Sherlock Holmes - The Definitive Collection (Digitally Remastered) [DVD]

This set is absolutely stunning. And at the price - its also a 100% bargain.

As a big Sherlock/Rathbone fan, in a mad attempt to get decent copies of these films, I've been buying Sherlock DVDs on many different labels since I've had a DVD player. Most of the ones I have acquired originate from USA. They've all been released in this country by Orbit Media. The quality of the pictures & sound is generally poor. Some of the copies I've paid out for are nothing short of miserable.

This set absolutely wipes the floor with EVERY other Rathbone Holmes DVD on the market. For picture quality & sound clarity it is positively without rival. Quality is simply pristine.

As for the films themselves - you probably know! I'm aware the Brett fans will argue til the cows come home that he was the best (and I can see why), but for me, Rathbone WAS Holmes. Nigel Bruce's bumbling Watson has been an iritant of serious Sherlockians since these films were made, but as someone who largely came to Holmes through this series, I personally have a lot of affection for both the actor and his clumsy, pompous Watson.

One of the discs contains a short documentary, detailing the lengths that the producers went to get this set as brilliant as it is. It was 10 years in the making!

There are expert and insightful audio commentaries by David Stuart Davies on 5 of the films. These were full of fascinating facts about a whole range of subjects connected to the pictures you were seeing; from subtle props (that I hadn't previously spotted) through to mini biographies of the actors who pop up throughout the 14 films. It's honestly just wonderful!

The films are;

1939: The Hound Of The Baskervilles
1939: The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes
1942: Sherlock Holmes And The Voice Of Terror
1942: Sherlock Holmes And The Secret Weapon
1943: Sherlock Holmes In Washington
1943: Sherlock Holmes Faces Death
1944: Sherlock Holmes And The Spider Woman
1944: The Scarlet Claw
1944: The Pearl Of Death
1945: The House Of Fear
1945: The Woman In Green
1945: Pursuit To Algiers
1946: Terror By Night
1946: Sherlock Holmes And The Secret Code ("Dressed To Kill" In The USA)

Cheers to whoever's idea it was to finally give these films the respect they deserve! You've made my decade (at least in a DVD sense)!

There’s hours of enjoyment to be found in this valuable package. It contains all 14 Sherlock Holmes films featuring Basil Rathbone and Sir Nigel Bruce dating from 1939 to 1946. There’s also a fascinating account of the films restoration history, in which we are told that the work occupied almost a whole year for each film, and also that one or two of the films, including one of the last of them, “Pursuit to Algiers”, were almost ready to disintegrate. The resultant visual quality is amazingly good – I can distinguish the various tweeds from which the coats of Holmes and Watson are made.

Mainly produced and directed by Roy William Neill, the series originated in England where the first 2 films were made. Each used “period’” costume and setting, although only the first was based on a Conan Doyle story. Then production was transferred to Hollywood where mainly British cast members were still used, but the settings were now contemporary and sometimes the films were unashamedly war propaganda.

With a presence, appearance and inimitable diction, Basil Rathbone is unsurpassed as an exponent of Sherlock Holmes in film. His wish to be relieved of the role and the death of regular producer and director Roy William Neill terminated the series. Nigel Bruce, as Doctor Watson, replicates the bluff, doddery English buffoon that he played so well in numerous films of those years. It’s nothing like Conan Doyle’s original, but wonderfully endearing.

These were never more than B Grade film productions in their day, most lasting little more than one hour. Somehow, their appeal remains strong. If the opportunity arises, and visitors and relatives of all ages survey my shelves, one or other of these films is often chosen in preference to something of more substance. “The Hound of the Baskervilles” is the most often chosen, but my favorite is “Pursuit to Algiers”.

Just wanted to comment on the quality of the transfer. Who ever decided to go through and remaster these films deserves a pat on the back.

Some of the older films whilst still having an appeal are spoilt by the distraction of the quality. This is not the case here!!

Whilst watching them you could all most believe they were filmed recently. Even on LCD and plasma they still stand out as quality.

Even if you have the earlier unmastered copy's I would say still get this copy you will be amazed at the difference, and the price amazon have them at it won't break the bank either!!

Roll on to them winter afternoons with the snow outside and fire inside, watching one of these, there is no better way to spend an afternoon.