths. As usual, Brett is solid as Holmes, but he lacks his usual dynamic energy due to the fact that he was ailing during the filming of this episode. Edward Hardwicke is on the top of his game as the trusty Watson. Unfortunately, despite the top-notch production values, much of the episode seems overlong as the short story is padded out to feature length with motivations that are never completely explained. While the Granada TV series still entertains, THE LAST VAMPYRE has to be regarded as a less-than-satisfactory entry. Recommended for Holmes fans only.
Rating:
Summary: Despite solid production, LAST VAMPYRE lacks bite.
Review: Based on the short story, "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire," SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE LAST VAMPYRE, proves to a lesser entry in the now classic Jeremy Brett series. Set in a small English country village, Holmes and Dr. Watson must investigate the mysterious deaths surrounding a rather dour man named Stockton, while dealing with the paranoia engendered by the deaths. As usual, Brett is solid as Holmes, but he lacks his usual dynamic energy due to the fact that he was ailing during the filming of this episode. Edward Hardwicke is on the top of his game as the trusty Watson. Unfortunately, despite the top-notch production values, much of the episode seems overlong as the short story is padded out to feature length with motivations that are never completely explained. While the Granada TV series still entertains, THE LAST VAMPYRE has to be regarded as a less-than-satisfactory entry. Recommended for Holmes fans only.
Rating:
Summary: Despite solid production, LAST VAMPYRE lacks bite.
Review: Based on the short story, "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire," SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE LAST VAMPYRE, proves to a lesser entry in the now classic Jeremy Brett series. Set in a small English country village, Holmes and Dr. Watson must investigate the mysterious deaths surrounding a rather dour man named Stockton, while dealing with the paranoia engendered by the deaths. As usual, Brett is solid as Holmes, but he lacks his usual dynamic energy due to the fact that he was ailing during the filming of this episode. Edward Hardwicke is on the top of his game as the trusty Watson. Unfortunately, despite the top-notch production values, much of the episode seems overlong as the short story is padded out to feature length with motivations that are never completely explained. While the Granada TV series still entertains, THE LAST VAMPYRE has to be regarded as a less-than-satisfactory entry. Recommended for Holmes fans only.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not the story, it's the woe Brett has been subjected to
Review: I adore Jeremy Brett's skills as an actor. However, ten years after the fantastic Granada series debued, Brett was a remarkably ill man. He was in the midst of a nervous breakdown after the death of his wife, and it is obvious in his face during the mosntrous two hours. I care not a wick for the story, I simply could not tear my eyes off of Brett's stricken and woebegone face. He looked so tired, so utterly tired of the role he has played for a decade. It was indeed cruel to have him come back into this role at that point in his life. He is so talented, so brilliant in his works of the past. I cannot stress that enough. Watch this movie and tell me he is not a suffering man! God rest his soul, we all miss this actor of unmistakeable calibur. I shall miss you, Mr. Brett.
Rating:
Summary: It's not the story, it's the woe Brett has been subjected to
Review: I adore Jeremy Brett's skills as an actor. However, ten years after the fantastic Granada series debued, Brett was a remarkably ill man. He was in the midst of a nervous breakdown after the death of his wife, and it is obvious in his face during the mosntrous two hours. I care not a wick for the story, I simply could not tear my eyes off of Brett's stricken and woebegone face. He looked so tired, so utterly tired of the role he has played for a decade. It was indeed cruel to have him come back into this role at that point in his life. He is so talented, so brilliant in his works of the past. I cannot stress that enough. Watch this movie and tell me he is not a suffering man! God rest his soul, we all miss this actor of unmistakeable calibur. I shall miss you, Mr. Brett.
Rating:
Summary: A weak episode of a great series.
Review: I love this series. I mean I really, really do. For me Jeremy Brett will always be Sherlock Holmes. However you can't hit a home run every time and this (Like the original Doyle story) is not the best episode of the series. Part of the problem is there really isn't a crime in the story, or at least until 3/4 of the way into it. It's almost like a soap opera with Holmes wandering around with not much to do as this dysfunctional family comes apart. Holmes and Watson are for the most part observers through the whole thing with not much for them to except ask people if they believe in Vampires. We definately don't see Holmes doing what he does best and that's making deductions and solving a problem. The problem isn't as much Brett or the people who made this episode. This simply isn't one of Doyle's best stories. They do a good job of sticking close to the original story which is probably the problem. If you love the series then you're going to pick up this episode anyway. If your not familiar with the series just be aware there are better episodes. Fantastic ones in fact. If you're new to the series and just want to pick up an episode to see what it's all about, try some of the DVDs from the first season or Hound of the Baskervilles. Save this one for later but don't see it as your introduction to the series.
Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent Horror at its Finest
Review: I think this is one of the best Jeremy Brett-era Sherlock Holmes productions. Although Holmes is largely able to explain away the mystery, the question of the supernatural remains just a tad unsettled. Intelligently done from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: Who's Responsible For This Horror?
Review: I'll begin by saying that Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes remains my favorite and the adaptions for Britain's Granada TV have been for the most part excellent. How then to explain this horror? I refer not to the alleged Vampyre but this
adaption of "The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire". A fairly simple tale padded out with excess baggage and a few stone weight of pretentiousness (why "vampyre" when "vampire" was good enough for Doyle) to produce a complete bore (and I'm being kind). The only horror here is watching a cast of fine actors struggle through this dreck. Brett at the time of this filming was already an ill man and it was cruel to subject him to this below average production. Whoever is responsible for this over all mess
deserves to be set out on the Grimpen Mire with the Baskerville Hound about 4 paces behind.
Rating:
Summary: a godd video to sink your teeth into!
Review: I'm a staunch admirer of Sherlock Holmes Mysteries. Having said that, this was the first 'modern' adaptation of one of his stories that I had viewed. Jeremy Brett makes a wonderful Holmes. Roy Marsden shows his versatility as the 'Vampire'and is so different from his famous portrayal as Adam Dalgliesh. Lots of bearing of teeth and untimely deaths are found in this period costumed, beautifully produced show. It contains all the elements of fear, horror, and of course the unknown as the vampire weaves his spell upone the women in the show. On with the show! A good value buy and I recommend it for a good evenings entertainment.
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