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5.0 out of 5 stars
The (almost) complete film & tv history of Sherlock Holmes, 20 April 2007
The only thing i can find wrong with this book is that it has not been updated past 2003. maybe its time to bring out another updated edition, to include things such as Rupert Everert's superb "Sherlock holmes & the silk stocking murders" Though that is a small quibble indeed. This book is strangely all encompassing for its size (289 pages with lots of pictues, many of which I had not seen before.) Even obsure Russian and Polish TV series are included, and apparently, very good they are. Indeed how the author managed to view some of the obscure films and tv series in the book is a wonder indeed (this reviewer knows firsthand the difficulties involved in tracking down such items) For example. Alan Barnes has viewed such hard to get hold of items such as the entire Douglas Wilmer BBC tv series, as well as the exsisting Eilie Norwood silent shows from the 1920's. I have had to make do with two Norwood silent pictures, though very good they were.
The detail is very thorough, with the exact footage of the silent films noted, as apparently this is how they were measured, not by hours and minutes. So I am able to say with confidence that the truly obscure Danish silent, called 'Den Forklędte Guvernante'(the bogus governess) made in 1910, was 1050 feet long and stared Otto Lagoni as Holmes. The factual details, however are far from dry reading. The light conversational manner in which it is written, leads one along, page after page. Somehow making the most obscure films interesting, with interspersed assides, as though Barnes is sppeaking face to face with a fellow Sherlockian. Which, lets be honest, if you buy the book, he probably is. On the whole, well worth buying, and for me a constant ready, and reliable refference.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading for the Sherlock Holmes Film Fan, 6 Feb 2012
Originally published in 2002 by now defunct Reynolds & Hearn publishing this new updated edition includes coverage of Sherlock Holmes film and television programs released up to and including early 2011. The second Downey film SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS and the second series of the BBC series SHERLOCK are mentioned, but do not have specific individual listings. Alan Barnes (with occasional assists from writers Jonathan Rigby and Andy Lane) manages to provide succinct synopses, cast lists, production notes and insightful commentary to well over 300 individual programs from around the globe that feature the Great Detective. While the book certainly notes areas of fidelity and deviation from Conan Doyle's stories in the various adaptations, this is more about judging the films on their own merits and levels of success in terms of entertainment value, in short, this is accessible to film buffs, not just Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts. Barnes has a witty, slightly amused tone that makes the book an engaging read even when covering some of the least inspiring entries. It's hard to just dip in to read a specific entry without carrying on to whatever follows. While an index is lacking, it's a minor complaint as this is easily the best written, most wide reaching, informative and entertaining book of its kind. I firmly agree with the comment emblazoned across the top of the cover by writer/producer of the BBC's SHERLOCK - "I love this book." If you only buy one book on the film and television representations of Sherlock Holmes, it should be this one. Highly recommended.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
No stone is left unturned., 12 Aug 2011
Having read several books of this type I was pleasantly surprised to find photos and details about artistes and productions I hadn't seen elsewhere. No details seem to be unimportant for this author, including pre-production dramas and alternative castings. I would, as did the previous reviewer, like to know how he got so may details about long lost films, presumably through a lot of investigation into contemporary reviews. All in all an excellent book that I shall no doubt refer to often.
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