The Copper Beeches

A young lady consults Holmes for advice: She's been offered an unusually high paying job, but the house is far in the country, and her employer has some odd requests about her hair and dresses. She doesn't want to cut her beautiful hair, of course, and is obviously wary about the odd requests, but the pay is too high to refuse. Holmes tells her that since she's already made up her mind, there's not much for him to do. However, things take a sinister turn quickly.

The premise is very similar to The Solitary Cyclist story, and the episode is similarly mediocre. Joss Ackland and Natasha Richardson are great, though, it's worth watching just for the sake of them. Of course, saying " Joss Ackland is great" is redundant, has there ever been a performance of his that's not great?

Money seemed to talk pretty well in this day. Several of the Holmes stories involved men or women who would normally have said no but who were offered substantial financial incentives. "The Red Headed League" and "The Solitary Cyclist" come immediately to mind. In this one, however, the young woman is asked to do some pretty bizarre things, one being to cut her hair a certain way. She also works for a couple of pretty weird folk and their incorrigible child. She is also asked to sit a certain way near an open window and to wear clothing chosen by her employers. This odd arrangement finally is laid at the feet of Sherlock Holmes. There is something even stranger going on in this house and that's where the mystery lies. This offering in the Granada series works quite well. I learned a lesson a while back in an American history course I was taking. One must separate current mores and motivations from the historical setting. The more of these stories one reads, we can see the effects of the class system in England near the turn of the Nineteenth Century. Stay with this. It is quite well done.

I have made no secret in loving this series, and The Copper Beeches is no exception. The episode is not as zestily paced and other entries in the series, and the story is not the most colourful and compelling. However, I did enjoy the spooky atmosphere that The Copper Beeches had, while the production values are stunning and as evocative as ever and the music haunting and beautiful at the same time. The script is playful and thoughtfully written. But it was the acting that really stood out. Jeremy Brett is superb as Holmes and David Burke contrasts him very well(though I have a slight soft spot more for Edward Hardwicke). The late Natasha Richardson is beguiling, but acting honours in my view belong to the creepy and truly unforgettable performance of Joss Ackland. Overall, the episode is good with enough suspenseful and unsettling moments to savour as well as great production and musical values but it was the acting that really made the episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I give "The Copper Beeches" a 7/10. Breaking three 10/10s in a row. Still a terrific watch. Not a spectacular ending. But, the acting of the Rucastle House's creepy inhabitants steals the show. The late Natasha Richardson is very delightful as Violet. Again, Brett & Burke's rapport is so open & honest in their appraisals of each other to the tiniest point. Holmes holds nothing back.

I've re-watched Jeremy Brett's entire time as Sherlock Holmes, and this was the episode I had to watch more then once. I disagree with some of the other reviewers saying they don't feel that Copper Beeches was one of the best scripts, personally I do, there is something very dark, sinister and nasty about this one. The whole build up of the storyline is very intriguing. Natasha Richardson who I just watched in 'Ghosts' is so delicate as Violet. It is however two simple words that make this a standout episode, 'Joss Ackland,' he is unbelievably good as Jephro Rucastle, his huge performance is larger then life without being hammy. The scene when Violet runs from the upper level of the house, down the stairs and into him is so good. I don't think I've seen Lottie Ward in anything else, but I like her performance as Mrs Rucastle, played with a vacant yet sinister standing. 'Ladies fancies,' sends a cold chill.