First broadcast: 1984
Starring: Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams, Colin Jeavons
Episodes: 36 X 60 minutes and 5 X 120 minute
Created by: The crime novels and short stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The lowdown: The detective genius was based squarely on Doyle’s classic stories of Victorian murder and theft. Hawkish Jeremy Brett made the role his own in this acclaimed series that meticulously recreated the era. Brett’s portrayal is generally regarded as definitive. Unlike in other adaptations, David Burke was given freedom to make Doctor John Watson an intelligent and efficient assistant. He was replaced by Edward Hardwicke after the first series.
Memorable quotes: Apart from “Elementary, my dear Watson”, in the words of Holmes: “My name is Sherlock Holmes, it is my business to know what others don't know.”
Brett once said: “To me, the Sherlock Holmes stories are about a great friendship. Without Watson, Holmes might well have burnt out on drugs long ago. I hope the series shows how important friendship is.” Brett described Holmes as “the most complex isolated creature, a complete eccentric and a very lonely, private man”.
Memorable moments: Professor Moriarty (Holmes’s arch enemy) upon meeting Holmes for the first time: “You have less frontal development than I should have expected. It is a dangerous habit to finger loaded firearms in the pocket of one's dressing-gown.”
And there was that little incident at the Reichenback Falls at the climax of The Final Problem. Holmes faces Moriarty in a fight to the death, having spoilt his plans to sell the Mona Lisa.
Trivia: Brett was left-handed. The character of Sherlock Holmes was right-handed. A hand double was used whenever a close-up of Holmes writing was required. Granada recreated Baker Street next to another famous thoroughfare – Coronation Street.
Not to be confused with: Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, although Rathbone’s portrayal of Holmes in the black-and-white Hollywood movies was similar to Brett’s.
