lucyrfisher
"Footprints? A man's, or a woman's?" "They were the footprints, Mr Holmes, of a gigantic hound!"I think we saw this adaptation before reading the book, so we were really in suspense. It is faithful to the original, but a bit rushed. I was always sad that Dr Mortimer disappeared from the story - has the DVD version been cut at all? Laura Lyons is excellent, and cutting HER from the story is always a mistake. Another question: was "Miss Stapleton" dubbed? A shame, too, that we never see her being rescued. The BBC loved that sinking into a quagmire scene - they used it in Lorna Doone. In some inferior versions nobody even refers to the Great Grympen Mire!
alexanderwilson45
The BBC made two Sherlock Holmes series in the 1960's. The first was shot in black and white starred Douglas Wilmer. The second was made in colour and starred peter Cushing. In both series they were ably supported by Nigel Stock as Dr Watson. Both series closely followed Conan Doyle's original stories and made with the period atmosphere the BBC is renowned for. In the first series Wilmer makes a terrific Holmes arrogant, witty, sardonic, and with a mischievous charm. He also looks the part and has the perfect voice for the role. Nigel Stock is great as Watson and has the right chemistry with both actors. Cushing who had already excelled in the hammer version of the hound is excellent as ever working hard to make sure that every bit of his characterisation matched that what Doyle had intended.
jamesraeburn2003
The cases of the infamous Baker Street sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, and his loyal companion Dr Watson.A careful and occasionally engaging series, but despite stellar casts, the acting was at times variable and the direction often tended to be stagy in a stodgy theatrical way typical of BBC programmes at that time. Peter Cushing replaced Douglas Wilmer as Holmes in 1968 and he gave a cracking performance in Hammer's "The Hound Of The Baskervilles" (1959 - see my review), but occasionally his talents didn't quite shine here.I recently picked up the BBC's three DVD set entitled "The Sherlock Holmes Collection", featuring five episodes. My favourites are "The Blue Carbunkle" and "The Boscombe Valley Mystery". It is avaliable at £19.99 in good music and video stores.
Spondonman
The 2 part episode Hound of the Baskervilles from the BBC TV series originally shown on 07/14.07.68 is out on DVD and video, and upon watching proves to me my memory isn't failing ... yet. Although, I wouldn't have guessed it was in colour and is still as bright as a new penny, both in texture and production values (bearing in mind the financial pressures always on the BBC). Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock play their parts of Holmes and Watson in a convincing way, although Cushing reportedly didn't enjoy the experience of little rehearsal time available.The story should be familiar to most but this time it's closer to the book than the other film versions I've seen. Some 1960's stagey BBC acting from time to time and no money available for certain shots so a few ho hum short cuts to be sure, but still resulting a fine and satisfying TV programme. My daughter wasn't keen on the sudden ending but - they were Arty back then!Thank the Heavens they didn't wipe it!