The Man with the Twisted Lip

There are a number of really excellent episodes in the first two series of Granada's mostly excellent Sherlock Holmes adaptations , but for me this episode is one of the best of the best.

I honestly can't fault it, from the writing to the acting to the direction and haunting score.

It's absolutely perfect.

I can't explain the idea behind The Man With The Twisted Lip since that in itself would give the whole thing away. I only wish the story had been better developed as the idea was an original one.

Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke as the intrepid Holmes and Watson are called in on a missing persons case in which foul play is suspected. More than suspected because the woman who requested aid from Holmes and Watson actually saw her husband from the second story of an opium den in a seamy part of London. But by the time she got up there, he was gone and articles of clothes were later found in the Thames.

A rather scholarly beggar is arrested for the crime of murder, but it all doesn't add up. In other words it all isn't quite so elementary, even Dr. Watson is suspicious.

Eleanor David is the woman who hires Holmes and Clive Francis has an interesting role as the beggar with a knowledge of the classics.

I think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had the kernel of a good idea, but he didn't develop it all that well. Still Baker Street purists will like it.

While extricating a friend from a notorious opium Dr. Watson runs into Sherlock Holmes, in disguise. Holmes then explains his reason for being there: the husband of his client has disappeared and was last sighted at the den. Holmes fears the worst.

An intriguing episode of Sherlock Holmes. Good set up, started off in original fashion by segueing from a Dr Watson adventure. Some good plot developments, a good twist and the usual impeccable, wonderfully quirky and nuanced performance from Jeremy Brett make for a very interesting episode.

Not perfect though. The twist is maybe a touch predictable. The backstory is maybe a bit implausible. Still, a great episode.

It had been Holmes' painful duty to inform a loving, loyal and utterly determined wife that all hope was gone - her beloved respectable husband was dead, murdered in all probability by a crippled filthy beggar in some loathsome Thameside shack.

Of all the episodes in this famed TV series, the denouement to this story stands alone. Inspector Bradshaw of the "Yard" is forced in that moment to review his full 27 years of service and unable to find its like, Holmes cusses himself as a fool for failing to see what stood before his face and Watson - and the viewer - can merely stare in silent amazement. The equipment necessary for Holmes to reveal the true culprit was of the simplest kind, to be found in every household yet only Holmes could have revealed the secret and saved an innocent man from the gallows.

Fellow Agatha Christie fans may agree with me, when I say I see parallels between this outing for Holmes and Watson, and Poirot's 'The disappearance of Mr Davenheim.' Lots of parallels between the two.

I am a fan of this episode, I really like the story, it darkens as it deepens. Also there was an energy, an exuberance in these early episodes, it's slick and fast paced. Great performances all round, from the supporting cast, Eleanor David and Clive Francis are on fine form. Francis steals it.

As always the production values are sublime, the costumes and sets, even the opening credits, the music player being robbed etc. There is a depressingly grim realism about the scenes in the opium den, the accompanying music works well, so dark.