There have been some very popular re-imaginings of Sherlock Holmes in the 21st century in recent times. When it comes to the classic characters, however, the greatest cinematic version is still largely unknown in this country. I don't know how it is these days - it's been quite a while since i had an eye on the inside - but last i knew there was a gallery on the wall of the Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker St that showcased all the film stars who have portrayed Mr. Holmes & Dr. Watson. Two portraits overshadowed the others, nearly twice their size - those of Vasily Livanov and Vitaly Solomin:
This Russian filmed series of 5 (or 11, depending on how you're counting) The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson movies are marvelously unique in capturing what feels like the authentic adventures of our famed duo. The casting is not the least of it, though both are perfect in the roles, and our Mrs. Hudson, Rina Zelyonaya, seems quite right, too -
The handling of the introduction of our pair in The Acquaintance is very entertaining, even with our familiarity of the material by now. Watson's sense of isolation and confusion as he tries to figure out what he's gotten himself involved with pairs beautifully with the often stark lighting, leaving him alone in the dark physically as well as mentally -
The first half of the first episode of the first film is fully consumed by Watson's puzzle of this Holmes weirdo, and serves as excellent introduction to both characters, and to set up the relationship.
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| Our first view of Holmes as he discovers a hemoglobin reactive reagent. |
The chemistry between the actors is such that when Solomin died 16 years after the last of the Holmes & Watson films, Livanov declared that Vitaly was such a part of him that he would not be gone until after both had died.
Happily, that day has yet to arrive.
There are many things that give this series its excellent feeling, from the actors to the music - picture a Victorian light jazz on harpsichord - to the sets & locations. One advantage the production team had was access to villages where things haven't changed in general appearance in the previous century, giving them not only an authentic look, but a lived in feeling as well.
This is not a Big Budget spectacle in any way. It's quiet, intimate, and involving. The films have been in my re-watch pile for a while, and i've finally started back into them. As mentioned in passing above, the format is bit odd, with each film being composed of 2 (or more) episodes. Most of these screens are from The Acquaintance, episode one of the first film. A few locations are grabbed from Bloody Inscription (or Bloody Signature, depending on which translation you find), the concluding episode of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.(1979)
The following four films are The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1980), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1981), The Treasures of Agra (1983), and The Twentieth Century Approaches (1986).
Over the course of the films they adapt an even dozen of Conan Doyle's original Sherlock Holmes tales, ending with His Last Bow.
Just to keep things Odd, it turns out that Vasily Livanov is also the director & writer of the first Russian animated movie i ever saw - The Blue Bird. This fact had eluded me until just this morning.
Well - Bravo, Sir! Yet one more reason to admire the man's work.
The body of his works is indeed impressive, far beyond the scope of today's discussion. Suffice it to say that he has not only received multiple Russian film & cultural awards, (the most recent of which i'm familiar being a special Golden Eagle Award - "For outstanding contribution to the history of Russian cinema") to honorary induction to the Order of the British Empire, "For service to the theatre and performing arts"
Did i mention that he also writes screenplays, novels, faerie tales and more?
In addition to Sherlock Holmes, he played Not Sherlock Holmes in the animated adventure Pup In Boots, and a role i haven't seen - Don Quixote in the film that he wrote, directed, produced and starred in - The Return Of Don Quixote. I'm so curious.
Okay - we'll call that an answer to this morning's query, right?
What? You thought only cowboys rode off in the sunset?
EDIT:
Вітаю! Хороша робота, українські шанувальники.
Ви підняли одне з моїх улюблених постів то тhe дуже високо.
screens from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (1979)
