Search - Biography: Sherlock Holmes - The Great Detective on DVD

Finding the real Holmes

FrKurt Messick | Bloomington, IN USA | 05/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have long been a fan of Sherlock Holmes, and long been a fan of the A&E Biography series. I was surprised and delighted to find this production, and felt that it served to show the Sherlockian/Holmesian issue of the reality of Sherlock Holmes in its very existence -- A&E's Biography series rarely recounts the life of a fictional character. Yet Sherlock Holmes has been a reality for many fans since the early stories appearing the Strand magazine more than a century ago. Even despite the fact that 221B Baker Street, Holmes' upstairs lodgings with Mrs. Hudson, is also a fictional address, nonetheless the Royal Mail delivers cards and letters on a regular basis to the business that operates in the location where 221B Baker Street might be (and, depending upon the business located there, there is a desk and secretary charged with responding to the correspondence to Holmes and Watson). There are a number of followers of Holmes who strive to put Holmes into real history - to locate the 'real' Holmes, as if all the stories were done in code, hiding the identity and actions of a real Holmes in the past.

This biographical sketch includes information about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the stories, as well as figures who inspired him (most especially the Scottish doctor Joseph Bell, one of Conan Doyle's professors, who himself was an expert at observation and drawing conclusions on the basis of them). It traces the development of Holmes through magazines and novels, then into radio, film, television and more. Holmes now exists in cyberspace, in cartoons, in comic books, and, perhaps most ironic for the quintessential English character, in dozens of languages around the world. Holmes inspires not only fans of mystery fiction, but also has inspired generations of law enforcement professionals who look to Holmes for investigation techniques and reasoning models.

Any fan of Holmes will love this biography, a video compilation or sampler of many of the highlights. Those new to Holmes will find items of interest, and help put the stories in context, and perhaps help to explain the continuing appeal of Holmes as generations continue further and further from its Victorian origins."

An Unexpected Delight

Eri Hashimoto | North Canton, Ohio United States | 08/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first, I was afraid to purchase this video, as I feared it might present some lame, cheesy actor to portray Sherlock Holmes. Also, I knew nothing about its contents...but I have taken my risk, and am very glad that I did.This 50 minute video features the remarkable David Burke, who starred as the first Dr. Watson in the Granada Television series opposite Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes, playing his old role again as the good doctor in his later years. This alone is good enough reason to purchase this item, but there are many more delightful features which adds to the quality of the film, including few film footages (with sound) of commentary by the Great Author himself, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But I do not want to give away everything to take away from the unexpected delights you'll find in this video, so I'll keep my silence about the rest. Just know that if you are a Sherlockian, you will definitely not be disappointed by this film."

Very interesting

mcduck | 09/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I liked it-at the begaining the biograghy took place in a Sherlock Holmes soitey.Dr.Watson(David Burke) told his story about Sherlock Holmes.On the film there was a interfew with Sherlock Holmes's creator Sir Coman Doyle.I think it was made in the late 1920's,because sound didn't arrived in movies untill 1926-I liked it all the same!"

A terrific biography, available cheaper elsewhere

mcduck | Minnesota, USA | 01/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Presented as an authentic biography of Sherlock Holmes -- with only occasional lapses to suggest anything less than historical accuracy -- the highlight of this program is footage from a BSI dinner at which David Burke reprised his role of Doctor Watson and regaled his dinner companions with stories of his years with Sherlock Holmes.

This same program is also available as a bonus feature on "The Sherlock Holmes Collection," starring Peter Cushing. That set gives you 5 BBC adaptations -- plus this same program -- so I'd recommend that collection to fans, instead of this stand-alone release."