|
 Based on 13 reviews.
.Amazon.com One of the most popular of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, "The Blue Carbuncle" is given exciting treatment in this Granada Television adaptation, featuring Jeremy Brett and David Burke in definitive performances as the famous detective and his ally and chronicler, Dr. Watson. The story concerns the disappearance of a gem called the Blue Carbuncle, which is linked to a terrible history of murders, suicides, attacks, and robberies. The jewel's trail leads Holmes all over wintry London and to a decision that stuns Watson in its legal and ethical implications. Tightly woven and cleverly adapted from the page, "The Blue Carbuncle" is a worthy telling of a classic tale. Just as Holmes is lamenting the state of his investigation practice, a letter arrives from a Violet Hunter (Natasha Richardson), who seeks advice on whether to accept a position as governess at the Copper Beeches, the home of a genuine oddball named Jephro Rucastle (Joss Ackland) and his equally strange family. This fine adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's clever mystery "The Copper Beeches" is absolutely engrossing, and as usual Brett's performance as the famed detective is flawless and true to Doyle's original vision. Burke does his typically stellar work as Watson, and the addition of one great veteran (Ackland) and one talented then-newcomer (Richardson) to the cast is a real treat. --Tom Keogh Reader Reviews 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Getting into the spirit of the role, May 5, 2002 Reviewer: jingles_sunderland from Wayne, NJ United States These early shows from Jeremy Brett's career of portrayal of the famous detective are such a joy to behold. One of the most endearing characteristics of these shows has been the attention which has been paid to keeping the story as close as possible to the original Conan Doyle story. To that extent, these particular productions are the ultimate in depiction of Sherlock Holmes and one cannot see how anyone would even attempt to remake them with another actor in the major role. Brett always threw himself into Holmes, playing him with such zeal, style and panache. In these two stories he very much continues to play the character straight as it were acting out the story true to the word. True to his interpretation to the spirit would come later. David Burke offers an intelligent interpretation of Watson, trying to throw off the categorisation of Watson as a well meaning buffoon which resulted from the Rathbone years. As others have pointed out these are two great stories, the second notable for the actors involved. From my point of view the attention to detail is marvellous, in the settings and furnishings. Unlike Poirot however, these stories do not tire with the background. The Victorians were much more adventuresome in the extent of their cultural choices than the society portrayed in Agatha Christie's novels. This is one set that belongs in a DVD library of good detective dramas together with that other beautifully produced series, 'Inspector Morse'. Ten out of Five.
|
