DVD: Sherlock Holmes: Hound Of The Baskervilles
BBC Americas Home Video
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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BBC's recent take on the Doyle classic has probably ruffled the feathers of Holmes purists all over the world. While the acting isn't terrible, Richard Roxburgh's Holmes and Ian Hart's Watson are so far from recognizable in a literary sense it boggles the mind. In the short "Making Of" extra feature, they speak of taking chances with the roles, and boy... they were putting it lightly. We see Holmes tying off and shooting up (something that doesn't fit into the Doyle character's true nature, and even if you want to argue about subtle hints in one or two stories, he wouldn't be a junkie getting high during a case), and we see a nudge-nudge wink-wink insinuation that Holmes and Watson are lovers. The plot itself is messed with considerably and although it would be exciting to someone who never heard of the original, it leaves the rest of us wanting. I'm all for taking a few chances, but this is a little like remaking The Wizard of Oz with the NBA Players Association members cast as the Munchkins and Russell Crowe playing Dorothy as he makes his way down the Red Clay Trail to Sapphire City. As a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his creations, I must protest.

© 2003 - DJ Johnson