Rating: 
Summary: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Vol 2.
Review: As a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, and Jeremy Brett I was delighted to see the release of the first series on DVD by MPI.The overall quality of the DVD's has been good, the standard of the picture is high, and the sound quality is acceptable.The second DVD in the series is an improvement on the first, however the quality of the sound could be improved, as bad lip synchronization is distracting, particularly in the Speckled band.I have already placed an order for the 3 vol in the series, and I look forward to the future release of the second series.
Rating: 
Summary: Superb Sherlockiana
Review: Being a big fan of British television in general, the fact that I had never seen an episode of this series was remedied when I purchased the first disc. The four episodes on it made their way onto my screen in less than 2 days so enthralled was I in the acting and production values. The second disc, although it has only two episodes, is still highly recommended. The first episode, The Crooked Man, features Norman Jones (who Doctor Who fans will recognize for his role in The Masque of Mandragora) as a soldier wronged in the past in Afghanistan by his superior officer. Amazing how I watched this episode while news of impending conflict with that same nation appeared immenant. The second episode, The Speckled Band, held my interest more, if only for the wonderful location filming in one of those large houses of which there seem to be so many in the UK. Jeremy Kemp's wild-looking doctor had me enthralled. Calling Holmes an interfering busy-body, indeed! Jeremy Brett simply shines as Sherlock Holmes, always giving the impression that he knows far more than us mere mortals, including an almost constantly bemused David Burke as Dr. Watson. Here's to the next release! Hopefully MPI will eventually release them all...
Rating: 
Summary: Great Holmes, poor value
Review: Brett was the definitive Holmes, in my opinion, and the DVDs of his performances are essential to all Holmes fans. That said, these DVDs are lacking in any sort of special features and -- worst of all -- while there were four episodes included on the first volume, there are only two on the second volume - at virtually the same price as volume one. Booooooooo! Hiss!
Rating:
Summary: Jeremy Brett is the best Sherlock Holmes ever!
Review: I am happy to see that they are beginning to release the Grenada Television productions of Sherlock Holmes, on DVD. These are by far the most entertaining productions of Conan Doyle's creation. Jeremy Brett is outstanding in the role of the master sleuth. The attention to detail of the sets and costumes is superb. It really gives the viewer an inside look at what Victorian England must have been like. All in all, it is a first-rate production. I hope that they plan on releasing ALL of the remaining episodes very soon.
Rating:
Summary: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Vol. 2
Review: I remember fondly watching this series when it was aired on PBS some years ago. The quality of the production as well as the stories made me go and read all the Sherlock Holmes stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the episodes were faithful to the stories. Even the original illustrations from the Strand magazine (where the Sherlock Holmes stories first appeared) were apparently used in setting up scenes in the episodes. Since getting volumes 1 and 2 and eagerly awaiting volume 3, I've fallen in love with these excellent adaptations all over again. They get better with repeat viewings. You pick out little details you missed the first time. I recommend these to anyone who appreciates good mysteries first of all, and those who appreciate dramatizations that are faithful to the author's vision of the story and characters.
Rating:
Summary: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Vol. 2
Review: I remember fondly watching this series when it was aired on PBS some years ago. The quality of the production as well as the stories made me go and read all the Sherlock Holmes stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the episodes were faithful to the stories. Even the original illustrations from the Strand magazine (where the Sherlock Holmes stories first appeared) were apparently used in setting up scenes in the episodes. Since getting volumes 1 and 2 and eagerly awaiting volume 3, I've fallen in love with these excellent adaptations all over again. They get better with repeat viewings. You pick out little details you missed the first time. I recommend these to anyone who appreciates good mysteries first of all, and those who appreciate dramatizations that are faithful to the author's vision of the story and characters.
Rating:
Summary: A Slightly Marred Masterpiece
Review: If you read my review of the first edition of this DVD series, you would know I consider Jeremy Brett's Holmes to be superior to all other interpretations. If you didn't, now you do! After reviewing the DVD I read a review which itemized several technical flaws which I have since noted myself. This disc is no exception, as it includes one quite obvious flaw wherein Brett's face seems to spasm or jiggle unintentionally. Lord knows why this series hasn't garnered more attention, but if it had I can guarantee a bit more money and time would have been spent on the DVD's. The content is the most critical element (especially since there are NO special features save a few biographical screens) and again, it never fails to entertain. The Crooked Man is a rather heart-wrenching episode, showing the cruel machinations of an ambitious soldier and their deadly consequences. Although many episodes of this program are quite funny thanks to Brett's intensely mannered performance, this one relied on emotional content and dramatic irony to keep the viewer engaged. The Speckled Band was the first episode I was lucky enough to see when my mother introduced me to the series, and it too tells a striking and tragic story.
Both episodes are generally humorless but continued the tradition of simple, loyal reproduction of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tales. Brett is always fantastic and will be missed. (If you are like me, and you usually find something Holmes does or says very funny in each episode, listen for the British military jargon in The Crooked Man. It sounds as strange and silly to me as US army terminology must sound to them.)
Rating:
Summary: Brett = Holmes
Review: Jeremy Brett is superb has Holmes. I think even Basil Rathbone would have to admit this (if he were still with us). The Crooked Man is a little slow with not must mystery but the acting is excellent. The Speckled Band is true to form. Not as many episodes as the first collection but oh well.
Rating:
Summary: Jeremy Brett
Review: Our Well Studied and Deliberately Executed Holmes: In reviewing this DVD, I'm actually examining the actor's performance as the character in the entire series, rather than those encapsulated within the specific titles. I have seen these episodes, and could do a separate review of each, but I think in this case that would actually be inappropriate. I can say, however, that these episodes are very good, and represent this outstanding series very well. The DVD itself is also of very high quality, as far as sound and picture are concerned. Granada did a first rate job, that has translated itself very handily to the new format. Jeremy Brett's Holmes is something other than the various Holmes' we've been exposed to in the past. I was raised on Rathbone. But when I saw Brett's performances when they first aired on PBS, I slowly forgot Rathbone's influences. Brett immerses himself in such a way that must make it very personal to him, then displays the character of Holmes in a forceful and deliberate manner - and in a depth we may not see again. The key thing to understanding Holmes, I think, is that he is unique as a genius as any genius would be. Exercising his talents to there fullest doesn't give him super-status as an overall human being by erasing other flaws. Instead, his talent takes precedence, accentuating his human flaws by casting them into a state of neglect that highlights them. Brett understands this, clearly because he himself is either a bona fide genius, or he has somehow deciphered the code that generates a genius' idiosyncratic behaviors. I can't say which. I can say that I really believe his Holmes. Brett may as well BE Holmes. My second favorite aspect of Brett's Holmes is the level of humor. Great care was taken here to make each little "quip" more situationally true to the character. His humor is really more an expression of how he so uniquely relates to those around him - and is frequently not acknowledged by the other characters - being that they are fairly unaware. We, as the audience are in-on-the-joke, which is nice, and it's usually a pretty funny one. I guess I just want to say that I think a great deal of this series. Jeremy Brett is the best, and here, has given us so much! He actually died while still "in service" to the roll. Not to sound too stupid about this, but I think there was something very appropriate in that. It's like he waited until he had gained perfection before moving on. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Another solid set for Brett's Holmes
Review: This is yet another DVD set featuring Jeremy Brett as the super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. This time 2 adventures are featured and the DVD print and sound here are perfect. Another must-have for Holmes' fans and highly recommended.
|
