Search - Sherlock - Case of Evil on DVD

Kendra M. (KendraM) from NASHVILLE, TN
Reviewed on 1/13/2008...

I am a big Holmes' fan. I've read all the Doyle stories and I think of Jeremy Brett the quintessential Holmes. I've seen many, many other films that do not live up to the Granada series and Brett's take on the role. I've seen all the Basil Rathbone films and the Ian Richardson films. I've seen Christopher Plummer, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett (who did a fine job), Robert Stephens, and Christopher Lee play the role. Recently I had the displeasure of seeing Jonathan Pryce and Matt Frewer. I just ordered the complete Peter Cushing set from Amazon.Uk.

This film is quite good, though. James D'Arcy is excellent as Holmes. He looks young, but once you are able to get past that, he does a wonderful job. He's subtle, true, but his expressions and characterization is spot-on. One of the things that might bother some viewers is Holmes' experience and activity with women. From Doyle's stories, Holmes didn't show much interest in women (except for "the Woman"). But, I can accept that a much younger Holmes might have. I can accept that this younger Holmes who also didn't seem to mind the limelight so much may have changed a bit during the following years.

Vincent D'Onofrio was a perfect Moriarty. He was suave and confident-- and very evil. Although we don't get to know his character so much from this movie alone, you get the sense that there's an entire backstory to him-- he isn't flat nor two-dimensional by any means.

I wasn't sure I'd like Watson (Roger Morlidge) when we first meet him on screen, but he turned out to be smart, inventive, and brave. None of the bumbling idiocy that I've seen in some of the Holmes' films. He makes a formidable counterpart to Holmes, rather than a 'sidekick'.

Lestrade (Nicholas Gecks), too, was more in line with how he's depicted in the Granada series. He makes mistakes, but he's honest and, for the most part, capable. He's a pleasure to watch.

Gabrielle Anwar was perfect as the love interest, Rebecca. Although her on-screen time is limited, she definitely gets to show her range.

Mycroft is played by Richard E Grant. Often, Mycroft is so interesting that the viewer (or reader) wants to learn much more about him. This is true, here, in this film, too. He's definitely a complex character. I wouldn't mind seeing Richard Grant play Holmes in a future film. He's definitely capable.

All in all, this was a surprisingly good film. Considering some of the stuff out there, I'm surprised this hasn't gotten better reviews. I don't think one has to suspend disbelief too much to accept Holmes as expressing an interest in women in his younger years. This Holmes is a little less certain than he is in later years, but no less brave and no less intelligent. One can accept that he puts women aside as he ages so to concentrate on his work without distraction and emotional attachment. Holmes ends up a bit eccentric, but there is nothing in the canon to assume he started out less interested in basic pleasures than his peers.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

John C. (bookwheelboy)
Reviewed on 1/1/2008...

Interesting, but not as good as Brett.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

The Game's Afoot

Heather Richards | a galaxy far far away | 10/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For years the typical Sherlock Holmes has been defined by Basil Rathbone with his memorable profile. This movie bends the rules of the canon Sherlock and turns him into something new and fresh and it ultimately works mainly because of the actors involved.

Sherlock Holmes is pitted against the nemesis, Professor Moriarty. At stake is the drug market, which Moriarty is trying to control. Sherlock is pushed to his limits as he tries to capture his rival and protect a woman he has come to love.

This Sherlock is not your typical, woman disdaining, snooty detective. This Sherlock is arrogant, womanizing and quite willing to go on a drunken blitz when the moment comes, but he's also more human than the canon version. James D'Arcy gives Sherlock an aloof demeanor yet is still very vulnerable, especially where his emotions are concerned. Richard E. Grant is also memorable in his brief role as Mycroft. Watching D'Arcy and Grant act for all they're worth against each other in their one big scene was a treat. There are less than memorable moments with Gabrielle Angwar though. Her character hardly has an impact, which is a point that comes to play later in the movie to prove she SHOULD have had an impact. The story is your basic detective mystery with the surprising addition of a really good sword fight at the end.

While this Sherlock doesn't follow the typical rules, he's still worth a watch and a welcome fresh addition to the Rathbone staple."

A well-done and accurate representation of Holmes and Watson

Michael H. Moore | World Traveler | 01/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My wife grabbed this DVD off the rental rack, I am usually very cautious about period pieces that I have never heard of, especially those pertaining to well-known fictitious characters such as Holmes. Maybe I am gun-shy after the horrible `League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,' but there was nothing else to rent so we decided to give this one a go. Well, let me say I was pleasantly surprised! This is a great film with well-acted characters and a plot that moves along. Sure, it has its faults, the relationship between Holmes and Rebecca Dolye doesn't unfold to a level necessary later in the script (I won't ruin any of the plot); but the inclusion of Holmes' brother Mycroft to explain Holmes' disdain for Professor Moriarty as well as Mycroft's role in this movie are well done, as it the introduction of Watson into the film. Far from perfect, this was a very entertaining movie that grabbed my attention from the start and kept it throughout. I can understand why some Holmes fans wouldn't like it, his character does take a beating in this movie but his fundamental strengths are still highlighted. It isn't a Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character, but a genuine fan of Doyle's works (in other words, those who have read his books and not just watched movies based on them) will appreciate this version, which delves deeper into the character and his fault's than the more sterile versions done by Rathbone/Bruce. Don't get me wrong, I love those movies, but this adaptation of Doyle's work probably is much closer to what he intended.Bottom line, great movie and well worth renting/owning. Although rated `R' it is a fairly tame movie with just a few scenes not suitable for younger viewers (e.g. autopsies)."

(1.5 STARS) Shallowest Holmes

Tsuyoshi | Kyoto, Japan | 08/06/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The Sherlock Holmes film `Case of Evil' is, as the tagline says, about the `past' of the greatest detective. The made-for-TV film is based on the completely original story set in Holmes's younger days when he met Doctor Watson. I admit the idea itself is not a bad one. What is terribly annoying is the way they put together the clichéd elements which you might have seen in the usual crime dramas, totally ignoring the Arthur Conan Doyle's books and our feelings towards the much-loved world of the sleuth.

James D'Arcy plays young Holmes before he meets Doctor Watson. Holmes is already a national hero because he killed (he thinks) the arch-villain Moriarty (Vincent D'Onofrio) after the Three Musketeers-like sword fighting. Now Holmes is very happy, popular with women, until he encounters another case that strongly implies that the master criminal is not dead.

But of course he is not dead. Everyone who chooses to see this film has some knowledge about Holmes, and they all know something about the waterfall and Holmes' Japanese martial arts skills. So when Gabrielle Anwar appears as aristocratic Lady D'Winter, we know that she is not what she appears, and we are in for the secrets in London.

But these secrets are only part of the whole merits of watching or reading Holmes's adventures. They also include the unique personality of Holmes that has become the legacy of all the human beings, and the dark-lit streets of the foggy city of London too. Sorry to report this, but this version `Case of Evil' has very little of them despite the very good title.

In fact the Sherlock Homes you see here is not your regular Holmes. Holmes sleeps with women; Holmes engages in a shoot-out; and worst of all Holmes is afraid of losing face, too much concerned about his fame while our beloved Holmes is a true gentleman, who would do none of this. Roger Morlidge plays Watson who is so clever that he can invent some gadgets James Bond would die for. Gabrielle Anwar shows her cleavage (yes, I confess, I like that part) and Richard E Grant appears as Mycroft with both legs nearly paralyzed. I still cannot comprehend the meanings of, or intentions behind these changes, and don't know whether they changed the basic setting with or without any purposes. If they have one, that must be to surprise us, and they did succeed in doing that, but not in the same way they intended.

I heartily welcome any additional materials to the Holmes world from the persons who truly understand why he and his London is still loved by billions of readers. Many of them including me would like to see his younger days, but not the puppy-faced playboy from a brat-pack."