User Reviews

Lots of intrigue, lots of twists and turns and a good deal of intrigue make Shoscombe Old Place a very likable mystery, enough going on to make it enjoyable. It's a little bit paint by numbers as it were, as you kind of get most of the plot and twists within minutes, the conclusion is interesting if a little obvious. A fresh faced Jude Law is worth looking out for, young Joe Barnes, he's been around a long time. The performances all round d are good enough, for me it's just missing a little spark, a good deal of excitement comes from the scenes involving the dog, although arguably Mrs Hudson has the best scene, a closet betting woman. One of the lesser offerings in this strong series, but still worth a look. 7/10

There's nothing particularly new in this episode. The principals are as good as ever. No recurring characters are introduced. Edward Hardwicke, as Watson, is just as trustworthy as a friend (and actor) as David Burke before him. Jude Law has a small part.

The author, I believe, was showing some flagging of inspiration by the time he reached this point in the canon. It's not an uninteresting story but it just lacks some of the dazzle of the earlier tales. This has something to do with a stern owner of a horse race who begins acting queerly, his sister who begins hiding her face from strangers, and her pet spaniel whom she begins to avoid. You'll have a decent chance to figure it out before the reveal.

The author may have been tired but the producers of the show weren't. It's as well done as any of the others and better than some that were yet to come. And there's a deliciously cockeyed moment when Holmes and Watson visit a country inn near the squire's stables and discuss the case in whispers. The jovial inn keeper bring them a pot of stew for supper. Holmes stares thoughtfully at the contents and murmurs ominously -- "These are dark waters, Watson, dark and dirty." The director cuts to a shot of the stew, the unhealthiest looking gallimaufry of steaming ocher broth with a few unidentifiable black objects and what appears to be a dead songbird, feathers and all, protruding from the murk. Hitchcock would have loved it.

The writers must have been in a good mood because there's another quietly amusing scene. Watson has been detailed to detain the ancient butler of the house while Holmes visits the other rooms. Watson and the butler sit in the kitchen, the butler's plump wife stirring a bowl nearby, and Watson mentions that the butler doesn't look well. Perhaps, since Watson is a doctor, the butler should describe what's bothering him. The wheezing man pours forth a Niagara of symptoms. There's the old rheumatism. It starts at the bottom of his wrist and works upward -- "To the shoulder," adds the bored doctor. And his feet? Oh, like blocks of ice. The man glances at his wife and whispers, "Then there's the other thing." Watson: "The other thing?" Butler, after another quick glance: "You know -- the other thing." Cut to the scowling wife.

Might be a bit easy to solve. But the acting performances are superb. Would of been better not to show the enchanting Lady Beatrice (Elizabeth Weaver) imposter at all with the face covering. Perfect casting of Sir Robert (Robin Ellis). Bob Costas like toupee could be toned down. Still, solid Brett & Hardwicke rapport. Brett laying in the road observing was great. Doc listening to the butler a gem. Wife's glare at "the other" priceless. Again bike riding isn't beneath the world's greatest detective. Love when Holmes works with man's best friend.

Nitpicking, the corpse not properly preserved for multiple days is an issue. 8/10 compared to other Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes stories. All these are 10/10 compared to anything made today.

You can come to this series looking for all sorts of pleasures.

Candidates includes Jeremy Brett's engineered nervous twitches, which you won't find here because of the drag of his mental illness. From time to time, you may also find that the adapter and filmmaker have done something clever, novel or useful with what may be one of the most useful prototypes in literature.

You won't find that here either. Some of these simply plod and this is about the most plodding. So I'd recommend that you stay away. That is, except for one silly thing.

I just saw Jude Law in "Closer." He was outclassed by one other actor in that project, but surely crossed a threshold to become a real actor in the sense of becoming someone real enough to register and theatrical enough to for us to read him without knowing how.

You can see a nineteen year old Jude Law here, playing a minor but pivotal role in the mystery. He's completely unremarkable except that we recognize him. Its a very odd experience to see a historical artifact of someone and credit him with goodwill because of something he would do much later. A mystery.

Spoiler here: he plays an actor.

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