Jeremy Brett vs. Basil Rathbone

[Blackadder]

Okay so I just finished watching 6 hrs of Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and I can truly say one thing, the movies were terrible, even the time frame was wrong, there were no cars or phones in the times of Sherlock Holmes most of his storys took place in the 1880's- the late 1890's. It really saddened me to see how far Universal Pictures had deveated from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Novels.

Now The Granada series which stars Jeremy Brett goes right along the same timeline as the books, from the dress of the day to the language that was used. I really could not believe how much difference there was. And another thing that got my knickers in a twist was the portrayle of Dr. Watson, good lord Nigel Bruce was a bumbling idiot, and if you ever get the chance to read the books you will see Dr. Watson is a brilliant man, its just that Holmes was superior in his deductive reasoning. The books are even written from Watson's point of view. To me Rathbone does not have the air of brilliance or air of confidence that Brett has. And Brett's manor and physical appearance mirror the description of Holmes IMHO.

I have seen a lot of people say that Basil Rathbone is the one true Sherlock Holmes and have come to the conclusion that most not all but most have never read any of Doyle's tales of the great Detective.

[MrJeff]

I voted Brett, hands down his was the finest portrayal of them all. None other was truer to the original stories. They say that some actors were born to play a role, and I can't think of a better example of this being true.

[HowlinWolf]

IMO Doyle intended to create a character who was a genius, yet had some very serious behavioral flaws (antisocial, drug use, condescending, could not relate to the fair sex, etc.).

This is the man that Brett portrayed. It is not the man that Rathbone played. Therefore Brett is a more purist Holmes.

Don't even get me started about Nigel Bruce as Watson, which comes close to a criminal act.

I'm not some big Holmes freak, but I can tell which is an accurate depiction, the anachronisms aside.

[Irminsul]

Which reminds me: today's Thursday and that's the night in which the public television affiliate in South Florida presents the Sherlock Holmes episodes! I must get my Peterson Lestrade ready for the occasion. Last week they showed "The Crooked Man". I must say that the acting of some of the secondary roles in this series is outstanding: the long monologue in which the eponymous cripple relates his trials and suffering was most affecting and extremely poignant for a television production.

[OldSchoolr]

I enjoy Rathbone in other movies; in Robin Hood w/ Flynn he was great. The fight to the death scene is the Bullit car chase of movie swordfights. But the overall writing & direction of the Rathbone/Bruce films (& radio show) are Sherlock Holmes in name only.
The Jeremy Brett productions are what I think ACD would have pictured when he was writing the stories.

Now how about Horatio Hornblower; Gregory Peck or Ioan Gruffudd?

[Falconeer]

Hi All,

I'm a long time fan of Sherlock Holmes and have the full set of his adventures at home.

I agree that Brett portrays Holmes very realistically and brings the character Conan Doyle wrote about absolutely to life, but sorry here I go drifting off down Memory Lane again.......

I still vividly remember the first black and white Holmes film I ever saw - it was back in 1962 and it was Rathbone's version of "The Hound of the Baskervilles"
Back then people used to watch T.V with the lights out and I can remember finding the movie exciting, scary even and it held my interest right to the end. Times were of course much less sophisticated then, and some of Rathbone's Holmes films were simply World War 11 propaganda for the Allied Side, but I enjoyed them nevertheless.

It was Rathbone's Holmes that gave me the notion to take up the pipe in the first place so I have to vote for him!

I also suspect I'd have liked Rathbone's Holmes for a friend more than Brett's! Brett is accurate, but Holmes wasn't necessarily the easiest guy in the universe to get along with! That's my twopence worth!

All the best

Gerry

[Christoff]

Can we add another dimension? If they were to remake the SH films in the future - which actor do you think would suit the role of Sherlock? I think I'd go for Alan Rickman, with Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Watson. Any thoughts?

[Number6]

If the man were still alive, I'd say Patrick McGoohan would be perfect for the role of Holmes. (The physical type is wrong, but the attitude would have been perfect.)

I'm withholding judgement on the upcoming Johnny Depp Holmes.

[CPWSolf]

There is to be new Sherlock Holmes film released. Due out on Christmas Day of all days . Robert Downey Jr. as the detective himself (not my choice given other options), Jude Law as Dr. Watson and Mark Strong as the criminal force (Blackwood I think in the film).

The trailer looks good though very very unlike Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.
It will make for good Hollywood easy watching just don't rely on it to stick to the traditional concepts.

And as an aside Jeremy Brett is my Holmes

[acaciavet]

Basil is my choice.

[drfretboard]

Jeremy Brett was genius IMHO. When I saw him in "the eligible bachelor" I was sold.
Opinions online are widely divided as to wether this particular movie is a good representation, but I was sold on Brett as Holmes instantly. Have seen the entire series since and for me there is no other Holmes to match.
Don't like Rathbone, have enjoyed Christopher Lee as Holmes, have seen various other adaptations.
Really liked Rupert Everett in The Case of the Silk Stocking.

[viper37]

Being a big Sherlock Holmes fan I think Jeremy Brett's Holmes was the truest to the novels. I also liked the Rathbone movies but Jeremy Brett is my favorite.

[ruraldean]

It was my birthday on September 21st (belated presents accepted) and my wife gave me the complete Inspector Morse on DVD and the complete Sherlock Holmes starring Jeremy Brett. Pure magic. So I'm a Brett man.

Truth is, this thread is what made me think to drop massive hints.

[CBarclay]

My overwhelming vote is for Brett. I streamed everything I could from Netflix over the past few months from both Rathbone and Brett. I felt that Brett's Holmes was exactly like reading the books - true to the stories, characters and time frame. Rathbone's Holmes didn't do it for me at all.

[stoked]

Brett had a certain intensity and charisma that won't likely be matched - ever. I've watched the complete series about 5 times over the years.

Rathbone was dry and uncharismatic. Watching that series can be fun if you take it for what it is - (no-)brain candy.

[Karok01]

Yup, Jeremy Brett was the man, that's for sure.

[KevLa]

Jeremy Brett is the quintessential Sherlock, in my opinion.