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The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 1 - The Empty House & The Abbey Grange

The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 1 - The Empty House & The Abbey Grange

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Oversentimental.
Review: Hardwicke is a good Watson at best just like David Burke. The former waxes sentimental and sometimes achieves depth; the latter plays dumb and sometimes achieves loyalty. This is one of Hardwicke's more vulgar performances, and one of Brett's too. (And his little speech about Moran at the end is full of gay affectations.)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes
Review: I am once again transfixed on my television and I have gleefully tossed out all my home tapes of the PBS series - they were horrible quality. What can I say...like a kid in a candy store..which episode do I watch next...were all life's problems so easy to deal with... I have most all of the old B&W ones in various 'collections' but...to me...there has been no Holmes like Mr. Brett. I would definitely recommend any and all of these episodes to EVERYONE!! A true 'must see'. Superb! I have them all up to date as far as I know but I am hoping for more releases.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes
Review: I am once again transfixed on my television and I have gleefully tossed out all my home tapes of the PBS series - they were horrible quality. What can I say...like a kid in a candy store..which episode do I watch next...were all life's problems so easy to deal with... I have most all of the old B&W ones in various 'collections' but...to me...there has been no Holmes like Mr. Brett. I would definitely recommend any and all of these episodes to EVERYONE!! A true 'must see'. Superb! I have them all up to date as far as I know but I am hoping for more releases.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Return of Sherlock Holmes
Review: I love this episode. Not only does it bring Holmes back from the dead, it also brings into the series Edward Hardwicke who is my favorite Watson. I love the scene where Holmes shows up in Watson's consulting room. The scene was so very well done. It was emotional without being sappy which was how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle always did it. As usual Jeremy Brett's acting was fantastic. I would highly recommend this episode.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He's back!!!
Review: It must be appreciated by fans purchased videotapes of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes that a viewer of from L.A. mentioned the former viewer's review. The Empty House is so excellent as a view from L.A. explained and there is no space to add in it. By the way, it well be a joyment for people intend purchasing this videotape to find out Holmes in the court. If you recognize Holmes disguising himself as a book seller in the court at a glance, you must be one of great detectives.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It's a touching tale of the reuniting of two friends
Review: Please ignore the "oversentimental" review below. It is totally erroneous. It could only be agreed upon if you are a disgruntled Rathbone fan, angry that Brett has replaced Basil on the pedastal.

This was a wondeful episode. Hardwicke has replaced David Burke, and, though Burke was wonderful, I must hold that Hardwicke is the best Watson ever. The pair makes very believable friends. We first see Brett as the book seller (which is hilarious, I might add. He was obviously enjoying his role). His return scene is perfect, not overdone or underdone. Watson is shocked and pleased, and Holmes is glad to be back. He tells how he was never in the ravine, etc, etc. The next notable part is the capture of Moran. When Scotland Yard comes, Holmes yells at his atatcker! Watch for this: when one of the men tries to quiet Holmes after his tirade, he snarls! Truly snarls! Wonderful.

The final scene, which I will call "Back at Baker Street" was excellent. The real life Brett/Hardwicke frienship shines through their dialogue, and Mrs. Hudson is basking in her glory. It can only be described as classic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Like the Terminator, he is back!
Review: Please ignore the "oversentimental" review below. It is totally erroneous. It could only be agreed upon if you are a disgruntled Rathbone fan, angry that Brett has replaced Basil on the pedastal.

This was a wondeful episode. Hardwicke has replaced David Burke, and, though Burke was wonderful, I must hold that Hardwicke is the best Watson ever. The pair makes very believable friends. We first see Brett as the book seller (which is hilarious, I might add. He was obviously enjoying his role). His return scene is perfect, not overdone or underdone. Watson is shocked and pleased, and Holmes is glad to be back. He tells how he was never in the ravine, etc, etc. The next notable part is the capture of Moran. When Scotland Yard comes, Holmes yells at his atatcker! Watch for this: when one of the men tries to quiet Holmes after his tirade, he snarls! Truly snarls! Wonderful.

The final scene, which I will call "Back at Baker Street" was excellent. The real life Brett/Hardwicke frienship shines through their dialogue, and Mrs. Hudson is basking in her glory. It can only be described as classic.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent adaptation, true to Doyle's story
Review: Please ignore the review by the ignoramus above. The dialogue between Holmes and Moran in THE EMPTY HOUSE is a faithful transcription of what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually wrote. The first three years of this series produced some outstanding episodes and THE EMPTY HOUSE is one of the best. It's beautifully directed and well written. Edward Hardwicke is excellent as the new Watson and Jeremy Brett is fascinating to watch, and even more fascinating to listen to. There is an amusing pastiche sequence at the start which takes place in the coroner's court. It nicely rounds out this story without padding it. The supporting players, particularly the excellent Colin Jeavons and Rosalie Williams, work well as an ensemble. You will want to watch this directly after viewing THE FINAL PROBLEM, another terrific episode; the two should really be sold as a set!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: It's a touching tale of the reuniting of two friends
Review: The tale of how two best friends, parted forever by death, comes to VHS. The movie startes out as Watson remembers his dearest friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes. As Watson walks down Baker Street to 221B, brought tears to my eyes as he explains how much he misses Holmes. The case of the young Ronald Adair, is what brings Holmes from France. He did not die but just disapeared. He visits Watson at his consulting room, using his amazing disguises. Holmes and Watson travel to the 'Empty House' and waylay a vilian set out to kill Holmes. The old Hound is out of practice, but me is able to keep the assain busy until Scotland Yard comes. The reuniting of Holmes, Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and, of course, good old Inspectjor Lestrade is funny and yet touching. The detective, Sherlock Holmes is free to devote his life to solving the interesting problems of cat and mouse once more.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent DVD
Review: These two stories may not be as involved as some contemporary mysteries involving modern forensics, but Holmes' use of rational deduction and the forensics of his time (late 19th Century) is grand. If you are a true mystery fan, this is the place to begin--and return to again. Conan Doyle was a superb story teller.

The first story involves Holmes reappearance following his reported death at the hand of his arch enemy. Conan Doyle "killed" his dectective because he was tired of writing Holmes serials for the newspaper, but Holmes fans were so outraged and heartbroken the author was forced to resurrect him.

This volume marks Holmes "return" following the notorious "fall" in the Alps only to find himself pursued by a crony of his dead arch enemy (Professor Moriarity). The second tale involves the death of the owner of the Abbey Grange--who did it? Was it his Australian wife, her nanny, or the three villans the wife says hit her and tied her to a chair. Holmes is back in fine form and the "game's afoot" he tells Watson. The film includes the live depiction of illustrations from the Sherlock Holmes books we read as kids.

The DVD version of these two Sherlock Holmes tales is excellent. I love the reenactment of past times where every detail is faithfully depicted down to the steam from the locomotive engines and being able to see the detail with clarity is a pleasure.


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