SHERLOCK HOLMES
Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes films are notorious for being flagrantly unfaithful to the novels upon which they are based. For one, most of the films are set in the 1940’s, whereas the Sherlock Holmes novels and short stories are set in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Also, Nigel Bruce’s bumbling portrayal of Doctor Watson has gone down in history as possibly the greatest crime ever perpetrated against a fictional character.
However, if you just sit back, enjoy the fun atmosphere, and Basil Rathbone’s enigmatic portrayal of Holmes, there is plenty to enjoy about this sumptuous and comprehensive box set.
Decked out in classy packaging, and with a set of lovely colour postcards, the box set is the ultimate collectors item for any fan of Holmes, Rathbone, or indeed any old movies. It is also full of extras and commentaries by a Sherlock Holmes expert.
The best film of the series is the second, and coincidentally the most faithful. This version of the classic story ‘The Hound of The Baskervilles’ features Rathbone on fine form as Holmes, and is genuinely atmospheric and compelling. It makes you wish that more of the films had been straight adaptations of Conan Doyle’s Holmes novels.
That said, plot elements from the novels can be found in various others of these films. ‘The Devils Foot’, ‘The Final Problem’ and ‘The Dancing Men’, amongst others, can be recognised in amongst the pre war paranoia of the 1940’s set Sherlock Holmes films.
This box set is not without its duds. ‘Sherlock Holmes in Washington’ is a flagrant piece of patriotic propaganda on behalf of the American film company, featuring a gratuitous scene where Holmes is given a tour around major American landmarks, declaring them “astounding”.
The quality is however generally high, and these films never stop being fun to watch.
Perfect viewing for a rainy afternoon.
| Merchant | Title | Price |
 | SHERLOCK HOLMES | £59.99 |
