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Sherlock Holmes...

gnomon

Well-Known Member
Who is our favorite actor and why?

Just something to discuss. I don't have a particular one because I like Jeremy Brett, Basil Rathbone and Benedict Cumberbatch. Brett and Cumberbatch being my two favorites because they carry forth the egoism of Sherlock in my opinion. Though Basil's version of gentility still is one of my favorites.

I guess to kick off the discussion I find Downey's version lesser than those three.

Anyone else have a favorite such as Peter Cushing?
 

Mickdrew

Member
Depends what you're looking for from a portrayal. I generally look for an actor that best captures the character from the novels and short stories.

Basil Rathbone most personifies the look and mannerisms of what I'd expect Sherlock Holmes from the original stories to be like (though he might be a tad too formal)

Jeremy Brett captures Holme's eccentricities in a way that Rathbone couldn't, and his portrayal is wonderful in its own right. The problem is that Brett is too grandiose and Shakespearean to fit Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes. Each time I see Brett, I see a stage actor - not a calculating thinker.

Benedict Cumberbatch is a great portrayal of Holmes for the modern day, but there is no way to say he's most comparable to the literary character; He's way too snide and snarky.

I guess Rathbone would be my personal favourite out of the big 3 (I choose to not acknowledge RDJ's version). There are many other actors, but it would take forever to go through them haha

Once again: I'm basing this on what I view closest to the Sherlock Holmes I read about. If you want an entertaining portrayal in and of itself, then obviously you'll see things differently.
 

gnomon

Well-Known Member
Jeremy Brett & Jonny Lee Miller are tops.....IMO.

I have to admit I have yet to watch Elementary because I'm not a fan of Lucy Liu. I do like Jonny Lee Miller since Trainspotting but.......is Lucy Liu a decent Watson character?
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I have to admit I have yet to watch Elementary because I'm not a fan of Lucy Liu. I do like Jonny Lee Miller since Trainspotting but.......is Lucy Liu a decent Watson character?
She's credible & interesting.
But I want to make changes to her wardrobe.
 

gnomon

Well-Known Member
I'll check it out sometime.

Have you ever watched Basil? Or has anyone here seen Peter Cushing's performance? I haven't.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I'll check it out sometime.
Have you ever watched Basil? Or has anyone here seen Peter Cushing's performance? I haven't.
I'd have watched Basil a long long time ago.
I recall not being entertained, especially by Watson, who seemed a fuddy duddy.
 

gnomon

Well-Known Member
I'd have watched Basil a long long time ago.
I recall not being entertained, especially by Watson, who seemed a fuddy duddy.

I have to agree with that. Watson in the early renditions was not a strong character. I guess that is why I like Martin Freeman in the newer incarnation. I still need to check out Elementary.
 

Revoltingest

Pragmatic Libertarian
Premium Member
I have to agree with that. Watson in the early renditions was not a strong character. I guess that is why I like Martin Freeman in the newer incarnation. I still need to check out Elementary.
Yes, Freeman's Watson is a good one.
 
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