"The Sign of the Four" was the second Holmes story in publication order and a great yarn involving treasure and wronged women, bizarre characters and murder. And a woman who wins Watson's heart, so he marries her and has his own medical practice while Holmes, growing in success, has Baker street to himself and they no longer have to share digs like poor students.
For some reason they sneaked the story later in the series. The first Dr. Watson, David Burke, by rights should have played the part and gotten married; but Edward Hardwicke makes a fine older Watson.
Also in the cast are Indiana Jones' own resident Nazi, Ronald Lacey, giving an ideal performance as Thaddeus Sholto. Jenny Seagrove is perhaps a curious choice for Mary but she's more the type to interest an older, wiser Watson than, say, Ann Bell, who essayed the role in the Peter Cushing version. Watson was a lady's man but he knew a good thing when he saw it. One caveat about Seagrove's performance: the story came out in 1887 or thereabouts and whatever her strength or pride a Victorian lady would have used a handkerchief.
Jeremy Brett is, as usual, is Holmes himself. I did not have him in mind when I started reading Holmes stories in middle school back in the 1970s (sorry to day, I'd never heard of the bloke), but his performance as Holmes turned me around completely. He's word perfect.
Gordon Gostelow (he had to appear in the series at some point) is amusing as the animal man and Toby is scruffily cute.
The only flaw in this otherwise superb recreation of Doyle is Doyle's own. When John Thaw as Jonathan Small starts in on his tale, it gets dull fast.
Apart from the minor flaws mentioned, this is the perfect Holmes movie. I only wish they'd married Watson off.
For some reason they sneaked the story later in the series. The first Dr. Watson, David Burke, by rights should have played the part and gotten married; but Edward Hardwicke makes a fine older Watson.
Also in the cast are Indiana Jones' own resident Nazi, Ronald Lacey, giving an ideal performance as Thaddeus Sholto. Jenny Seagrove is perhaps a curious choice for Mary but she's more the type to interest an older, wiser Watson than, say, Ann Bell, who essayed the role in the Peter Cushing version. Watson was a lady's man but he knew a good thing when he saw it. One caveat about Seagrove's performance: the story came out in 1887 or thereabouts and whatever her strength or pride a Victorian lady would have used a handkerchief.
Jeremy Brett is, as usual, is Holmes himself. I did not have him in mind when I started reading Holmes stories in middle school back in the 1970s (sorry to day, I'd never heard of the bloke), but his performance as Holmes turned me around completely. He's word perfect.
Gordon Gostelow (he had to appear in the series at some point) is amusing as the animal man and Toby is scruffily cute.
The only flaw in this otherwise superb recreation of Doyle is Doyle's own. When John Thaw as Jonathan Small starts in on his tale, it gets dull fast.
Apart from the minor flaws mentioned, this is the perfect Holmes movie. I only wish they'd married Watson off.