Ask Jot

Chosen Answer by Vidocq

Besides the Jeremy Brett adaptation the Russian series with Vasily Livanov as Holmes and Vitaly Solomin as Watson is also very good, my personal favorite. Also the 60s TV adaptation produced by Hammer Films with Peter Cushing as Holmes and Nigel Stock as Watson, it spun off out of the best Film Adaptation of the Hound of The Baskervilles I've ever seen. Also if you are interested in an Sherlock Holmes vs Jack The Ripper movie, I can recommend Murder By Decree with Christopher Plummer as Holmes and James Mason as Watson the only big flaw I saw in it, and It was a huge one, was that Holmes took a psychic seriously. But other than that it was perfect.

Chosen Answer by Herschel

Actually, there are dozens if not hundreds, including novels where he appears in novels that center on Professor Moriarity or Mycroft Holmes. Some of the authors are Michael Kurland, Larry Millett, Alan Vanneman, Donald Thomas, Laurie R. King, Quinn Fawcett, Barrie Roberts, Leah Moore, Steven Philip Jones, and anthologies by Martin H. Greenberg, J.R. Campbell, and others.

Chosen Answer by ck1

Imagine that: Sherlock Holmes, action hero. The problem as I see it - and you've nailed it with your "Indiana Jones type detective" comment - is this production managed to leave the character Sir Arthur Conan Doyle created far behind. Granted I've not seen the movie, but it would appear to me they are appealing to those who never read what Doyle wrote and prefer huge action movies which require little thought to enjoy. Of course, I did read the books and stories many years ago. Perhaps I'm forgetting all the "blow-'em up, kick-your-butt" action sequences. Another thing I don't recall is Sherlock Holmes' flirtatious side. Either I'm forgetting some crucial facts or the movie makers forgot to read the stories. Jeremy Brett's Holmes was, arguably, the best. Even though Nigel Bruce made Dr. Watson look like a bungling fool, I did think Basil Rathbone was good. Robert Downey, Jr., though good in many different movies, is a gigantic stretch. I think I'll see the movie when it comes out on DVD, if only to groan in the appropriate places. It will be a relief to know others who have read and loved the Sherlock Holmes stories will be groaning along with me. Which detective will be turned into an action hero next, do you suppose? Nero Wolfe? Hercule Poirot? Lord Peter Wimsey? (I'll stop there, though I could go on and on.) Ah, Hollywood....

Chosen Answer by AmyV

I'm not sure that I want to see the new Sherlock Holmes film. I wrote a biography on Conan Doyle for university last year and its made me feel weirdly protective of him and Sherlock Holmes! From the trailer it looks a bit like a gangster/action film that just happens to have Holmes and Watson in it. There was an adaptation of Hound of the Baskervilles on BBC on Christmas Eve and that was much more enjoyable than the new film looks.

Chosen Answer by justicemuffins

-chuckle- Most movie adaptations are, ah... how shall I put this? A touch of base, shall we say? The age difference between Holmes and Watson is really only a handful of years; Watson, I believe, being the elder of the two. I would have to double check, but I believe the two were in their late twenties when they first meet at St. Bart's (ah, it seems so long ago!). I have a bit a of a bias towards Sherlock Holmes film portrayals... as brilliant as dear Basil is, I cling to the Granada series featuring Jeremy Brett. Watson is NOT the bumbling, moronic fool that he is portrayed as in the Basil version. He's actually, well... I suggest you read and see for yourself. Never read? Not a problem! I (Lord forgive me) actually read "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in the first grade and despised it; I only came to appreciate the adventures in my more recent years. I highly recommend it! Hum, I seem to have rambled on a bit...