Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes: The Blue Carbuncle

The universal appeal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's super-sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, and his baffled assistant, Dr. Watson, is well attested to by the score of film adaptations which Hollywood has produced over the past half-century. Now, from the producers of Jewel in the Crown comes this delightful and exceptionally faithful rendition of "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle." In characteristic Holmesian fashion, the genius of Baker Street must find the link between the Countess of Morcar's stolen jewel, and the sudden appearance of that same jewel in the crop of a Christmas goose. Needless to say, the deductive fireworks are nothing short of brilliant. What makes this production so appealing is the standard British eye for atmospheric detail: the reconstruction of Victorian London is precise, without being gaudy (as in Young Sherlock Holmes). And Jeremy Brett and David Burke, as Holmes and Watson, are excellent--particularly Brett, who plays up a few of Holmes' less sterling qualities: his vanity, impatience, and occasional downright rudeness. Highly recommended.