SHERLOCK HOLMES DOWN THE AGES

We all love Sherlock Holmes, I do atleast. The famous detective of 221 Baker Street, a gentleman with extraordinary gifts who solved little mysteries, saved lives, helped emperors; even random red-headed men with a curious story led to the capture of famous criminals.



Here is the image of Sherlock Holmes as imagined by Sidney Paget.



I saw the BBC series when it aired first on doordarshan. Jeremy Brett was so quintessentially like Sherlock (or the image I had of him when I read the stories) that it was easy to think of them as same. Actually, playing Sherlock became an obsession for Jeremy as well, as we can see from the wikipedia article.



BBC series' Dr. Watson was a bit of a bumbling man, kind and sweet, but not as sharp as Holmes. He is the perfect companion to show up the skills of Holmes, his sluggish social skills, his curtness, the curious way in which he immediately loses interest in a client as soon as the case is solved. Watson is the man who always shakes hands, opens doors, bids warm goodbyes, comforts female clients.



Here is the famous Sherlock Holmes pose, finger on his lips while he ponders over some clue. Most times he has already come to a conclusion, and needs to nab the culprit red handed, or set the trap for the final dénouement.



Here is a video clip of the famous prelude to the BBC series, a music and images that we all love so much.



However, into these dear images protruded the more recent Guy Ritchie offering. Sorry this isn't the official trailer, I wasn't able to embed it.



Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes seems like a sacrilege, the movie is bombastic and does not follow any of Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. It is more of a derivative, taking up characters and placing them as seen fit by the screenplay writer. However that does not mean that the modern take on the Baker Street boys is not enjoyable. Rachel McAdams looks luscious as Irene Adler, and plays an intelligent female. Jude Law's Dr Watson is almost as sharp as Holmes, he just happens to be a step behind him, and is NOT a comic sidekick, he is merely a more 'normal' and less forward friend of Sherlock's. The movie is engrossing and very well made, if we leave aside our puritanism for a bit.



Heck, why make a fuss, read em all, see em all !