Sherlock Holmes

As Sherlock Holmes, Frank Langella is not only convincing, but actually makes the character believable, and not so much of a "Super Hero." One sees the true inner man of Holmes, his foibles, addiction, and frustrations as Conan-Doyle wrote him. In this film, Langella breathes life into the dusty super-sleuth and gives substance to his relationship with Watson and Moriarty. The portrayal of Holmes and his frustration with the violin and in his opinion, his inadequacies to master it, are not only convincing but realistic. Langella has a way of making one feel they are interacting with him in person and not viewing him on the sliver screen. To see more of this most excellent actor, I heartily recommend seeing Frank Langella as "Dracula," filmed in 1979. To me Mr. Langella is the definitive Sherlock Holmes, and the absolute romantic Dracula. Cheers!

I saw this when it first came out on HBO. Langella was hot on the heels of his wonderful performance as "Dracula" and he blew me away. Exciting, compelling story, dead-on dialogue and a fistful of standout performances; this movie has it all except a place to buy it. Hasn't HBO released it onto VHS?

I had read the William Gillette play, and wished I could have been around to see it on stage. I got my wish and more, with this HBO stage production, starring Frank Langella, who is a very appealing Sherlock Holmes. Not only does he use the classic powers of deduction without going over the top about it, but the famous "elementary' line is thrown in without appearing cliche. Also, this S. H. has charm and good looks to go along with his intelligence.

I also like the way the story doesn't gloss over Holmes's drug addiction, which Watson regards with disapproval and disappointment, while Holmes doesn't attempt to excuse it, or show false remorse.

This play stands out for being one where the great detective is shown to have a heart a well as a brain, which he can't control nearly as well, when he finds himself falling in love with Alice Faulkner, a young woman determined to avenge her sister's death, but who is too sweet natured to be truly vengeful. Someone who Holmes knows in his head is all wrong for him, while his heart tells another story.

I'm always happy to see a familiar face, and found one in Susan Clark, playing one of the villains in the story, and playing the part very well.

Hearing the audience in the background doesn't take anything away from enjoying the show; in fact, the applause and laughter make you feel a part of things, like you're there, as well.

Highly recommended!

This portrayal of the character of Holmes was done as if he were a real true to life type hero. Flesh and blood with flaws and feelings. The usual actor would play him as a flawless calculating type superman who has no hang ups or issues with people in general. Holmes is a very flawed 'human' when you flesh him out and he would have been the man that Langella showed us in this production.

If Holmes was such a perfect character then why can't he master the violin? Why the addictions? Why does he refuse a romantic life with a woman? He's very much a real being and if met in life most people might find him a bit like our modern day MONK from the t.v. series. "Elementary my dear Watson..."

Most of the fabulous characters that we now adore in the detective world in film and television are just like him but updated to a more modern type of person. If this man took drugs to make him more normal as we do with intense personalities, he'd never have been the fabulous character that he's always been to us. Thank God Holmes was never introduced to Prozac!

I have a huge collection of Holmes films on DVD and this has to be among the Top Ten. Recorded in front of a live audience this is not just a filmed play, it is a real film. Langella is magnificent and is ably supported by a great cast. If only all drama could be this good. It is no surprise that this play has been a hit for about 100 yrs, it crackles with superb and witty dialogue. The plot is well constructed and has hardly aged at all. Langella and co must be proud to have worked on this production. Prior to this Langella had been a wonderful Dracula on both stage and screen. What a wonderfully talented actor he is.