Sherlock is back...

[Mike Covell]

This year will see the return of two well loved Sherlock Holmes projects.
The first project is Guy Ritchies sequel, featuring Robert Downey Junior and Jude Law. The trailer can be see here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNxhpNpnAkk

Internet Movie Database entry here, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/

BBC's much loved Sherlock Holmes will return for a second series later this year. The series will comprise of 3 feature length episodes and will air in the UK later this year. Several newspapers carried photos this week of the shoot, taking place in London, and featured Benedict Cumberbatch, as Holmes, knocking a cabbie out at the roadside!

Internet Movie Database entry here, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582/

[String]

I enjoyed both of these the first time round. Looking forward.

[Karen Sweet]

YAY! I love the BBC's Sherlock. Can't wait for that!

I wasn't so keen on the film though :sorry:

[Nemo]

Sorry Mike et al - I meant to make a new thread...

[Mike Covell]

Trailer for the return of BBC's Sherlock, it airs in the UK on New Years Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF1Tndsfobc

[Chris G.]

This year will see the return of two well loved Sherlock Holmes projects.
The first project is Guy Ritchies sequel, featuring Robert Downey Junior and Jude Law. The trailer can be see here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNxhpNpnAkk

Internet Movie Database entry here, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1515091/

BBC's much loved Sherlock Holmes will return for a second series later this year. The series will comprise of 3 feature length episodes and will air in the UK later this year. Several newspapers carried photos this week of the shoot, taking place in London, and featured Benedict Cumberbatch, as Holmes, knocking a cabbie out at the roadside!

Internet Movie Database entry here, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1475582/

Hi Mike

I have not seen it yet, but from what I hear the Robert Downey Jr./Jude Law Sherlock Holmes sequel is even more of a travesty of Conan Doyle's creation than Guy Ritchie's first "Sherlock Holmes" (was it really two years ago?????). I do plan to review it for Ripperologist 124. Stay tuned. Of course, I will approach "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" with no preconceptions whatsoever, as you can tell. :cool:

Best regards

Chris

[Robert Linford]

I can't quite remember how the BBC show ended last time. Is Moriarty still at large?

[George Lorton]

I haven't seen the one on BBC but I'm looking forward to Ritchie's Film, I've enjoyed all of his films with Snatch being my favorite out of his non- Sherlock Holmes films.

[Magpie]

I can't quite remember how the BBC show ended last time. Is Moriarty still at large?


It was ambiguous. There was an explosion, but no confirmation that he'd died.


I loved both, and I'm looking forward to seeing the follow-ups.

[Robert Linford]

Thanks Magpie.

[Adam Went]

They've just repeated last years BBC Sherlock episodes on TV here in preparation for the new series starting in 2012.....absolutely love the show but there's something a bit weird about seeing a Victorian/Edwardian era character sending text messages.....

Cheers,
Adam.

[Wicker Man]

I guess there's nothing there for the traditionalists. This updating of an original concept just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of us grumpy old men.
I wouldn't appreciate seeing Sherlock Holmes pulling out a Kindle any more than I'd like seeing Jack the Ripper cruising the boulevard in a Smart-car.

[George Lorton]

LOL, seriously though, you two have a point when you think about it that way. That would be strange seeing Moriarty texting Sherlock Holmes.

Actually I am surprised that they didn't make Watson a lady for added effect. Unless they have? Anyways now you have both got me curious. Perhaps I might get an episode off netflix and check the show out.

:car: Holmes cruising around gathering clues. The old boy rides again. On the trail of Moriarty.:spider:

[Robert Linford]

One of the things that first attracted me to SH was precisely the slightly musty, old-world Victorian dimension of the stories. Of course, that wouldn't have been how Victorians saw him, but it appealed to me. In the 1960s Douglas Wilmer played the part very well, and the theme music was spot-on, a lovely violin piece.

The new BBC effort is entertaining enough, very modern and rather American in the fast pacing. Deductions pour from Holmes at breakneck speed. It's very watchable, but of course, it isn't Holmes.

[Adam Went]

Agree with all of the above comments but that's not to take anything away from the show which is certainly very entertaining, and Benedict Cumberbatch not only has a fantastic name but does a fantastic job of the acting in the show - I think he portrays Holmes very well even if the surrounding gadgets are not what we would expect.

I guess the important question is, what would Sir Arthur Conan Doyle think of this modernised version of Holmes? And the answer is that he probably wouldn't care one way or another because he never went much on Holmes anyway....

Cheers,
Adam.

[Mike Covell]

Whilst I love Sherlock Holmes and everything he stands for, the new updated version is bringing more people to the fold that would not have read a Conan Doyle book or watched an old Sherlock movie. The fact that he has been updated is a great twist because it takes the technology and uses it not just for the solving of the crime, but in many cases the creation of the crime.

The casting of the duo as Holmes and Watson is fantastic and the onscreen chemistry is amazing.

The first series left off with Holmes and Watson in a swimming pool hall where they had just met Moriarty. Sadly Moriarty vanished so hopefully he will be back this time round with some more dastardly games for the duo to solve.

I have not seen the second Guy Ritchie movie yet, I didn't mind the first one, but thought the plot line (black magic pah!) was a bit far fetched. Still, the cast pulled it off, and I was surprised that Guy Ritchie did so well, but he will never top Lock Stock in my opinion.

[Phillip Walton]

After all is said and done you can't beat Jeremy Brett as Holmes.

[Big Jon]

I enjoyed the new Guy Ritchie movie on the whole. Was slightly disappointed at some of the departures from canon and the fact that Holmes didn't do much deducting or investigating in this one.

I have friends who have never been into Holmes before who love it though and have started watching the Brett series as a result.

[Big Jon]

Modernising Holmes is nothing new though. The majority of Rathbones films were a modernised Holmes in WW2.

[Phillip Walton]

I have never rated the Rathbone Holmes very highly. The portrayal of Watson as some sort of idiot for one. (Conan-Doyle never wrote 'Elementary my dear Watson' for instance.) This was primarily because Rathbone was something of a primadonna and had a lot of say in the production of his films. If you have read all the Sherlock Holmes books it is obvious that Holmes if not treating Watson as an equal (he regarded no one as his equal except possibly his brother Mycroft) he often relied upon Watson, especially his medical skills.

[Big Jon]

"Watson was a genius in his own right."

- Gil Grissom (though probably not originally!)

[Mike Covell]

"Watson was a genius in his own right."

- Gil Grissom (though probably not originally!)

Wasn't that the episode that saw Grissom leave the show? Earlier in the series they did a Sherlock Holmes episode.

[Howard Brown]

I have never rated the Rathbone Holmes very highly. The portrayal of Watson as some sort of idiot for one. (Conan-Doyle never wrote 'Elementary my dear Watson' for instance.)---Phil W

Phil...this is the man who "invented" that phrase...a former classmate of Robert Linford's back in the early 20th century

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gillette


...and the man who first uttered the famous phrase on screen :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Brook

[Chris G.]

I have never rated the Rathbone Holmes very highly. The portrayal of Watson as some sort of idiot for one. (Conan-Doyle never wrote 'Elementary my dear Watson' for instance.) This was primarily because Rathbone was something of a primadonna and had a lot of say in the production of his films. If you have read all the Sherlock Holmes books it is obvious that Holmes if not treating Watson as an equal (he regarded no one as his equal except possibly his brother Mycroft) he often relied upon Watson, especially his medical skills.

Hi Phillip

You make an excellent point about Dr. Watson as a character in the Holmes stories. Conan Doyle himself was of course a medical doctor. Why then make Watson an M.D. if he wasn't going to contribute something? It makes sense if you look at it from the point of view of the author's own background.

All the best

Chris

[Robert Linford]

I do like the Rathbone films, but agree that the presence of two idiots (Watson and Lestrade) is a bit too much.

[Robert Linford]

Jon yes, Rathbone made a couple of Victorian films and then he was modernised, partly I suppose to save money and partly to use Holmes for anti-Nazi purposes. It was a sort of modernisation from necessity. The latest one is deliberate modernisation but nonetheless enjoyable.

[Phillip Walton]

I can't remember the titles but there are a couple of other Holmes films that I remember seeing. One suggesting that the relationship between Holmes and Watson was homosexual which just as well sank without trace. The other was a spoof whereby Watson was the supersleuth and Holmes was a bumbling idiot employed by Watson as a 'front'. Actually quite funny when Moriarty discovers that his 'arch enemy' is a bumbling idiot.

[Robert Linford]

Phillip, that was "Without A Clue." Ben Kingsley played the brains and Michael Caine was the idiot.

[Wicker Man]

Hi Phillip

You make an excellent point about Dr. Watson as a character in the Holmes stories. Conan Doyle himself was of course a medical doctor. Why then make Watson an M.D. if he wasn't going to contribute something? It makes sense if you look at it from the point of view of the author's own background.

All the best

Chris

Quite so Chris. We all know that Doyle based Holmes on Dr. Joseph Bell but not everyone is aware that Doyle based Watson on himself. And as Doyle had a professional relationship with Bell the chemistry between the two likely came naturally.
So yes, Doyle had a contributing role for the Watson character.

Regards, Jon s.

[Big Jon]

I think the major theme of the Ritchie film was the relationship between Holmes and Watson. Yes, the two of them must have bickered because Holmes must have been very difficult to live with. Yet there is still a loyalty and bond between the two of them.

A fine example of this in the books is in The Adventure of the Three Garridebs:

"If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive."

[Magpie]

Phillip, that was "Without A Clue." Ben Kingsley played the brains and Michael Caine was the idiot.


Still the best Holmesian adaption in existence, in my opinion.

[Phillip Walton]

And it featured the delightful Lysette Anthony as well.:hug::rapture::love:

[Steve Russell]

Quite so Chris. We all know that Doyle based Holmes on Dr. Joseph Bell but not everyone is aware that Doyle based Watson on himself. And as Doyle had a professional relationship with Bell the chemistry between the two likely came naturally.
So yes, Doyle had a contributing role for the Watson character.

Regards, Jon s.

Doyle used to say that audiences on his lecture tours were sometimes disappointed by his resemblance to Watson rather than Holmes. The Joseph Bell angle is well known but Adrian Conan Doyle (son of ACD) maintained that his father was the "real" SH. But then he would, wouldn't he?

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Steve Russell]

I can't remember the titles but there are a couple of other Holmes films that I remember seeing. One suggesting that the relationship between Holmes and Watson was homosexual which just as well sank without trace. The other was a spoof whereby Watson was the supersleuth and Holmes was a bumbling idiot employed by Watson as a 'front'. Actually quite funny when Moriarty discovers that his 'arch enemy' is a bumbling idiot.

Hello, Phillip.
I think the first one you mention is The Private Life of SH. Robert is right about Without a Clue.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[Magpie]

Doyle used to say that audiences on his lecture tours were sometimes disappointed by his resemblance to Watson rather than Holmes. The Joseph Bell angle is well known but Adrian Conan Doyle (son of ACD) maintained that his father was the "real" SH. But then he would, wouldn't he?

Best wishes,
Steve.

Mark Frost wrote two books on the "original" of Homes--The List Of 7 and The 6 Messiahs, featuring ACD as the hero. The first one was excellent--the second not so much, but passable.

The "Dark Murder Rooms" series was quite an interesting take on ACD and Bell as well.

[Big Jon]

I've been given the 1959 Hammer version of "Hound of the Baskervilles" for Christmas, and I'm watching it right now!

[Robert Linford]

Jon, I was always a bit puzzled by the tarantula episode, which seemed a touch over-dramatic. Can a tarantula bite through a tweed jacket and a shirt?

[Big Jon]

I don't think the bites are fatal anyway unless you happen to have an allergy!

The fangs are pretty large, not sure if they'd get through tweed though. I think the most dangerous part is the hair as it stings predators (species kept as pets have a bald underside which allows them to be held).

[Robert Linford]

Jon, the other thing is that after killing it (with perhaps excessive force) Cushing wipes his stick with his handkerchief. Bet Mrs Hudson got a shock when she did the laundry.

[Howard Brown]

Never understood why tarantulas are almost always used in films...for killin' folks...instead of the Wandering Spider...which is deadly to humans and even the Welsh & Irish.
Tarantulas don't kill...and at most, they cause temporary discomfort...like me.
I might have to go to Hollywood and straighten them out once and for all.

Jonny.....guard the fort until I get back.

[Big Jon]

Fine, but don't be long - I've gotta get up early tomorrow (on my birthday of all days) to take Holly to work!

[Big Jon]

Jon, the other thing is that after killing it (with perhaps excessive force) Cushing wipes his stick with his handkerchief. Bet Mrs Hudson got a shock when she did the laundry.

Being Holmes' housekeeper, I'm sure Mrs Hudson has had to clean far worse!

[Phillip Walton]

Well I watched the first of the new episodes of Sherlock. I quite enjoyed it but Conan Doyle must be spinning in his grave like a top. They turned Irene Adler into a dominatrix with a penchant for whipping who was quite unabashed at standing nude in front of Holmes and Watson. (OK I enjoyed it a lot.:shocked::whistle:)

[Magpie]

I saw the new Robert Downey Jr outing last week. It was good. It lacked some of the easy whimsy of the first, but it was enjoyable

[Magpie]

Saw the first episode of the new series of Sherlock last night. I was very impressed. It was funny throughout, without being a "comedy" show, the rest of the characters have finally caught up with Sherlock Holmes in terms of developement, a tasty little mystery to solve, and it looked and sounded great.

Does anyone else find it odd that, although this is the first instance (that I'm aware of) that Sherlock is openly diagnosed as a sociopath, the series features possibly the most sympathetic and "human" Holmes that I've ever seen?

[Magpie]

Saw episode two this evening. Impressive, but lacking some of the humour that made the first one so brilliant.

[Magpie]

Watched the final instalment this evening and.....wow!


Really, REALLY clumsy Deux Ex Machina ending was the only glitch in what was an otherwise brilliant show.

Season three, here we come!

[Bob Hinton]

Nice touch in the last episode, the very grumpy man in the Diogenes club was Douglas Wilmer!

[Stephen Thomas]

When a teenager at the prestigious Harrow school, Domenic Cumberbatch was known to his fellow pupils as Bend-my-dick Cucumberpatch.