The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Volume 3 (The Blue Carbuncle/The Copper Beeches)

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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

Customer Reviews:

We love it!.......2006-04-06

Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! And now, these wonderful Granada Television episodes are available on DVD.

This wonderful DVD has two of the 55 minute episodes. My family and I loved this DVD, and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too! (By the way, if you like Jeremy Brett, you can see him in an entirely different role in My Fair Lady (1964) as Freddie Eynsford-Hill!)

The following episodes are included on this DVD:

The Blue Carbuncle - Series 1, episode 7 (June 5, 1984) - When Police Commissionaire Peterson comes to Holmes with the mystery of an old hat and a plucked goose that he found, Holmes actually begins to look for clues. But, when the goose is found to contain a highly-valuable stolen gemstone, Holmes decides to get to the very bottom of this mystery.

The Copper Beeches - Series 2, episode 1 (August 25, 1985) - Miss Violet Hunter is unsure as to whether or not to take a high-paying job as a governess, as the prospective employer has some very peculiar conditions. Taking the job, things go from strange to stranger, and she calls on Holmes for help. What is going on here, and what is the strange employer up to?

"The days of the great cases are past." Oh, really??.......2005-06-28

+++++

This DVD presents two of the 50 minute Sherlock Holmes' episodes that had Jeremy Brett as Sherlock and David Burke as Dr. Watson. Each episode is based on a story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 to 1930) who wrote 56 short stories and 4 novels about Sherlock Holmes.

(1) The Blue Carbuncle (12 scenes; based on the 1892 story).

A diamond with a "sinister history" is stolen from a wealthy widow. Sherlock discovers it in a most unlikely place and has to figure out who put it there.

(2) The Copper Beeches (10 scenes; based on the 1892 story).

An oddball employer asks a would-be female employee to accept some mysterious conditions before being hired for a lucrative job in a mansion called "The Copper Beeches." The quotation from Sherlock that is the title of this review is from this episode.

Brett (who made 41 Sherlock Holmes' dramas between 1984 and 1994) is in top-form in these two episodes since they were made before the time of his health problems. He captures the essence of the famous gumshoe in his performances.

The costumes, background music, and cinematography are quite well done. In my case, I found the picture quality and sound quality of this DVD to be practically perfect.

Finally, this DVD has 3 extras. I found these interesting. Newcomers to the series should especially enjoy them.

In conclusion, be sure to view this DVD and see why it won a 1988 Swedish Academy of Detection Award!!

(1984; 100 min; British drama; made for TV; full screen)

+++++

Brett Rules!!.......2002-07-23

The sound on MPIýs Sherlock Holmes DVDs has improved since volume one. Otherwise, they remain the same. The sharp picture highlights the weaknesses of the original 16mm photography, and the extras are laughable. But, here we get two of the best episodes in this phenomenal series, in a presentation that far outshines their previous life on VHS. Who could ask for anything more?

Iýve always loved ýThe Copper Beeches.ý Its gothic setting and the hammy performance of Joss Ackland as the mysterious employer help to overcome the weaknesses in Conan Doyleýs plot, while ýThe Blue Carbuncleý showcases the methods of Sherlock Holmes better than any other adventure.

The casting, as usual, couldnýt be better. A young Natasha Richardson joins Ackland in ýThe Copper Beeches,ý and the masterful Jeremy Brett triumphs, yet again, as Sherlock Holmes.

We can only hope that MPI will release the entire series on DVD. I, for one, will buy it.

Wonderful!.......2002-06-28

Any of the discs in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" series are worth buying just for Jeremy Brett's performance as Holmes. Even though there are other actors whom I adore in the role, I consider it to be impossible for anyone to play the character as good as Brett did. He simply WAS Sherlock Holmes.

Both of the episodes on this disc are very well done. "The Blue Carbuncle" is particularly good. The quality of the disc is not perfect but it is good. I would recommend this DVD.

Getting into the spirit of the role.......2002-05-05

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'.

Product Description

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes from Movie Classics, Volume 3. Digitally Remastered / Sound Enchanced. DVD. 4 Episodes: (1) The Case of the Deadly Prophecy (2) The Case of the Exhumed Client (3) The Case of the Belligerent Ghost (4) The Case of Harry Crocker Filmed in B&W.

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