Jeremy Brett

[Convict13]

Lol I came on here to discuss Sherlock and instead I discuss my growing love for Jeremy Brett  

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Well, since we also get to discuss Brett as Sherlock Holmes and he is BC's inspiration for his portrayal of the same....and it's all Sherlock....I guess it all counts.

[by the sea]

The physical comparisons are kind of interesting.  I always thought that Mr. Brett kind of "floated" ... his legs would be moving but his torso wasn't, like he was standing up on a magic carpet.  Mr. Cumberbatch is somewhat the same, although he does some fancy leg crossing while he's sitting down.  Both of them have an almost military straightness.  Mr. Cumberbatch gets to run more.  Just as an aside, has anybody noticed that British shows require an awful lot of running by their actors ?  I suppose they might having running "doubles" but I'm always amazed by the ground the characters are required to cover on foot at high speed.  Look at ASiP.  I get tired just watching them !!  

 

Debbie

[Arcadia]

Thank goodness, because there's little I enjoy more than watching a really fit actor run.....

[by the sea]

Thank goodness, because there's little I enjoy more than watching a really fit actor run.....

 

LOL !     You must watch MI-5 (Spooks) then.  Rupert Penry-Jones is incredibly speedy !  Mr. Cumberbatch seems to be an excellent vaulter, too.  Note the way he propels himself over the table at John's wedding ... just with the use of one hand !  I don't recall seeing Mr. Brett do that.

 

Debbie

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I think in one of the early episode Mr. Brett vaults over their sofa on the way to the flat's door. There was at least one fist fight in a pub. A stick fight as well somewhere.

[Arcadia]

I think in one of the early episode Mr. Brett vaults over their sofa on the way to the flat's door.

Yes he did and here it is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTqpkIKaehg#t=12

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

A video compilation of Mr. Brett's very athletic Sherlock Holmes.

 

 

 

[by the sea]

Wowsers ! 

 

Debbie

[Carol the Dabbler]

As some of you long-time Brett fans may be aware, Brett and Hardwicke did a Holmes stage play in the late 80's (about midway through the television run).  I recently came across a mention (here) of a full audio recording of the play (which I have sampled just be be sure it's still there).  Apparently it's even got "subtitles," since the script is available from Amazon.

 

[Pawse]

Somebody noted somewhere else that Jeremy Brett played Freddy Eynsford-Hill in "My Fair Lady." Guess what's on TCM right now? He was in the first scene, he's adorable....

 

Anyway, I'm watching and I had forgotten how much 'Enry 'Iggins and Col. Pickering resemble Holmes and Watson. It's hysterical. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was intentional, does anyone else remember that? (We had to study this and Pygmalion up, down and sideways in high school, you'd think I'd remember a little more about it......)

Should've seen him in 1968's The Merry Widow..! Good Golly, Miss Molly! Absolutely swooningly gorgeous in that! Breath-taking, jaw-dropping, you name it..!

[Pawse]

A video compilation of Mr. Brett's very athletic Sherlock Holmes.

 

 

 

Oh, my..!

[Pawse]

As some of you long-time Brett fans may be aware, Brett and Hardwicke did a Holmes stage play in the late 80's (about midway through the television run). I recently came across a mention (here) of a full audio recording of the play (which I have sampled just be be sure it's still there). Apparently it's even got "subtitles," since the script is available from Amazon.

I found this one too - from 1988. Though the one I've seen had audio only, and had a still from some scene. Three parts, I believe.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Yes, the one I linked to is also just audio -- in two parts.  The sound quality is amazingly good for what I take to be a surreptitious recording -- so perhaps I'm wrong about the "surreptitious" part.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

So, Brett did do a version of "A Study in Scarlet". Would love to see this performed.

[Redbeard]

I don't think they ever did A Study in Scarlet...at least it is not on my DVD.  That's too bad really. 

 

Just finished the Six Napoleans...there was a scene where Lestrade says "Scotlard Yard is not jealous of you, Mr. Holmes.  We are proud of you."  The emotion that Jeremy Brett shows...the gratitude, the bottled emotion, the eyes reddening and tearing up...it was like the façade cracked for a minute and he was just a little boy craving and needing that praise and acceptance. it was so nice.  Actually all the interaction with Holmes, Watson and Lestrade was fun to watch in this one. 

 

I have really enjoyed the episodes I've been watching.  Have seen him jump for joy, and him and Watson hold a mock trial to set a good man free. lol.  It is so great re-watching this series. 

 

In terms of casting, it really seems that lightning has struck twice for Sherlock Holmes, in the unbelievable casting masterpieces of Jeremy Brett and Benedict Cumberbatch. 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

 

I don't think they ever did A Study in Scarlet...at least it is not on my DVD.  That's too bad really. 

 

 

  No Granada never did "A Study in Scarlet" as an episode....but the play that Carol gave the linked to is based on it...so in a way....Brett did we just don't have a video version of it just the audio.

[Carol the Dabbler]

We just got the script from Amazon, and it gives really clear stage directions, so that it's possible to visualize the action while listening to the audio recording.  That may be as close as we'll ever get to a video of the play -- unless one turns up in a dusty archive somewhere.  We can always hope!

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

OOOhhh what a cool idea. I have listened to some of the audio you linked us to, Carol. Thank you so much for that. Sometime I hope to have the time to set down through its entirety. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Just as a sample, Act One opens like this:

 

A multiple setting that includes HOLMES' rooms in Baker Street and WATSON's consulting rooms, but includes space for other effects.  At the curtain rise HOLMES is spotlighted in the darkness playing the violin.  He is alone, mysterious.  The light fades on HOLMES and WATSON is discovered downstage, addressing the audience.  He is wearing outdoor clothes and is loaded up with books.

WATSON  The circumstances which led to my first meeting with Sherlock Holmes....

 

... then, as Watson is really getting into his story:

 

WATSON  ... I was without kith or kin to concern me, and therefore I was, I suppose, as free as air.

HOLMES (from behind him)  Or as free as an Army Pension of eleven shillings and sixpence a day will permit a man to be.

WATSON turns at the interruption and sees HOLMES advancing upon him.

WATSON  Holmes...

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I'm  going to have to send for that script. Maybe this Autumn I can get together some kind of Sherlockian event at Bellabooks. Was hoping for this summer but I forgot about the pirateering. But the play would make for a great group reading.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Hey, that's a great idea -- there are only two roles (well, three, if someone does the stage directions), but it's a long enough play that you might want to take turns.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Yup, by taking turns it would give every one who wanted to a chance to participate.

[Pawse]

David Burke and Edward Hardwicke were both great Watsons, the two greatest ever along with Martin Freeman, but I prefer Burke. I think it's the boyish charm for me. I will admit that a bad Watson can completely spoil a Sherlock Holmes adaptation. It's why I can't watch the Basil Rathbone movies. The minute Nigel Bruce's Watson appears, I want to throw something at the screen. Jude Law is an excellent Watson as well, and looks almost exactly like the Paget drawings.

I absolutely adored David Burke as Watson - very handsome (and completely gorgeous! ), and was taken with his playfulness and the twinkling in his eyes, and was saddened by his leaving. I liked Edward Hardwicke too, noticing the difference in his interpretation.

 

With David's version, he was, perhaps, carefree and cheeky ( ), but that changed with Sherlock's 'death', and Watson was, (by now Edward's version), three years older and more wary and possibly aloof but mature.

 

I can't explain Nigel Bruce's version - I don't think he intended him to be bumbling. Basil Rathbone was the greatest movie incarnation.

 

Robert Downey Jr looked sexy, Jude Law was just cute.

 

Benedict Cumberbatch is beautiful and Martin Freeman is adorable.

 

Sorry for the rambling..!

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I love the Rathbone movies for all their proparganderizing. I do feel bad that Hollywood thought that Watson had to provide so much of the comic relief. But he does have a few highlights. I love Nigel Bruce and would have loved to see him cast as a more canonical Watson.