The Solitary Cyclist

A sinister little tale involving a most beautiful female music teacher and some money hungry gents that just cannot seem to live up to the bargain of a card game.

The story was quite interesting as the female, Violet Smith who is also a bicycle enthusiast, is being followed while leaving her employment by a man in dark clothes also riding a bicycle. She is so worried that she employs Sherlock Holmes to look into the matter as she feels something or someone is out to get her.

But it will not be till further in the story that we, as viewers, learn of the plot that is afoot. It appears that there is more than one person that wants to marry the music teacher but all may not have the best plan at heart. Holmes, along with Dr Watson, must seek the reason for her troubles.

There are actually some nice scenes in this episode. From the exchange between Holmes to Watson about his useless undercover work, to Holmes fancy footwork in a fist-o-cuffs in a local pub- both very humorous situations. But do not think this is all smiles and laughter as some noticeable gun play will fill the afternoon air when the plot starts to climax. An entertaining show that was a pleasure to watch.

John Castle. If he had gone and based himself in the USA when he was younger, I am convinced he would had an Oscar to show for it.

Castle plays Carruthers a man who has arrived from South Africa along with the more brutish Woodley.

Carruthers has hired young Violet Smith to be the music teacher for his daughter. Carruthers knew Violet's uncle in South Africa and he makes sure that it is a well paid job.

Violet has consulted Sherlock Holmes because she thinks that she is being followed when she cycles to and from the train station when she visits her mother in London. Each time the strange looking man is there keeping a distance.

Holmes sends Dr Watson at first to keep a lookout and is most disappointed with his endeavours. Then Holmes goes to the country pub and meets Woodley where he engages in a fight with him. He also finds out about a nasty defrocked priest.

Holmes also reckons that Violet Smith is in danger and it is all to do with her uncle in South Africa.

Although this is in some ways a simple tale it is terrifically realised by Alan Plater. You have a sense of who the cyclist following the young lady might be but it takes Holmes to put it all together.

There are some lovely countryside scenes but you also get a sense that Jeremy Brett is already comfortable in the role and the way he shows his irritable side to Watson.

This is one of my favorite episodes in the entire series of Sherlock Holmes.

This episode has all that is good in the ITV Classic.

The beautiful Barbara Wilshere as the cyclist in peril, A vile villain in Michael Siberry as Woodley.

As always the costumes and places are simply stunning as is the acting from all.

What stands out for me is the excellent comedy from both Jeremy Brett and David Burke.I always laugh out loud in 2 scenes in paricular. Holmes explaining to Dr Watson hi utter failure in his stake out. And then Watson talking to himself unaware of Holmes earwigging

"Go to the nearest public-house. That is the centre of country gossip" - Watson

"Capital idea Watson ! " Bellows Holmes in sarcastic tone.

The only thing that tops this is the altercation in the Public House where the brutal thuggery of Woodley ( backfists Holmes sending him hurtling across the room )

Is given a lesson in gentlemanly pugilism ( "Only a ruffian uses the back of the fist ! "..... " and i sir am a gentleman " - Holmes and is quickly dealt with and is then given a round of applause by the patrons of the house.

My favorite ever Holmes line !

But having said that, it still keeps you baffled until Holmes clears up the whole mystery by deduction with just a little help from Watson. Jeremy Brett and David Burke are excellent as the sleuth and his doctor friend who are charmed by a young woman who tells them an intriguing story about being a solitary cyclist who is being followed by a strange man with a beard. She also tells them how she happened to meet two men, with a flashback showing how the younger man proposed marriage to her and became angry when she refused his advances.

John Castle and Michael Siberry are the gentlemen she describes as inviting her to teach Castle's daughter music lessons, but it turns out that there is an ulterior motive behind their seeking her to come and live in Castle's home. Some nice twists toward the end will keep the viewer engrossed in the story.

Nicely photographed in usual high style with lots of English countryside on display and some amusing banter between Holmes and Watson. One of the better entries in this series.

The Solitary Cyclist is a classic Sherlock Holmes episode. I do prefer just The Crooked Man, The Dancing Men and The Final Problem of the Adventures series, but this is easily one of the better episodes of that series to me. It is an evocatively made and visually splendid adaptation as usual, and the music is of hauntingly beautiful quality. The story is not too complicated and has some very pleasing twists and a great atmosphere, while the writing is sophisticated and sometimes droll in the banter with Holmes and Watson, the altercation in the Public House is one of the single best scenes of any of the Granada Holmes adaptations. The acting is great, Barbara Wilshire, John Castle and especially Michael Siberry are very effective in supporting roles and David Burke is a composed and playful Watson but Jeremy Brett superb Holmes again proves to be the main attraction. Overall, a classic. 9/10 Bethany Cox