Rating: 
Summary: Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Review: The originals as aired on PBS "Mystery" were supurb, but the first episodes in this boxed set, the ones contained on the
double sided DVD, had an abysmal sound track. It sounded like a badly looped 16 mm sound film. I returned the set as defective, but the replacement was the same. I returned it for a refund. I then communicated with MPI Communications about this and found they were aware of the problem but had no idea of when a fix was due.
I will buy this set again if it ever gets remastered properly.
I hope they identify the remaster as such so we'll know it.
Rating: 
Summary: Definitive Holmes - Not definitive transfer
Review: As a HUGE fan of this latest Sherlock Holmes series, eagerly watching and taping each episode as it was released here in the states on PBS's wonderful Mystery series, I was delighted to see that the definitive Holmes was finally being released on DVD. This boxed set includes all of the first series climaxing with the superbly realised "The Final Problem." My only complaint with the set is that proper care was not taken with the actual transfers. My 10-year-old VHS tape of the "The Copper Beeches" has a better reproduction than this brand new DVD's bleached out version. In spite of that, I would have no problem recommending this set to anyone who wants to watch the greatest portrayal of the greatest detective in action.
Rating:
Summary: DVD quality could be better
Review: This is a wonderful series. It is too bad that the DVD quality does not rise to the occasion. As other reviewers have mentioned the video quality is far from state of the art and there are several seconds long dark gaps in some episodes. I was also surprised and disappointed that MPI Video would stoop so low as to use double-sided DVDs!
Rating: 
Summary: Give me more Sherlock! Please!
Review: Ooo, ooo, ooo, Jeremy Brett. I just can't get enough of him as Sherlock 'olmes! He's so fabulous to look at, such an interesting face, and the dialogue, and the gestures! But enough about him. I was afraid we wouldn't like this as well as, say, "Hound of the Baskervilles," because Edward Hardwick, who plays Watson after this first season of Holmes, does not play Watson in this set. David Burke is Watson. But you know what? He's just fabulous as Watson! In fact, I've deduced that they chose Edward Hardwick to play Watson based on David Burke! Anyway, not to fear, Burke is at least an equal to Hardwick. And Burke certainly holds his own next to Brett: Check out the scene in "The Solitary Cyclist" where Sherlock (Jeremy) is ostracizing Watson (David) for his inferior investigative skills...absolutely wonderful interaction between the two.This set is wonderful...we've only made it through Volume 1 so far, the first four one-hour shows. They're really fun, not as gruesome as some of the full-length features can get to be. These are, unbelievably, some of the Jeremy-Brett-as-Holmes we had not seen. We eagerly await the fast-approaching release of "Hound of the Baskervilles" on DVD, and advise you all to purchase same. (A little whining is in order: Such a pain, is it not, for all of us to have to pay again to replace our VHS with DVD.) But if you love this set, you also have to consider the following, all available on DVD: (1) "Death on the Nile" with Peter Ustinov (and don't be a David Suchet snob here...this one's really worth it). (2) "Classic Sherlock Holmes" with Basil Rathbone (Basil--that's more of an herb really, than a name...no, no, I mean, don't be a Jeremy Brett snob here, this one's worth it, too.) (3) "Dorothy Sayers Mysteries" (somewhat slow at first, but it really does grow on you!) (4) Any and all DVDs with David Suchet as Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot, particularly "Hercule Poirot's Christmas." Hope this helps get you started on Jeremy Brett and other British movies, particularly those who aren't into it already. It's bloody good entertainment!
Rating:
Summary: Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes
Review: I LOVED Basil Rathbone as Sherlock. Loved him. Considered him the DEFINITIVE Sherlock... until I saw Jeremy Brett. Everything that you associate with Sherlock Holmes, Brett embodies. Brett is to Sherlock Holmes as The Godfather is to gangster movies. Here is The Man, stepping out from The Strand periodical pieces and magically into your television. And the production of this series draws you into Victorian England like a search through an old attic trunk filled with daguerreotypes and bustles. If you haven't had the singular pleasure of seeing this terrific series, and haven't had the honor of an introduction to the incredible Mr. Brett, then do yourself a favor and get this set... its elementary.
Rating:
Summary: Brett WAS Holmes
Review: As there are already plenty of other reviews here detailing the specific episodes, let me just toss in my opinion along with the others that Jeremy Brett played the most authentic Sherlock I can imagine. His body, his voice, his mannerisms, his very BEING was true to the portrait of Holmes that Doyle wrote of. Even now, when I go to read the stories of Sherlock and Watson, Brett is easily pictured as Holmes--all the way down to his graceful fingers and small brief smiles. It was a tragedy to lose Brett, but we can be thankful that he was able to bring these classic mysteries to life before leaving us. Holmes wasn't the only character that was played so perfectly, the role of John Watson is also played quite well by David Burke throughout the "Adventures" section of the Holmes series. In the later sections ("Return", "Casebook", "Memoirs" and all the longer stand-alone movie-episodes) Edward Hardwicke took over as Watson. I am not sure why Hardwicke took over, but I must say of the two I do prefer Hardwicke's Watson over Burke's. In any case, for this "Adventures" DVD set, it is Burke's Watson that you will see, and he does do an admirable job that in no way detracts from the spirit of Watson. In one other area this entire series excells--the care taken with each and every episode. The people behind this series must have truly loved Doyle's Holmes. Every scene is done perfectly, from the idea of the locations to the photography to the scenery. The "mood" is set, and with Brett and Burke prowling the city and countryside, the stories of Sherlock Holmes come to life here like never before (and because of Brett's death, never again). If you love Holmes, you MUST see these! Addendum: I contacted MPI video (the releasers of the Granada TV's Holmes series on DVD) and the person who responded to my e-mail said that they WILL continue to release the next series of Holmes DVDs "next year". When next year, I don't know, but just thought I'd pass the word on to other fans that MPI is in fact going to release more Holmes DVDs.
Rating:
Summary: The best Holmes and Watson portrayals.
Review: Personally, I can't take seriously the old Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies -- although Rathbone was a competent Holmes -- because Nigel Bruce played Dr. Watson as a buffoon. In the books, Watson was an educated, intelligent man and a staunch friend and companion to Holmes. The fact that Holmes' intellect thoroughly surpassed the intelligent, educated Watson served to indicate Holmes' genius. In my opinion, it is essential for Watson to be portrayed correctly for a Sherlock Holmes adventure to be correctly done. In this set of adventures David Burke played Watson to perfection -- the best portrayal of Watson ever done, in my opinion -- and thereby enhanced Jeremy Brett's reputation as an outstanding Holmes. This is a truly outstanding collection of the adventures of Holmes and Watson in all regards.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Holmes
Review: Since Hollywood first began filming Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, each generation probably has their favorite actors playing Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. However, there is no better Holmes than Jeremy Brett and this set proves it. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and its successor The Return of Sherlock Holmes may be the finest versions of Doyle's stories ever put on film coupled with the finest Holmes ever. This set of stories shows Brett at his finest, before an illness began to slowly take away his strength. Brett looks like the Holmes I've always imagined - tall, intense, driven by his passion. Don't sell David Burke short as Dr. Watson, either. Of the two Watsons in this series, Burke always seemed more authentic than Edward Hardwicke in the later series. He didn't create a weak character but he was definitely a bit more likeable than Hardwicke's interpretation (Hardwicke is good too and actually seems to fit better in later episodes). That comes in part because Burke's version allows the viewer to better identify with Watson, in effect allowing Watson to take the place of the viewer. The sets are true to the stories and Brett's mannerisms as Holmes allow him to become the character perfectly. This set is terrific with some of the best Holmes stories. I have only two problems with this set: the breaks between scenes are abrupt(probably where commercials were inserted?) and it ends with The Final Problem without giving us the glory of Holmes resurrected. Hopefully, the next set will come out on DVD soon to rectify that problem. Personal favorites in this set: The Red Headed League, The Blue Carbuncle, and the Naval Treaty. Not to mislead - the other stories are done well, too and create a great atmosphere. A Scandal in Bohemia has many excellent aspects - Holmes' various disguises and the apparent "defeat" of the great detective by "the woman." This set belongs next to your copy of the complete Sherlock Holmes stories.
Rating:
Summary: Elementary dear people
Review: I think that Jeremy Brett is the quintessential and only Sherlock Holmes. It is worth every penny and there is nothing better than a gray rainy afternoon, a soft chair, and a cup of your favorite hot beverage while you watch a Holmes marathon.
I hope they comeout with more from the series - in particular - Hound of the Baskervilles.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect part 1 of the Sherlock Holmes (Brett) compendium
Review: I remember with fondness the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes series when it was first broadcast and it has always stuck in my mind.
I was amazed to find that the collection could be found in the USA (why havent they released this in the UK?) and so I have ordered the first complete series on DVD and haven't stopped watching them.... They are as good as I remember.
Brett plays the perfect Holmes - mesmerising in his adaptation... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MPI can you release the other box sets on DVD soon!!
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