The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series) The Boscombe Valley Mystery (1991) User Reviews

Fair enough it isn't the best one, but I'd still class it as excellent.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 28 November 2019]

I enjoy this episode, it's a good solid mystery with a love story narrative running through the episode. It's not an episode with a striking story, or a particularly unique plot, but there is enough quality, with incredible production values to make this a particularly enjoyable watch.

A fresh faced James Purefoy is very good, but it's Peter Vaughan he makes it, he is terrific in it. It's just a shame it takes so long for us to see him, his Aussie accent was pretty good.

It is later in the series for Brett, but he still has huge command in the role, he's wonderfully sarcastic, and physical, the amusing way he lands on the floor.

It's nice to have a change from Leatrade, it at least adds something a little different.

A pleasant adaptation - but some missing clues!

[maxandria · 9/10 · 11 March 2014]

I enjoyed this episode more than I was expecting to, based on some of the other reviews here. The reviews are incorrect however - this story is from EARLY in The Canon (1891), not late - so it came as no surprise that the conclusion of the reviews was well, a matter of opinion. The fact that Granada chose to mix and match stories from 'The Adventures..' into 'The case-book..' was odd, but does not change the order in which the author wrote the originals!

The episode featured the usual remarkable performance from Jeremy Brett and an excellent supporting cast. Peter Vaughan was wonderful as Turner. The silent exchange of glances between him and Holmes was glorious, moving and superbly executed by both actors, even if not quite true to the original (where Holmes 'reads' Turners weary look, rather than having an 'eyes only' conversation with him!).

Odd that a screenplay so faithful to the original should omit both the coooeee and the 'grey cloth' clues. Why? It made no sense! I'm sure Holmes himself would struggle to explain THAT decision....especially as it robbed him of the 2 of the strongest links in his chain of events.

Still, the wonderful acting, superb sets and still generally excellent production values (notwithstanding the above) were enough to make this episode worth watching and nearly as good as the earlier ones, despite dear Jeremy's failing health.

A good late entry

[lewis-51 · 8/10 · 25 April 2011]

This is a good story well presented and well acted. It has a very appealing hero and heroine. Holmes and Watson are in good form.

Unfortunately it is late in both the canon and in the wonderful Sherlock Homes series with Jeremy Brett. Brett is showing his age and his declining health. As for the plot itself, it seems that Doyle was recycling some plot elements from earlier stories. Those who have seen or read quite a few earlier episodes will see haunting parallels.

Still, I enjoyed it. I love Jeremy Brett and I love this series of Holmes stories.

• henry

When All Looks Bleak!

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 14 February 2014]

We have what appears to be an open and shut case, but these are never open and shut. A man has been murdered after an argument with his son. The son is now in prison, awaiting the hangman. A young woman in love (of course) with the son employs Holmes to exonerate him. Thanks to the police and their "herd of buffalo" mentality, some rather innocent clues are overlooked. Nothing is innocent to Holmes and he follows through. It seems that the key to many Holmes story is his belief in his client. It allows him to try to piece together what obtuse leavings there are. As with many of the stories of the time, if we are to have a satisfactory conclusion take place, we must depend on fortunate twists coming into play. It's not a bad thing, but contemporary readers or viewers would probably be rather unforgiving. The episode is well cast and presented, mostly true to the original story although a couple of pretty significant events are ignored.

Literal

[tedg · 22 January 2007]

Now here's an example of a Holmes adaptation that is almost precisely as in the story. Inspector Lestrade is substituted by a more gentle fellow for some reason, and a key clue (the cry of "Cooee") is absent. But by and large this contains every element of the story and nearly every line of dialog.

And its pretty bad storytelling. If there was ever an example of how the detective mechanics of books and film differ, its here. This isn't the worst of the Brett adaptations. But it lacks energy. And Brett of course is in a funk himself.

What makes it truly pleasant is the sets. Everything about this is ordinary except the sets which someone really made into complex, clever, interesting and beautiful spaces. Every shot is set is a wonderful place shown wonderfully.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

Interesting

[grantss · 8/10 · 28 December 2022]

Sherlock Holmes is contacted by Alice Turner. The man she loves, James McCarthy, has been arrested for the murder of his father, William McCarthy, an Australian who made his fortune in the goldfields of Victoria. Ms Turner is convinced that Mr McCarthy is innocent.

A fairly intriguing, interesting and entertaining episode of Sherlock Holmes. It is not obvious who the murderer is and Holmes needs to use all his abilities at clue-gathering and deduction to get to the solution. Towards the end you can work it out by elimination though. The last few scenes also feel a bit clumsy though, like the writers didn't know how to wrap it up properly.

The episode is noteworthy for the appearance of James Purefoy as James McCarthy. Purefoy was making only his second on-screen appearance.

Among the better episodes...thanks to one thing.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 18 September 2023]

I have read all of the Conan Doyle stories about Sherlock Holmes and many of the best of them had something in common...Holmes was more than willing NOT to let the police know what he discovered. In these cases, Holmes simply believed that a murder was justified and it wasn't worth turning them in for it...and since he's not a cop, he was under no obligation to do so. This happens to be the case with "The Boscombe Valley Mystery"...one Holmes solved but didn't bother telling anyone about this!

In the story, a woman contacts Holmes and asks him to take a case. A man she loves is being held by the police for murdering his father. She believes he is innocent and for some reason, Holmes seems quite convinced of it as well. Eventually, he and Watson solve the crime...and Holmes keeps it to himself!

Well written, great camerawork and terrific acting...this is, like all the episodes, well worth seeing.

Australians at Large.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 1 April 2010]

One of the better stories from later in the canon. A country squire, Mr. McCarthy, is found next to a pond with his head bashed in. His son, with whom he has recently quarreled, was seen running from the place. The son is arrested and Holmes and Watson are called in by a young woman, Alice Turner, whom the son was thinking of marrying. Their mutual affection was tentative but strengthening. Alice's father, however, played by Peter Vaughan, was obstinately opposed to the bond. Vaughan looks and acts the part of the enraged blackmail victim. His face is flat and seems made of brick.

Holmes does his number at the scene of the crime, although it has been roughed over by visitors and police until it seems to have been obliterated "by a herd of buffalo." No matter. Holmes discovers the murder weapon and identifies the cigar-smoking habits and the boots of the murder, as well as something of his medical history. "Ah HAH!", exclaims Holmes at one point, "Who is Mister Square Toes?" Holmes confronts the murderer with all the evidence, as he did years earlier in "A Study in Scarlet," and the murderer turns out to have understandable (if not exactly exculpating) human motives and, also as in "A Study in Scarlet," is a dying man. Holmes allows him to go free with assurance that the case against the young man will be dismissed.

Enjoyable entry, but why did they leave out an important clue that had appeared in the original story -- the cry of "Coooeee!" that was heard just before the homicide?

Enjoyable, but not one of the best

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 3 June 2011]

The Boscombe Valley Mystery is an enjoyable enough episode, but I don't consider it among the best of the Sherlock Holmes episodes. The story does feel cobbled together sometimes but it is at least interesting. The adaptation is however unevenly paced at times, with some scenes in the middle feeling a little saggy, and the omission of the clue that has been pointed out previously was disappointing as that could have added to the mystery more. The episode however is beautifully shot with evocative period recreation, and the music sets an appropriately haunting atmosphere. The script and direction are mostly solid, Jeremy Brett(even if you can see him visibly ailing at times) and Edward Hardwicke are excellent and Peter Vaughan also plays his role perfectly. All in all, I enjoyed it but something was missing to make it even more than that. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Good If Familiar

[ericksonsam60 · 6/10 · 7 February 2012]

Stories where Holmes (or other detectives) trying to find the truth to a murder to prevent an innocent man from going to the gallows is not uncommon in the mystery genre. That said this episode does a decent job with that formula. The story is engrossing even though the pacing does slag at times (which is one of the flaws that I feel this series can have). Still, the presentation of the story is well done with wonderful location work as Boscombe Valley looks beautiful. Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke continue to captivate as Holmes and Watson. The production values and music are excellent as usual. The photography is also lovely. Peter Vaughan and James Purefoy also deliver solid performances. Far from being a gem but certainly watchable enough.

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 3 April 2020]

The Boscombe Valley Mystery is a solid if unremarkable adaptation. It is wonderfully filmed making good use of Cheshire and Lancashire locations.

Holmes interrupts Dr Watson's fishing holiday to help exonerate James McCarthy who has been accused of killing his father at the request of his close childhood friend and sweetheart Alice Turner.

Both James and Alice's father knew each other back in Australia.

Inspector Summerby is glad to see Holmes looking into the matter but he knows that this is an open and shut case.

There are parallels to a Study in Scarlet. The motives for the murder harks back to events in the outback of Australia.

A guest star only arrives into the story late on. The glance between him and Holmes tells you that he did it. He eventually explains the reasons why he killed the man, it is a confession of a dying man.