I am a purist when it comes to Sherlock Holmes movies. I read all the Conan Doyle stories and have a great reverence for the stories as he wrote them...without all the later additions foisted on the series by stage actors (William Gillette) and movie actors (Basil Rathbone...and a bazillion others). Because of this, I simply adore the Sherlock Holmes stories produced by Grenada Television in the 1980s and 90s which starred Jeremy Brett. Unlike the other actors playing Sherlock, Brett WAS Sherlock Holmes in every way. He lacked the cliches and just produced a very realistic and inspiring version of the fictional detective. And, of the man episodes they produced, my own personal favorite is this one, "A Scandal in Bohemia". While, of course, Brett is much of the reason, it's also because I think it's the best written of the Conan Doyle stories.
When the story begins, a Bohemian king arrives and pretends to be some lower nobleman working for the King. Holmes sees right through this and clearly he has no interest in the King's intrigues or his position. While Watson bows and shows great deference to the King, Holmes treats him like any common person, as Holmes sees that nobility doesn't mean a person is particularly noble!
So what does this guy want from Holmes? Well, it seems he had an affair with an American opera star years ago and he's afraid she'll go public about their affair once the King announces his engagement to another woman! What follows is most unusual as Holmes tries to match wits with a woman who might just prove to be more than his equal. Holmes' reaction to his is priceless...as if his final comments to his King!
The writing, acting, sets...everything...is perfect in this show. Marvelous and memorable.
When the story begins, a Bohemian king arrives and pretends to be some lower nobleman working for the King. Holmes sees right through this and clearly he has no interest in the King's intrigues or his position. While Watson bows and shows great deference to the King, Holmes treats him like any common person, as Holmes sees that nobility doesn't mean a person is particularly noble!
So what does this guy want from Holmes? Well, it seems he had an affair with an American opera star years ago and he's afraid she'll go public about their affair once the King announces his engagement to another woman! What follows is most unusual as Holmes tries to match wits with a woman who might just prove to be more than his equal. Holmes' reaction to his is priceless...as if his final comments to his King!
The writing, acting, sets...everything...is perfect in this show. Marvelous and memorable.