The Boscombe Valley Mystery

I enjoy this episode, it's a good solid mystery with a love story narrative running through the episode. It's not an episode with a striking story, or a particularly unique plot, but there is enough quality, with incredible production values to make this a particularly enjoyable watch.

A fresh faced James Purefoy is very good, but it's Peter Vaughan he makes it, he is terrific in it. It's just a shame it takes so long for us to see him, his Aussie accent was pretty good.

It is later in the series for Brett, but he still has huge command in the role, he's wonderfully sarcastic, and physical, the amusing way he lands on the floor.

It's nice to have a change from Leatrade, it at least adds something a little different.

Now here's an example of a Holmes adaptation that is almost precisely as in the story. Inspector Lestrade is substituted by a more gentle fellow for some reason, and a key clue (the cry of "Cooee") is absent. But by and large this contains every element of the story and nearly every line of dialog.

And its pretty bad storytelling. If there was ever an example of how the detective mechanics of books and film differ, its here. This isn't the worst of the Brett adaptations. But it lacks energy. And Brett of course is in a funk himself.

What makes it truly pleasant is the sets. Everything about this is ordinary except the sets which someone really made into complex, clever, interesting and beautiful spaces. Every shot is set is a wonderful place shown wonderfully.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

This is a good story well presented and well acted. It has a very appealing hero and heroine. Holmes and Watson are in good form.

Unfortunately it is late in both the canon and in the wonderful Sherlock Homes series with Jeremy Brett. Brett is showing his age and his declining health. As for the plot itself, it seems that Doyle was recycling some plot elements from earlier stories. Those who have seen or read quite a few earlier episodes will see haunting parallels.

Still, I enjoyed it. I love Jeremy Brett and I love this series of Holmes stories.

• henry

I enjoyed this episode more than I was expecting to, based on some of the other reviews here. The reviews are incorrect however - this story is from EARLY in The Canon (1891), not late - so it came as no surprise that the conclusion of the reviews was well, a matter of opinion. The fact that Granada chose to mix and match stories from 'The Adventures..' into 'The case-book..' was odd, but does not change the order in which the author wrote the originals!

The episode featured the usual remarkable performance from Jeremy Brett and an excellent supporting cast. Peter Vaughan was wonderful as Turner. The silent exchange of glances between him and Holmes was glorious, moving and superbly executed by both actors, even if not quite true to the original (where Holmes 'reads' Turners weary look, rather than having an 'eyes only' conversation with him!).

Odd that a screenplay so faithful to the original should omit both the coooeee and the 'grey cloth' clues. Why? It made no sense! I'm sure Holmes himself would struggle to explain THAT decision....especially as it robbed him of the 2 of the strongest links in his chain of events.

Still, the wonderful acting, superb sets and still generally excellent production values (notwithstanding the above) were enough to make this episode worth watching and nearly as good as the earlier ones, despite dear Jeremy's failing health.

We have what appears to be an open and shut case, but these are never open and shut. A man has been murdered after an argument with his son. The son is now in prison, awaiting the hangman. A young woman in love (of course) with the son employs Holmes to exonerate him. Thanks to the police and their "herd of buffalo" mentality, some rather innocent clues are overlooked. Nothing is innocent to Holmes and he follows through. It seems that the key to many Holmes story is his belief in his client. It allows him to try to piece together what obtuse leavings there are. As with many of the stories of the time, if we are to have a satisfactory conclusion take place, we must depend on fortunate twists coming into play. It's not a bad thing, but contemporary readers or viewers would probably be rather unforgiving. The episode is well cast and presented, mostly true to the original story although a couple of pretty significant events are ignored.