The Royal Scandal

The Crown Prince and future Kaiser of the German Empire comes to Sherlock Holmes (Matt Frewer) and his faithful sidekick Dr. John H. Watson (Kenneth Welsh) with a dire personal case. He is being blackmailed by Polish opera singer Irene Adler with a compromising photograph. She is a con-woman known to Holmes after an encounter six years earlier. He suspects that there is more to the case and it gets even more complicated with the involvement of his brother Mycroft (R.H. Thomson).

This is a Canadian production distributed on Hallmark. Frewer as Holmes continues to be a bit lightweight and he's trying too hard with his upturned chin. The visual style is TV level. Kenneth Welsh is a solid Watson. The plot is at least followable and even a little compelling at times. The directing style and production style leaves a little to desire. The Frewer-Holmes series is not the best but this may be the best of the bunch.

Am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and get a lot of enjoyment out of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. Also love Basil Rathbone's and especially Jeremy Brett's interpretations to death. So would naturally see any Sherlock Holmes adaptation that comes my way, regardless of its reception.

The third film in the generally negatively received (though not unwatchable) four films starring Matt Frewer, 'The Royal Scandal' fares better than 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' and 'The Sign of Four'. It at least doesn't have the dubious distinction of butchering classic stories, 'The Sign of Four' was particularly disappointing. There are far better Sherlock Holmes adaptations though, even the worst Jeremy Brett adaptations are superior than any of Frewer's films. Not terrible, but should have been much better.

Again, Kenneth Welsh is the best thing about 'The Royal Scandal' and the only good actor in the film. He is an excellent Watson and more the faithful interpretation of a loyal and intelligent Watson and not the bumbling buffoon for comic relief purposes.

Found some of the locations suitably atmospheric, if perhaps not authentic, and the adaptation shot competently enough.

However, my negative feelings on Frewer's Holmes remains unchanged. He is far too manic and eccentric, with too much of an over-emphasis on hammy humour in places, and his rapport with Watson too abrasive and borderline bullying. The supporting cast range from bland (Irene Adler) to pantomimic (the villains, which are basically barely developed caricatures).

Moreover, 'The Royal Scandal' has a lack of tension and suspense and is pretty dull. It further suffers from being somewhat over-stuffed, too many various and different ideas cobbled together and it just feels muddled and disjointed. The costumes are not particularly appealing to look at and some of the dialogue, apart from some thought-provoking moments, is ham-fisted. Having too much emphasis on Holmes taking on the case on a more personal level didn't feel right either.

Overall, lacklustre while not being unwatchable. 4/10 Bethany Cox

One of four Sherlock Holmes TV movies made in Canada at the turn of the century and starring Matt Frewer as the eponymous detective. I hate to say it but having also seen CASE OF THE WHITECHAPEL VAMPIRE, I think these were four films too many.

THE ROYAL SCANDAL is an appalling Holmes adaptation, one seemingly aimed at children. That's the only way I can explain the horrendous, pantomime style acting and the join-the-dots style of storytelling. Irene Adler's in this one, but she's unrecognisable from the story, and the plot seems to mix in a few different Holmes tales along the way.

The production values are just about acceptable, I suppose, but the plotting is straight out of some TV movie of the week and the characters unrecognisable from the Conan Doyle creations. Frewer's fey, foppish Holmes in particular seems to be like Mr Wickham out of PRIDE & PREJUDICE and has to be the worst on-screen Holmes ever. As such, I advise you to avoid this film like the plague.

The four Sherlock Holmes movies by Hallmark are just good fun versions for kids. Don't even try to take 'em seriously folks. Don't expect them to be artistic masterpieces based on literary classics. These TV movies were made for a family audience and there's plenty of comedy for kids in these things. Frewer's Holmes must be seen to be believed! He's a hoot! He's the most eccentric Holmes EVER! Kids will love this guy! Kenneth Welsh is much more traditional in his role and he makes a very fine Watson. These Frewer Holmes flicks are sure to entertain the kids and will hopefully encourage them to read more about The Master Detective. They certainly wont get bored watching any of these with the ultra-intense and comedic Frewer on the screen.

It is not awful - just not for the purist.

I suspect that Johnny Lee Miller adapted his Sherlock after watching this film.

Watson is excellent as are the villains.

I have a complete collection of the original Strand magazines and am well aware of how many versions of Holmes do vary as do many of the plot lines. However, I feel that a little artistic licence can be allowed otherwise it would be like watching the Shakespearian society reciting Othello as against watching Orson Well's superb adaption.

One thing was missing though - Holmes' cocaine addiction, remembering that these drugs could be freely purchased in that era.

Overall worth a watch.