Top actors take the roles of sleuths for this second volume of detective mysteries set in Edwardian England. Essential watching for all Holmesians says Barry Forshaw.
The fondly remembered second series of The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (based on adaptations of pieces by writers inspired by the Conan Doyle canon) is as fascinating as the first collection; no pale pastiches on offer here, but inspired efforts, paying homage to the Great Detective, adding fresh spins and unusual notions.
Hugh Carleton Greene’s much-loved anthology of Victorian and Edwardian detective fiction was the inspiration, and the second series showcases vividly rendered incarnations of sleuthing gentlemen in England situated elsewhere then 221b Baker Street, each taking on arcane and bizarre mysteries, very much in the fashion of Doyle’s detective. The series gleaned a BAFTA, and tempted a cherishable collection of actors to come aboard to play a variety of brilliant eccentrics, including John Thaw, Charles Gray, Derek Jacobi, Joss Ackland, Jean Marsh, Michael Sheard and Richard Beckinsale.
This intriguing box boasts thirteen episodes, not all top drawer, but with nary a misfire in the set. It’s an unmissable collection for all Holmesians.
Based on the best-selling anthologies of Victorian and Edwardian detective fiction, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes showcases the world-famous consulting detective’s fictional rivals in the fog-shrouded crime capital of London.
Set in the three decades before the Great War, each story dealt with an individual and perplexing case (and a different detective). This top-flight, BAFTA-winning series attracted an incredible array of talent, including John Thaw, Derek Jacobi, Joss Ackland, Jean Marsh, Michael Sheard and Richard Beckinsale.
This set contains 13 high-quality episodes, comprising the complete second series.
