Sherlock Holmes

The 2 part episode Hound of the Baskervilles from the BBC TV series originally shown on 07/14.07.68 is out on DVD and video, and upon watching proves to me my memory isn't failing ... yet. Although, I wouldn't have guessed it was in colour and is still as bright as a new penny, both in texture and production values (bearing in mind the financial pressures always on the BBC). Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock play their parts of Holmes and Watson in a convincing way, although Cushing reportedly didn't enjoy the experience of little rehearsal time available.

The story should be familiar to most but this time it's closer to the book than the other film versions I've seen. Some 1960's stagey BBC acting from time to time and no money available for certain shots so a few ho hum short cuts to be sure, but still resulting a fine and satisfying TV programme. My daughter wasn't keen on the sudden ending but - they were Arty back then!

Thank the Heavens they didn't wipe it!

Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novels written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Peter Cushing as Sherlock and fairly faithful to the source material . Holmes ( Peter Cushing )and Watson( Nigel Stock) are contracted by several customers for the investigation of mysteries , enigmas and killings . This is an excellent and thrilling series with mystery ,suspense and chilling elements in BBC style based on the splendid novels by Arthur Conan Doyle . It's a genuine ripping series with much thriller and moody intrigue . The TV series gets mystery, tension, thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be known stories . Peter Cushing had played Holmes for Hammer Production , when in 1968 replaced Douglas Wilmer in the BBC serial and produced by William Sterling . Magnificent Peter Cushing's interpretation although the best Sherlock is forever Basil Rathbone . Cushing created his own performance based on the classical personage and is praised for giving a great authenticity to famous role . Cushing plays as Holmes as an intelligent , obstinate , broody , pipesmoking sleuth , his acting is similar to Jeremy Brett for TV or Ronald Howard ( starring in TV chapters of the 50s with Howard Marion Crawford as Watson )or Nicol Williamson ( Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer ( Murder by decree ) . In the series appears the usual of the Arthur Conan Doyle's novels : Mycroft -Sherlock's brother-, Dr.Moriarty, Mistress Hudson , Inspector Lestrade and of course Doctor Watson. Nigel Stock plays as Watson with intelligence and joy , he's the perfect counterpoint to Holmes. The series get an evocative atmosphere ; besides the 223 Baker Street's house is well designed though is filmed in stage . The list of episodes is the following : 1.The Second Stain 2.The Dancing Men 3.A Study in Scarlet 4.The Hound of the Baskervilles: Part 1 , 5.The Hound of the Baskervilles: part 2 6.The Boscombe Valley Mystery 7.The Greek Interpreter 8.The Naval Treaty 9.Thor Bridge 10.The Musgrave Ritual 11.Black Peter 12.Wisteria Lodge 13.Shoscombe Old Place 14.The Solitary Cyclist 15.The Sign of Four 16.The Blue Carbuncle

Regarding his important role in ¨Hound of Baskerville¨ by Terence Fisher starred by Peter Cushing and Andre Morrell, in this series he also plays the same character , as this adaptation for BBC takes some elements from former film . This is an excellent and thrilling episode with horror elements in Hammer style based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle . This episode contains a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on Dartmoor where lives the fearful giant beast. In this rendition( Peter Cushing )and Watson( Nigel Stock) are hired by Doctor Mortimer for the investigation of killing Sr. Baskerville who is now inherited by his niece Sir Henry . Mortimer asks Sherlock Holmes to help protect Sir Henry Baskerville ( Gary Raymond ), who has returned to England to take his place at the family seat following the death of his uncle, Sir Charles Baskerville. Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and Dr. Mortimer believes he was frightened to death. There appears to be a curse on the family dating back nearly 200 years to when Sir Hugo Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound. Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest. Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Watson goes to the mansion ,there are the servants and he meets Stapleton and his sister ( Gabriella Licudi ). Meanwhile an inmate has escaped and on the moor sound the barking of a savage beast.Other version about this story are the following : the best version that still can be called a classic filmed in 1939 by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce y Richard Greene ; English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke .

The BBC made two Sherlock Holmes series in the 1960's. The first was shot in black and white starred Douglas Wilmer. The second was made in colour and starred peter Cushing. In both series they were ably supported by Nigel Stock as Dr Watson. Both series closely followed Conan Doyle's original stories and made with the period atmosphere the BBC is renowned for. In the first series Wilmer makes a terrific Holmes arrogant, witty, sardonic, and with a mischievous charm. He also looks the part and has the perfect voice for the role. Nigel Stock is great as Watson and has the right chemistry with both actors. Cushing who had already excelled in the hammer version of the hound is excellent as ever working hard to make sure that every bit of his characterisation matched that what Doyle had intended.

Here is an ambitious early effort by the BBC to bring Holmes to the small screen, in faithful live adaptations of the original stories. The 1964-5 series of thirteen programs starred a surprisingly capable Douglas Wilmer, who reads Holmes as brilliant (of course), lofty, bland, and a trace condescending--it is a well-crafted portrayal. Mr Wilmer seems to have been a Holmes devotee, and picked up several other related shows in his later years, including his last acting appearance as an irate member of the Diogenes club, in 2012. His devotion to this production reportedly included deep uncredited script rewrites--whoever is responsible for these teleplays did a very commendable job.

The 1968 series of sixteen episodes, of which unhappily only five survive, went to Peter Cushing. He provides us a typically brilliant, mercurial, skillful interpretation though with no new personality traits of the character. He is quite a showman, however, and easily captures the camera and propels the stories along. Both these great actors had difficulty with the confines of live, serial British television of the 1960's. The production, while very skillfully made, looks pretty inexpensive and generally lacking in retakes. Clearly rehearsals were hurried as well.

So, recommended for Holmes scholars; most people, fast-forward to the Granada series of the 1980's and 90's.

This adaptation of the most famous fictional detective - Sherlock Holmes - succeeds in being the first authentic series that is accurately based upon the Holmes character, Watson's character and the stories themselves. However, it is well documented that this series wasn't without its problems behind the scenes. The leading actor from the 1964/65 series - Douglas Wilmer - recalled in a recent interview before his passing - that he took it upon himself to re-write all the dialogue. The reason for this, was because no one at the BBC had bothered to read the original stories whilst writing the scripts, according to the late actor. Angry with the writers of the series and perhaps with some justification, Douglas Wilmer believed here was a golden opportunity in making an authentic Sherlock Holmes television series. The BBC didn't react very well to what the actor did and so, he was labelled a "troublemaker." The atmosphere during the making of the series was rather fraught with tension. In spite of the above, I am delighted with the final results. The existing black and white episodes offer moments of TV joy. All of them work tremendously well. Even though the production values are on the modest side (typical bloody BBC), great lengths have been taken in recreating Victorian London. Upon discovering that rehearsal time was being reduced from once every 14 days to every 10 days, it proved to be the final straw. Douglas Wilmer announced his decision to leave the series. I found that to be a great shame as he easily ranks as being one of the definitive interpretations of Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone is still my favourite). As was pointed out, the various characteristics of Holmes were presented for the first time and not always positive ones. I own the black and white series on DVD and it's a welcome release. When the series returned in 1968 and in colour, 16 further episodes were commissioned for production. Nigel Stock returned as Doctor Watson and was joined by Peter Cushing who assumed the role of the Baker Street sleuth. The latter made for a very effective Holmes - albeit a totally different one to that of his predecessor. The less pleasant aspects of Holmes were effectively toned down. Peter Cushing never was very keen on watching himself as Holmes, as he felt the lack of rehearsal time hampered his chance of creating a properly studied performance. He does do very well though. It is nothing short of a travesty that only 6 of the colour episodes exist. The chances of any others being recovered, are fairly remote. However, the 2 part version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" has been preserved and thank goodness! It is an excellent rendition and far superior to the Jeremy Brett version. Anyone who is a fan of Sherlock Holmes should aquire these BBC gems.