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| A fascinating new yet old spin on 'The Great Detective', as The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes comes to Blu-ray and DVD, from EUREKA! |
When it comes to the cinematic interpretations of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional hero with a life all of his own, most people think of either the classic Basil Rathbone adventures of the B/W era or, in these modern blockbuster times, the quirky Robert Downey, Jr.. But in that unique and exploratory middle ground of the 1960's and 70's there were many other fine actors playing the unique and beloved role, and that of his primary sidekick and key confidante in Doctor John Watson, within a variety of styled adventures. One of the best must surely be 1970's criminally underappreciated and often overlooked gem: The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Stephens as the Baker Street Sleuth and Colin Blakely as a very jovial and supportive Watson, finally getting the lavish UK Blu-ray and DVD release it deserves, courtesy of EUREKA!.
EUREKA! Blu-ray release trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFvUB6cn_IA
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| Robert Stephens brings new aspects to Sherlock Holmes personality. All film images courtesy of EUREKA! |
Directed with subtle class and skill by Billy Wilder, best known for his comedy greats like Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, the witty and intelligent Hollywood legend was never given the full credit he deserved for this mini-masterpieces that is The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. A shame, as, from the opening frames, it's clear that he and his regular co-screenwriter in I.A.L. Diamond are clearly passionate Holmes aficionados who'd done their research in crafting this unique and celebratory story dwelling into the familiar aspects of the Holmes legacy, whilst cleverly and humorously deconstructing the fictional 'man' and his myth at the same time; not afraid to develop other mysteries to him and give subtle new depths to his personality and his chalk/cheese relationship to Watson and others. Some of Holmes' darker and excessive aspects are also brought further into the light- Wilder being one of the few filmmakers of the time to explore, but not in an overly gratuitous way, the character's dangerous use of drugs as an additional side-tool in enhancing his skill-sets- something that wasn't done as thoroughly by other creatives until the superb Jeremy Brett UK TV series era of the 1980's.
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| Not quite the 'safe house' that Holmes and Watson (Colin Blakely) were expecting! |
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| Holmes and Watson with the beguiling Gabrielle (Genevieve Page). |
Likewise, the amiable and erudite Stephens worthy performance as Holmes keeps to the main classic ingredients laid down by Conan Doyle, and the tone set by his TV and cinematic predecessors, if a touch less brusque and sarcastic, with a lot more underlying charismatic zest, acerbic wit and general sex appeal brought to the part than we'd then seen before. Though Holmes was never truly one for the ladies- indeed, after the Irene Adler incident he mostly stayed away from them albeit recognising their strengths - he is more of an attraction to the opposite sex with this storytelling, garnering the attentions of a mysterious new client, the troubled Gabrielle Valladon (the alluring Genevieve Page) who needs his help in tracking down her missing scientist husband, soon involving them all in a bizarre unfolding series of events that culminate in revelations and building danger at the atmospheric climes of Scotland's legendary Loch Ness. And such discoveries submerged, concurrently linked to the evolution of the British Empire, that will subtly yet immeasurably change the face of Holmes life both as a person and as an amateur criminal investigator, forever...
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| Mycroft Holmes (Christopher Lee) and some Royal guests! |
Respected character actor Colin Blakely brings fine support as Watson, though the character's role in the film does diminish slightly as the main plot unfolds to its third act, during which Homes relationship with Valladon develops further. Another film and TV legend, Christopher Lee, brings clarity and authoritative presence to the role of Holmes 'smarter brother', Mycroft, in one of his best screen performances, and one that truly helped get him away from the Hammer Horror/Dracula roles that, despite being so beloved, had seen so many filmmaker try to typecast him. Finally, special notice to Genevieve Page as certainly one of the best female characters to have been involved in a Holmes adventure - a woman character well realized whom I think Conan Doyle himself would have liked to have written for.
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| Investigating the mystery of Loch Ness. |
Making the most of the UK locations and enhancing the Victorian era surrounding Holmes, there's gorgeous cinematography from Christopher Challis, with further romanticism via another memorable score from Hollywood legend in composer Miklos Rozsa. All in all, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a worthy addition to any Holmes fan's collection, and one that will be better appreciated with repeat viewings. In many ways this film would lay the groundwork for other examinations into Holmes future private life and psyche-most notably the recent, highly-acclaimed Ian McKellan starrer: Mister Holmes.
KOOL TV RATING (overall film and detailed extras): 4 out of 5
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| A familiar visiting place! |
EUREKA! release notes:
An underrated masterpiece and one of the finest Sherlock Holmes films ever made...
Considered by many Holmesians to be the best Sherlock Holmes movie ever made, Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is both an affectionate parody, and a brilliant, melancholy celebration of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective.
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Stephens) and Dr. Watson (Colin Blakely), are tasked with locating the missing husband of a mysterious woman fished out of the River Thames. The course of their investigation leads them to Scotland and encounters with a group of monks, some dwarfs and even the Loch Ness Monster. Can Holmes and Watson crack the case?
Co-written by Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond (one of eleven screenplays they wrote together) and starring the late great Christopher Lee as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is one of the most underrated films in Billy Wilder’s filmography, and The Masters of Cinema Series is proud to present the film for Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.
Blu-ray Special Features:
• Glorious 1080p presentation • Uncompressed PCM soundtrack (on the Blu-ray) • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing • A new video interview with film scholar Neil Sinyard • The Missing Cases(50 mins): A presentation of the films deleted sequences, using script excerpts, production stills and surviving film footage. Includes the film’s Original Prologue, The Curious Case of the Upside Down Room, The Adventure of the Dumbfounded Detective and The Dreadful Business of the Naked Honeymooners • Deleted Epilogue Scene (audio only) • Christopher Lee: Mr. Holmes, Mr. Wilder - an archival interview with Christopher Lee about his experience working with Billy Wilder • Interview with editor Ernest Walter • Original theatrical trailer • PLUS: A collectors booklet featuring a new essay by Philip Kemp; the words of Billy Wilder; and rare archival imagery
Get the film on Blu-ray here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Private-Sherlock-Holmes-Masters-Blu-ray/dp/B076M9MGCN/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1516103691&sr=1-1&keywords=the+private+life+of+sherlock+holmes
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