arthursranch

OK, maybe the English subtitles aren't perfect. And maybe the foley artist's efforts could be better (or better edited). But the actors, screenplay, directing, sets, and cinematography are the best of all Sherlock Holmes adaptations. Perhaps the single Jeremy Brett episode "The Abbey Grange" matches it for screenplay (Trevor Bowen) and directing (?) and cinematography (note the use of reflections).

The Sherlock Holmes character in the Russian adaptation is logical (but not coldly so), understanding, and, in some sense, warm. He is capable of humorous pranks. In other words, he is not so distant that he seems not quite sane. The Conan Doyle stories portray Holmes as a more unusual person, like the Cumberbatch characterization

The first half of the Acquaintances episode cleverly and amusingly cements the relationship between Holmes and Watson, and introduces Mrs. Hudson as knowledgable and understanding of Holmes' ways. In the second half, Holmes solves a mystery. Spoiler Alert - the English subtitled word "motley" probably should be "mottled."

This version of Hounds is sensational. I recommend viewing with a good audio system as the background music can really pop. The same for the whole series.

This episode has remarkably strong characters - the writers were not reluctant to shift attention from Holmes and Watson. These characters are a reason to watch Hounds over and over. For example, Evgeniy Steblov as Dr. Mortimer is highly engaging. He is entertaining while reading the Hounds curse, kind of a reverse HItchcock where the McGuffin is the curse, about which no one really cares about the details.

Nikita Mikhalkov as Sir Henry is equally engaging. His introduction into the story is unconventional, and might seem out of place at first. The Sherlock-Cumberbatch series might have benefited from more development of Russell Tovey's Henry. The Barrymore's are also fleshed out.

The production company is Lenfilm which, I am told, refers to a Leningrad organization. I assume the exteriors are from that part of Europe. I love the lighting (not the low contrast flat kind we often see). The camera work is on a par with the BBC of the same era - excellent in movement and angles. The execution of the Foley artist's contributions is not always great but, to my mind, adds character.

I purchased the series DVD with English subtitles. The video looks good on a 60-inch screen. I'm not in the industry, I had a screen test at 20th Century Fox in 1948. I didn't pass the test.