The Priory School

It's not often someone bursts into your room, and hurls themselves on the rug, but that's what Holmes is faced with.

It's a good mystery, which presents a good deal of intrigue, not one but two disappearances. Brett is at his absolute best, he is commanding, incredibly intelligent, at his very best I would say.

It's an episode very much of the time period it's set in, to be born out of wedlock in those days would have indeed presented huge challenges.

It's a very good episode. I've always thought this to be one of the best looking episodes, it must be the combination of buildings and music, it is a terrific production. The glorious buildings used look mightily impressive, particularly the one used for Holderness Hall.

The service in the Inn is questionable, no review on Trip advisor I fear.

Very good indeed. 8/10

What happened to the Duke's son at the Priory School? Did he run away with the assistance of the missing German master, or has he been abducted? This looks like a job for Sherlock Holmes!

This time around, the significant changes to the story actually enhance it.

Jeremy Brett and Edward Harwicke are, once again, the consummate Holmes and Watson. The guest stars are a mixed bag. Christopher Benjamin is a delight as the prim school master who makes what may be the most interesting entrance to Baker Street in the Canon. Well-regarded actor Alan Howard, on the other hand, comes off as a trifle dull.

Nevertheless, Brett & Co. Present another great episode of "The Return of Sherlock Holmes."

And it's fun watching Holmes and Watson on bicycles.

Sherlock Holmes is hired by Dr. Huxtable, the headmaster of prestigious preparatory school Priory School. One of their students, the son of the Duke of Holdernesse, has disappeared but no ransom has been demanded. Also missing is Mr. Heidegger, the German master.

Great episode in the Sherlock Holmes series. Has the usual intrigue, delightfully Victorian settings and the wonderfully quirky and engaging performance by Jeremy Brett as Holmes.

Not among the best though. The plot feels a bit clumsy at times and from a point the perpetrators are reasonably obvious. Not a major problem but the episode doesn't quite have the tightness and gloss that most episodes have.

Stunningly skillful use of Chatsworth House and it's environs in the Derbyshire Dales (far more mean and moody than her more famous Yorkshire rivals in my opinion) help to shape the slow unraveling thread of this tale which is timed to perfection if you will. The weakest spots were the characterisations by the cast. In Doyle's short story, the Duke was a hot headed foul tempered man who saw himself as untouchable and beyond reproach - as the aristocracy very much were in the mid 19th century, however comes over as far too reasonable. Dr Huxtable comes over as more like the Duke's character in the story instead of Doyle's more subservient Huxtable.

For someone currently baking in the elongated Thai hot season which seems to never want to end this year, the views of a cool and damp Derbyshire set an Englishman in exile's heart aflame.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. The Priory School is a good, solid entry in the series. I do agree though the adaptation could have elaborated more on the glass case in the foyer clue, and there are moments when the pace feels sluggish. However, when it comes to the production values and music, The Priory School can't be faulted. The photography, sets, scenery and costumes are authentic and add to the atmosphere and once again the music is both beautiful and haunting. The story is one of the most interesting of the series and is told very well, the script is sophisticated and thoughtful-plus the episode has some of the funniest ever Sherlock Holmes moments involving Watson and food and a quite intense climatic scene- and John Madden's direction is appropriately skilled while not feeling too overdone or low-key. The acting is great as usual, Jeremy Brett is straightforward yet commanding and Edward Hardwicke is loyal and composed, while the support cast are all solid without standing out especially particularly. Overall, it is a good entry. 8/10 Bethany Cox