Search - The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 1 - The Empty House & The Abbey Grange on DVD

Like the Terminator, he is back!

avrilyn | Rohan | 06/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Please ignore the "oversentimental" review below. It is totally erroneous. It could only be agreed upon if you are a disgruntled Rathbone fan, angry that Brett has replaced Basil on the pedastal. This was a wondeful episode. Hardwicke has replaced David Burke, and, though Burke was wonderful, I must hold that Hardwicke is the best Watson ever. The pair makes very believable friends. We first see Brett as the book seller (which is hilarious, I might add. He was obviously enjoying his role). His return scene is perfect, not overdone or underdone. Watson is shocked and pleased, and Holmes is glad to be back. He tells how he was never in the ravine, etc, etc. The next notable part is the capture of Moran. When Scotland Yard comes, Holmes yells at his atatcker! Watch for this: when one of the men tries to quiet Holmes after his tirade, he snarls! Truly snarls! Wonderful. The final scene, which I will call "Back at Baker Street" was excellent. The real life Brett/Hardwicke frienship shines through their dialogue, and Mrs. Hudson is basking in her glory. It can only be described as classic."

Excellent adaptation, true to Doyle's story

avrilyn | 06/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Please ignore the review by the ignoramus above. The dialogue between Holmes and Moran in THE EMPTY HOUSE is a faithful transcription of what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle actually wrote. The first three years of this series produced some outstanding episodes and THE EMPTY HOUSE is one of the best. It's beautifully directed and well written. Edward Hardwicke is excellent as the new Watson and Jeremy Brett is fascinating to watch, and even more fascinating to listen to. There is an amusing pastiche sequence at the start which takes place in the coroner's court. It nicely rounds out this story without padding it. The supporting players, particularly the excellent Colin Jeavons and Rosalie Williams, work well as an ensemble. You will want to watch this directly after viewing THE FINAL PROBLEM, another terrific episode; the two should really be sold as a set!"

Sherlock Holmes is back!!

avrilyn | 01/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Conan Doyle wrote the "Final Problem" it was supposed to be his last chronicle as he was tired of the character. But through public pressure he brought back the first Consulting Detective. In this adventure we find out that Sherlock Holmes didn't die with his "evil counterpart" but had to stay in hiding in order to evade Dr Moraity's accomplices. When the story starts, years has gone bye since the "death" of Mr Holmes and a crime gets the attention of Holmes old cohort, Dr Watson. A murderer is afoot, and nobody knows who he is and why he kills. You can guess who comes a calling. The scene where Sherlock reveals himself alive to Dr Watson is right out of the book and brought off in great fation. This is an exellent sequel to the "Final Problem" where Sherlock Holmes retakes his place in London as it's most famous Detective and ties off any loose leed left in the earlier story. As per usual Granada Television rendition of this story is visually astonishing in the period details and scenes and Mr Brett depiction of Holmes is right out of the book. If you saw "Final Problem" this a must see. If you haven't, get both"

Holmes does it again

Kurt A. Johnson | 02/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this was one of the best ones in the series. the fact that not only did Holmes come back and turns up in Watson's consulting room, acting as though nothing had happened, and then capturing the last of Moriarty's gang, made a terrific plot. i'm sure that most Sherlock Holmes fans who saw this video and enjoyed it. while i'm certain that Doyle made millions of people breathe a sigh of relief when this story was first published, i wonder if he would've been impressed by this and other episodes of the series that stared the late, great Jeremy Brett>"