Search - The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 5 (The Resident Patient / The Red-Headed League / The Final Problem) on DVD

Superb performance, faithful adaptations

R. Riis | NY | 02/16/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Once again a pair of brilliant performances by Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes are slapped onto DVD with a few stingy extras. At least this time there are three episodes on the DVD, whereas Volumes 2,3,4 had two each. Save your money, though - the five-DVD box set to be released in May 2002 comes at a better per-disc price."

The grand finale

Gwen Kramer | Sunny and not-so-sunny California | 06/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD contains the last three episodes of the Adventures of Sherlock Holes series. As usual, the acting is wonderful and the setting is full of period flavor. Jeremy Brett in particular has really outdone himself in his portrayel of Holmes.Of course, even the weakest episodes in the series are still a pleasure but the three on this DVD are surely some of the best.The Resident Patient: Holmes is called on to investigate when the only crime seems to be a minor intrusion. However, things change when there is an apparent suicide. This episode delves into definate Poe territory with its opening nightmare sequence. The banter between Holmes and Watson is very good.The Red-Headed League: I freely admit that this story was one of my least favorites since I was forced to read it three times in school. However, the adaptation is very good and I was forced to rethink my dislike. Holmes is once again called to investigate what seems to be a non-crime. A mysterious League of Red-headed men forms and vanishes inexplicibly. The episode also features our first glimpse of Holmes's arch-foe, Moriarty. Not according to the book but an understandable addition.The Final Problem: Any Holmes fan knows what this story entails. To those who have never read the books, I shall say that the series closes with a real bang. Mariarty tires of Holmes's interference in his criminal affairs and goes on the offensive.The show ends on a literal cliff-hanger and as I write, there is yet no word on when the Return of Sherlock Holmes will be released on DVD. I do hope it is soon since I am ready for more!There is a complete DVD set of the entire series available. However, if you, like me, have been collecting the DVDs as they come you will find this disc a worthy completion of your Adventures set."

Delayed Rough Justice, a Mystery & Moriarty & Moriarty!!!

Archmaker | California | 06/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This windup to the first series of Holmes & Watson on Granada TV brought it all to the ending Conan Doyle wanted, at Reichenbach Falls. Since this was the best pairing of Jeremy Brett's defining Holmes and David Burke's excellent Watson, it is almost a shame that, like Doyle, Granada continued with the additional, later, tales with an exhausted Brett, slowed and puffy from illness, and a very able actor (whose name escapes me) as Watson who is, nevertheless, less satisfying than Burke in the role. Ah well.The Resident Patient has Holmes solving a strange murder that turns out to be a case of delayed justice of a sort, rough justice though it may be. It's okay.Then we get to The Red Headed League, which is a mystery that at first Holmes' takes lightly but soon realizes has deeper implications. The most important aspect of the story is where it leads...to Professor Moriarty (deliciously played by Eric Porter who gets my vote as best Moriarty of all!).This, of course, takes us to The Final Problem. Tired of Holmes, Conan Doyle wanted to end the stories by killing-him-off. However, he told this tale with just enough ambiguity to leave the door slightly ajar. By popular demand, he had to kick it open again and bring Holmes back. The tale of The Final Problem is told well here, faithful to the story, and with enough detail to make the final confrontation inevitable and believable.One watches the two tales of Holmes versus Professor Moriarty and one is struck at how such a archetypal character was created with just a few deft strokes. Moriarty is only in the two tales and only briefly and yet the legacy of the character can be seen in the James Bond villains, Fritz Lang's Dr. Mabuse, the Deaf Man (with tongue firmly in cheek) of Ed McBain's 87th Precinct, and even Hannibal Lecter. The Evil Mastermind will continue to be with us in book & film, and it was a real inspiration to pick Eric Porter for Moriarty. He has the slightly disheveled and disreputable look of a brilliant gentleman gone to seed.The 5 stars are for Sherlockians, of course, and for Jeremy Brett's brilliant capture of Holmes high-strung, imperious, and restless intelligence. The quality of the DVD's is lacking but this is all there is and the stories are worth it."

Hum a Merry Tune

Gail Lelyveld | 10/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD because Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes hums at the beginning of "The Resident Patient" a piece of Beethoven that I love to hear; however I can't remember what it is called. "The Resident Patient" is a story wherein he does not have a role in the solution. That is always fun. It is really great to see him rushing around to follow the clues, but in the end he rushes through the door and his jaw drops down to his stomach. You can just see his mind going "Oh Darn!" Sherlock also plays the violin very vigorously at the end of this episode.

Unlike the short story that Conan Doyle wrote, the TV producers used "The Red-Headed League" as a means to introduce Professor Moriarty. Don't hold it against them! It works! TV is different from a short story. This was a really silly case. It must have been done for Holiday time or an economic downturn. It is strictly for laughs; except for when Moriarty shows up in the last scene. Just because it is funny doesn't mean that you should leave it alone. One has to have a sense of humor. Even Holmes and Watson think that the facts of the case are hilarious.


"The Final Problem" is really great. It is done as if one is preparing for a funeral. Could be. Who knows. Poor Holmes takes a beating in this one. It also seems like he might be on vacation in the Alps. But who is that snake in the grass? But how can you tell what happens when there are no witnesses?The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 5 (The Resident Patient / The Red-Headed League / The Final Problem)"