Top Ten Portrayals
of Sherlock Holmes
I was asked
to contribute an article for the new and splendid Sherlock Holmes Lounge where
Sherlockians, Holmesians, Cumberbitches, Baker Street Babes or whatever label
you choose to adopt, can "meet" and indeed tweet together about a
shared passion or obsession (delete as applicable). My remit was to write about
my favourite actor in the role of the world's greatest consulting detective and
explain why - simple right? Wrong! In attempting to choose just one, many problems
immediately presented themselves. For example, some may consider Basil Rathbone
to be the definitive and most iconic screen incarnation of Holmes but then one
is reminded of the fact that he was lumbered with an imbecilic characterization
of Watson as a partner and of the fourteen films in the series, only two were really
faithful and set in the correct period. Another issue is that of availability
because many of the actors who are frequently applauded for their outstanding
performances as Holmes are hardly well represented on DVD or widely accessible
in any other format. Indeed, as wonderful as Jeremy Brett is in the role, would
it be fair to choose him rather than actors such as John Barrymore, Clive
Brook, William Gillette, Eille Norwood, Douglas Wilmer or Arthur Wontner simply
because their appearances on screen are more elusive?
Instead, it seemed to me that the only logical thing to do was compile a list of all my favourites, consider both their strengths and weaknesses, and then finally put them in order according to the amount of enjoyment they have afforded me over the years . The list is not objective and nor does it endeavour to be; rather it is an opportunity to share my passion and opinions on a subject that has divided fans for decades. So while contemporary audiences and new enthusiasts of the character debate the merits of Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr, and the more seasoned connoisseurs may contemplate their devotion to either Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett, I hope my choices will promote further discussion on the subject and perhaps even encourage some to seek out the less well known productions.
Instead, it seemed to me that the only logical thing to do was compile a list of all my favourites, consider both their strengths and weaknesses, and then finally put them in order according to the amount of enjoyment they have afforded me over the years . The list is not objective and nor does it endeavour to be; rather it is an opportunity to share my passion and opinions on a subject that has divided fans for decades. So while contemporary audiences and new enthusiasts of the character debate the merits of Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr, and the more seasoned connoisseurs may contemplate their devotion to either Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett, I hope my choices will promote further discussion on the subject and perhaps even encourage some to seek out the less well known productions.
*
10: Christopher Lee
Although it
was his friend and colleague Peter Cushing who was more prolific and
identifiable in the role of Sherlock Holmes, I would argue that Christopher
Lee's imposing appearance was a far greater match to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's
description of the character. Indeed, Lee’s aristocratic bluster and chutzpah
combined with his imposing height and intense dark looks made him one of the
most aesthetically pleasingly actors to have performed the role. There is just
one problem however; the films in which he appears as Sherlock Holmes are
bloody awful!
Other issues with the film include a horrifically
inappropriate jazz soundtrack and behind-the-scenes arguments and which
resulted in the production been co-directed by the first assistant Frank
Winterstein after the usually professional and reliable Terence Fisher
(responsible for most of greatest Hammer Horror films including many with Lee
himself) left the production.
Both screenplay and storyline are poor which is great
shame and a wasted opportunity given some of the talent involved. Given the right
script, the aforementioned Fisher is more than capable of crafting atmospheric
period thrillers as is Curt Siodmak (most famous for the original Universal Wolfman (1941) starring Lon Chaney Jr)
who also worked on the film.
However, there is still much to enjoy particularly
Thorley Walters as Watson, an impressive 221b set and some stylish
cinematography reminiscent of the German silent era. It is a pity that the planned sequel never
went into production, especially when one considers it would have seen Lee’s
Holmes battling Jack the Ripper as hinted in the final scene.
Lee is clearly the film’s greatest asset and
Sherlockians like myself will surely savor his likeness to the original Strand
magazine illustrations by Sidney Paget. Perhaps the false nose was a bit much
and they certainly got their money’s worth out of the prosthetic with copious
profile shots for those in the cheap seats.
Returning
to the role almost thirty years later, Lee embarked on two elephantine
(originally planned as eight one-hour adventures under the title The
Golden Years) TV movies which were filmed back-to-back. Both Sherlock
Holmes and the Leading Lady (1991), and then The Incident at Victoria Falls (also
1991) suffer from meandering plots, questionable period detail and some
shockingly amateurish supporting players.
Contrary to
the frequent criticism leveled at the film, Lee is not too old for the role as
he is clearly playing an elderly Holmes as Peter Cushing had done in The
Masks of Death (1984) and hence
the alternate working title.
Like The
Deadly Necklace however, few Sherlock Holmes films are without their
redeeming features and these two TV movies boast an impressive cast of
characters including Sigmund Freud, Elliot Ness, Emperor Franz Joseph, Teddy Roosevelt,
Lord Roberts, Lillie Langtry and Edward VII. Additionally, Lee and Patrick
MacNee as Watson (no stranger to the world of Arthur Conan Doyle*) enjoy a
charming interplay and once again, enthusiasts may yearn for the opportunity to
have seen them given a script that they deserve.
Christopher Lee also played Sir Henry Baskerville in the 1959 Hammer
version of The Hound of the Baskervilles and Sherlock Holmes’ brother
Mycroft in the 1970 pastiche, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.
Lee is the only actor with the distinction of having played both Holmes
siblings on screen.
*Patrick
Macnee played a retired British agent who believes he is Sherlock Holmes in an
1984 episode of Magnum, P.I., Watson in Sherlock Holmes in New York (1976)
and Holmes in The Hound of London (1993).
