The Problem of Thor Bridge

As some may be aware already, I am a big fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and Granada adaptations. The Problem of Thor Bridge is one of the better adaptations/episodes of The Case-book of Sherlock Holmes. The pace is very solid on the whole, but there are one or two scenes with perhaps one too many pauses between each action. The story is very interesting with a solution that is clever and not too obvious. The production values are wonderful and very evocative costumes and sets wise while the photography is lovely. As always, the music is hauntingly beautiful, the writing thoughtful, the direction impressive and the acting outstanding not just the note-perfect performances from Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke but also Daniel Massey. In conclusion, very enjoyable. 9/10 Bethany Cox

A woman swears revenge against a governess, whom she claims alienated the affections of her children and her husband. Be that as it may, this woman is found murdered on the titled bridge with a bullet in her head. Because a gun of the caliber of murder weapon is found in the governess's drawer, she is arrested for the murder. She finds herself in prison and Holmes and Watson are called in. They must figure out how what appears to be murder may be anything but. The bridge, itself, becomes a bit of a character in the process of unraveling the facts. I really like this story and the methodology as become a bit of a staple for future mysteries. I have to say that when this concluded, I was reminded of the type of mystery that Peter Falk's "Columbo" may have faced.

The story is a fine adaptation of the original story, but the best part is the background music in the opening. It's an excellent reworking of the theme, giving an additional air of suspense. Patrick Gowers surpassed himself on this episode!

Neil Gibson (Daniel Massey) is an American tycoon who made his fortune in Brazil.

He asks Holmes to investigate the murder of his estranged Brazilian wife Maria. The accused is his children's governess, Grace Dunbar, a woman Gibson has fallen in love with.

Holmes dislikes the volatile Gibson. However he does want to help Miss Dunbar. The marriage to Maria was an unhappy one for him. Gibson had simply ceased to lover her and he treated her badly. Maria always loved him passionately and still hoped to be reconciled.

There is some intense hostility between Brett and Massey. It could be good acting or the fact that Brett was once married to Massey's sister.

What makes this mystery a good one is the solution. A variation of this has been repeated since in other books and crime adaptations. The viewer is left with a small band of suspects with the cruel Gibson being the likely murderer if it is not Muss Dunbar.

Yet Miss Dunbar describes Gibson as someone who has shown kindness and has done good things. Eventually Holmes deduces that their can only be one person responsible for Maria's death.

In this episode a grouchy American who looks like Mark Twain having a rough day, tries to bully Holmes while wanting to free his governess. This is a great episode. It has everything from the hot blooded Brazilian wife to the young beautiful innocent governess accused of killing the wife. The only thing unbelievable is that the two women would fall so hard for such a rude grouch. Of course he is the gold king so I guess that has something to do with his magnetism.

I also found it humorous that the ugly American had been a senator of some western state. I guess those states out west aren't very discriminating when it comes to electing senators. Present day Missouri comes to mind.