From the first frame to the very last, this flawless adaptation is a thing of great beauty and a credit to David Carson, who directed it. I have seen this at least six times and I'm always so completely moved by Jeremy Brett's facial expressions and the emotions conveyed during the scene in which Inspector Lestrade - adeptly played by the great Colin Jeavons) pays him a heartfelt compliment. Every single actor plays their part with great aplomb. A pre-Star Trek Next Generation Marina Sirtis appears as Lucrezia and is perfect. She would join up with Carson again in the following decade with 'Generations'. See Eric Sykes, who is always a delight and I can imagine there are a few giggles on set between him and the other members of the cast. In summary, this may be the best of the bunch from Brett and Hardwicke. Emil Wolk is amazing and memorable as Beppo. One of the very few episodes in which Mrs Hudson doesn't appear. Will Granada ever come close to achieving what they did with this series? I sincerely doubt it but one always lives in hope. What I can say for sure is that no-one will ever come as close to being the authentic Holmes as Jeremy Brett did; and please be assured that I do not say this lightly, but as someone who reads the original stories by Conan Doyle then compares the Granada adaptation.
Review of The Six Napoleons
