The Final Problem)

Starring:Sherlock Holmes
Studio: Mpi Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
In "The Resident Patient," Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) are approached by Dr. Percy Trevelyan (Nicholas Clay), who has been set up in an office by a man named Blessington (Patrick Newell) in exchange for free medical care. Despite several successful years of this arrangement, Blessington is found hanging in his room. This episode from the long-running Granada Television series has the incomparable Brett enact one of Holmes's most dramatic and complex deductions. A terrific show, from the earliest and perhaps best years of the series.

"The Red-Headed League" is based on a truly popular tale from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes canon. The story has a pawnbroker named Wilson (John Woodnutt) hearing from an assistant about a wealthy foundation, the Red-Headed League, dedicated to the "propagation and spread of... redheads as well as [to] their maintenance." Good fun all around, especially for Holmes fans who would enjoy seeing this unique story well adapted for the screen.

Amazon.com

In "The Resident Patient," Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) and Dr. Watson (David Burke) are approached by Dr. Percy Trevelyan (Nicholas Clay), who has been set up in an office by a man named Blessington (Patrick Newell) in exchange for free medical care. Despite several successful years of this arrangement, Blessington is found hanging in his room. This episode from the long-running Granada Television series has the incomparable Brett enact one of Holmes's most dramatic and complex deductions. A terrific show, from the earliest and perhaps best years of the series.

Customer Reviews:

"A Mastermind has been at Work".......2005-06-28

+++++

This DVD presents three 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 Resident Patient" (12 scenes; based on the 1893 story).

A wealthy man in "a state of mortal dread" sets up a practice for a struggling doctor in his home. Later, the wealthy man is found dead in his home. Was it suicide or murder? Sherlock investigates.

(2) "The Red-Headed League" (12 scenes; based on the 1891 story).

A businessman gets a second lucrative job because he satisfies the condition for employment: he has red hair. An episode that's hilarious at first (check out Sherlock and Watson laughing uncontrollably) but later turns more sinister. The quotation by Sherlock that is the title of this review comes from this episode.

(3) "The Final Problem" (12 scenes; based on the 1893 story).

What can I say about this riveting episode? There's a unique "meeting of masterminds" at 221B Baker Street. Check out the thrilling "Final Solution" at the end of this episode that may spell the end of Sherlock. Eric Porter as Professor Moriarty does a fantastic job in this role. A must-see for all Sherlock Holmes' fans.

Brett (who made 41 Sherlock Holmes' dramas between 1984 and 1994) is in top-form in these 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 especially cinematography are quite well done. In my case, I found the picture quality and sound quality for this DVD to be almost 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; 150 min; British drama; made for TV; full screen)

+++++

We love it!.......2004-08-25

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 no less than three 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 Resident Patient - Series 2, episode 4 (September 15, 1985) - One day, a young doctor comes seeking Holmes' advice for a patient. The patient is mortally afraid of intruders, but can Sherlock find out why before it is too late?

The Red Headed League - Series 2, episode 5 (September 22, 1985) - When pawnbroker Jabez Wilson comes to Holmes and Watson with the strange tale of a league of red-headed men that never was, he expects to be laughed at. But, only Holmes can see that this strange "prank" was only the cover on a deeper mystery

The Final Problem - Series 2, episode 6 (September 29, 1985) - When Holmes foils a plot to steal the Mona Lisa from the Louvre, he finds that he has crossed the path of the "Napoleon of Crime" Professor Moriarty once too often. Will Holmes survive or will this be his final problem? [Note: this episode does include a scene that has a naked woman scene from the back.]

hmmm.......2003-06-30

The shows were wonderful. Good suspense and I love Jeremy Brett--the best Sherlock out there. But in 'The Final Problem' they had a nude "art" scene with a woman. Come on, this is just not right, why would they ruin the movie with that?!
If they would have left out the "art" they movie would be a 5 star, and it would have been just fine.

Fell In Love With This Series On A&E.......2003-05-23

Have always enjoyed this series - great stuff.

Absolute Gem.......2002-11-05

The best Holmes and 3 shows. In the last three you get introduced to Moriarity and see Holmes death(maybe). It was decent quality for a almost twenty year old show. My only problem with the series is that there are only 2-3 episodeds per disc and the bonus section is pretty bare. I would like to see some improvement for the casebook of sherlock holmes but I still cannot wait.

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