THE SHERLOCK HOLMES COLLECTION (uk dvd)
bbc archive television

dvd review

Peter Cushing had rose to stardom on BBC television in the 1950s, most famously as Winston Smith in their acclaimed adaptation of Orwell's 1984. Then in 1956 he made the leap to international film star with his first Hammer horror, The Curse of Frankenstein.

His first association with Sherlock Holmes came in 1959, when he played the sleuth in Hammer's adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles. Box office receipts weren't good, and so the proposed series of Sherlock Holmes adaptations fell through.

In 1968 the BBC decided to make a new series of Holmes stories in colour. They wanted Douglas Wilmer for the lead, following the black and white series he had made for the corporation in 1965 and 1966. Wilmer turned down the role, as did many others, fearing the inadequacies of the tight budget and grueling ten day schedules for each episode. Cushing however, jumped at the chance, and set about re-reading the original stories in his collection of original Strand magazines. Cushing's attention to detail had earned him the name "props Peter" with Hammer, and would enrich his performances on celluloid. He brought the same care to his BBC role. For 16 episodes Cushing embodied the Holmes persona. The attention to detail brought on costumes and sets, directly lifted from Sidney Paget's Strand illustrations, would not be equalled again until Granada's series of 1986 starring Jeremy Brett.

Cushing was accompanied by Nigel Stock as Dr Watson, himself the only link with the BBC's earlier series. A much more serious performance than that of Nigel Bruce (Basil Rathbone's bumbling foil), but not without warmth and humour. Most of the best scenes are with them. The scripts themselves are tight, with only the two-part adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles allowed time to develop. Hound is a particular delight, sticking closely to the original novel, keeping Holmes out of the limelight for most of the first episode. Comparisons with the Hammer version are ineveitable, and both adaptations are enjoyable. Hound has also earned its reputation by having its location work shot in Dartmoor. The first to go to the actual location the story is set in.

The remaining episodes aren't given enough time to breathe, and are in places restricted by the theatricality of some of the scenes, in particular those in 221B Baker Street. Holmes is given ample opportunity to present his forensic skills, notably in Study in Scarlet.

The Boscome Valley Mystery has a nice twisted plot, with allegations of patricide following a grisly murder. Holmes soon unravels the strands of bigamy, blackmail and theiving. A satisfying instalment, and arguably one of the best. Some brilliant direction, and excellent handling of the visions being had by the old Australian bushwacker.

The Sign of Four opens well, and then heads steadily downhill. Too rushed and contrived, it is at times difficult to follow, with a limp climax. Some fluffing of lines is in evidence as well - not that this is bad in itself, but made me aware as to how aware I was that the episode was faltering.

The Blue Carbuncle is a nice finisher to the set. An enjoyable piece of fare with Cushing and Stock engaging in lots of Holmesian banter. A rich support cast in a Chrsitmas-time episode, concerned with the loss of a blue jewell.

Sadly in the mid-1970s, the BBC junked many of their archive prints, including most of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Until two years ago, the Peter Cushing series had never been released to the domestic market. Then BBC learning issued Hound of the Baskervilles in a special dvd retailing at £19.99.

Now the BBC have taken it upon themselves to release the only remaining episodes from the series (a mere six), on three individual dvds, or one special box set. Important archive television unleashed at last. A must-have for Cushing fans and Sherlock Holmes addicts alike.

A Study in Scarlet | The Boscombe Valley Mystery
BBCDVD 1441
Running time: 95 mins
Cert: 12

The Hound of the Baskervilles
BBCDVD 1442
Running time: 98 mins
Cert: PG

The Sign of Four | The Blue Carbuncle
BBCDVD 1443
Running time: 97 mins
Cert: PG

Sherlock Holmes Collection 3 Disc Boxset
Contains : The Hound of the Baskervilles (parts 1 & 2); A Study in Scarlet & The Boscombe Valley Mystery; The Sign of Four & The Blue Carbuncle
BBCDVD 1533
Running time: 290 mins
Cert: PG

transfer
Presented in the original 1.33:1 fullscreen ratio. Picture is fine - in places bleeds and lacks contrast, but this is typical of the archive nature of the 40 year old videotape. Sound is a good 2 channel stereo (really a mono mix).

extras
Nothing bar English hard-of-hearing subtitles. Some sort of historical commentary, featurettes etc would have been nice. Even a text feature. With the budget price of the discs and the rarity value though, this is worthwhile stuff.

RJES

PURCHASE THE SHERLOCK HOLMES COLLECTION DVD BOX

PURCHASE R2/4 DVD of A STUDY IN SCARLETT | THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY

PURCHASE DVD of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

PURCHASE DVD of THE SIGN OF FOUR | THE BLUE CARBUNCLE

DISC:
Release Date: June 2004 (UK)

Feature length: 100 mins each disc approx
Year of 1st release: 1968
Rating: 12
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 fullscreen
Audio: English 2.0 stereo
No of Discs: 3
Region code: 2 + 4
Catalogue no: BBCDVD 1441; BBCDVD 1442; BBCDVD 1443; BBCDVD 1533
Distributor: BBC
Price: £9.99 each volume; £24.99 for boxset
Cast: Peter Cushing, Nigel Stock
Director: Graham Evans; William Sterling; Bill Bain; Henri Safran; Victors Ritelis

SPECIAL FEATURES:
* Subtitles : English SDH

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