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The Return of Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four | 
| Actor: Jeremy Brett
Studio: MPI Home Video
Category: Video
List Price: $19.98
Buy Used: $1.42
You Save: $18.56 (93%)
Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 12971
Format: Color, Hifi Sound, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 120 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301480465
UPC: 030306017877
EAN: 9786301480468
ASIN: 6301480465
Theatrical Release Date: October 27, 1988
Release Date: March 1, 1995
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This 1987 feature version of the second Sherlock Holmes novel written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is faithful to the original story except in one important detail: Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) does not get the girl. Otherwise, the familiar tale of the death of Bartholomew Sholto and the theft of the Agra treasure is all here, featuring a snappy performance by Jeremy Brett as Holmes doing some of the finest investigative work of his career. The famous climax, a chase on the Thames in which Holmes is almost struck dead by an exotic weapon, is handled very well. Sherlockians may have a hard time not seeing Watson's romantic pursuit of Mary Morstan (Lila Kaye), his first wife according to Doyle's book, but it would hardly have been practical in the context of the long-running Granada Television series. The rest is to be enjoyed, however. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 10 more reviews...
 Toby saves the day! December 23, 2007
Patrick W. Crabtree (Lucasville, OH USA)
One of the superior Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes tales, "The Sign of Four" is ingeniously conveyed here with the great Jeremy Brett at the Helm.
This is a Granada (British) production which was originally aired over two separate PBS episodes, shown a week apart, which means that it's a nice, long (but not draggy!), DVD. Here's a much abbreviated version of the story:
A beautiful young lady (who much interests Watson!), comes to Holmes with a sympathetic story... her father, who had been a minor British officer serving in colonial India and whom had finally retired, has been missing in London for years and, now, there may be an end to the mystery in addition to the possibility that she's on the verge of becoming a rich woman. She's received an anonymous note to be available at a certain location to be transported to yet another unknown place to receive her just due and she wants Holmes and Watson to ride along to protect her as well as her prospective interests.
In the end, she meets an eccentric and fabulously wealthy son of her father's companion, who lives in a literal re-creation of Indian Culture. This son has a twin brother (who lives at their family estate, also in luxury), who is unfortunately found murdered, the family fortune in jewels and gold also having been lifted in the process!
It's the difficult job of Holmes, Watson, and the trusty K-9, "Toby" to set the whole mystery straight. This tale is one of the best Holmes films that ever originally emanated from Doyle and this particular rendering is quite excellent.
The cinematography is superb, the sets and locations are spot on and the action remains tight throughout -- no dragging.
Even rabid Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce Sherlock Holmes film purists would probably much enjoy this one if they gave it a chance.
We love it! June 10, 2006
Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Every once in a while, an actor comes along who not only plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, but actually redefines the role. In 1984, veteran actor Jeremy Brett (1933-95) actually did it yet again! And now, these wonderful Granada Television episodes are available on DVD.
This wonderful DVD has a feature length (running time of 1:42) edition of The Sign of Four, which was originally aired in December 1987 as two episodes. In this story, Sherlock Holmes is called upon by a young lady who needs the great detective's help with a mystery. However, when this mystery leads to murder, Holmes must seek to uncover secrets that have lain hidden for many years, and have their roots in treacheries upon treacheries in far-off India. There's a one-legged man who is at the center of this mystery, and he has a murderous friend who may just be the end of Sherlock Holmes!
My family and I loved this DVD, and think that any fan of Sherlock Holmes, or just plain fan of mysteries, will love it, too! By the way, you'll notice Dr. Watson staring out the window at Miss Morstan, later on in the Holmes stories, she and Watson were married!
Sherlock gets Hit by a Poisonous Dart!! May 5, 2005
Stephen Pletko (London, Ontario, Canada)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
+++++
This movie is based on the novel "The Sign of Four" (1890) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 to 1930).
This movie begins simply enough with a Mary Morstan (contrary to the editorial review above, this part is played by Jenny Seagrove) who, after the mysterious disappearance of her father, starts receiving each year as a present a rare pearl. Who is the person sending her this gift and why? Mary consults with Sherlock (Jeremy Brett) because all of a sudden the person sending her the gift wants to meet her. Dr. Watson (Edward Hardwicke) also finds this case intriguing and, as well, is smitten with the beautiful Miss Morstan.
As Sherlock and Watson investigate, they uncover an even bigger case involving a hidden treasure and a murderer whose calling card is "the sign of four."
Holmes and Watson also uncover a host of odd characters. They also encounter an odd couple: sailor John Small (John Thaw) and Little Tonga (Kiran Shaw).
This is one of the few stories where Sherlock enlists the help of others to help him solve the case. Specifically, these are Toby and "The Irregulars."
There is also an exciting boat chase where Sherlock gets shot with a poisonous dart.
My favorite Sherlock Holmes' line from Conan Doyle's works is included in this movie:
"Once you have eliminated the impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Brett, as ususal, does a good job of capturing the essence of the famous gumshoe in his performance. Also look for the fine performance of John Thaw as the sailor.
Finally, the costumes, background music, and cinematography are quite well done.
In conclusion, this is a good movie to watch even if you have read the novel it's based on!!
(1987; 2 hr; British drama; made for TV; full screen)
+++++
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