"'Twins are attracting danger'

This more recent film is excellent because it uses the modern story telling technique, and technology, of the 21sy century. For example the editing is quite creative. In this film Sherlock Holmes is more advanced in his life since Dr Watson is going to get married and he is depicted as addicted to both opium and heroine. The second characteristic is that he collaborates better with Scotland Yard and even accepts or condescends to have a desk there. The film is extremely hostile at least, if not even worse, against the aristocracy. It is unimaginable how much this case turns around a lady Chatterley's lover syndrome. And these nobles, in that case a woman, who makes up with the system by cheating it in its back, are unethical to the utmost. That lady prefers seeing young girls in good families around her disappear in the hands of a sadistic serial killer rather than even acknowledging her definitely dangerous liaison. The film is also more realistic about the dirty reality of Victorian and Edwardian England. Even with the nobles and their palaces, dust, dirt and even slime is just under the surface. Don't scratch too much, and I am not only talking of the slime you discard in a dustbin or a garbage can. The whole case is endangered though by some careless acts of the police. They don't seem to know about handcuffs and of course do not carry guns. On the other side Sherlock Holmes playing it psychological, even psychiatric and definitely ruthless leads him close to the truth but he escapes catastrophe out of pure luck. He is too sure of himself, vain with his superiority, in fact the idea of opium and heroine is a genial idea from Sir Conan Doyle: it explains that superiority complex the man has. He does not have a chip on the shoulder, nor a stick up his nose, but he sure carries the whole world on his shoulders, at least so he thinks."

Jacques Coulardeau

"'A fine new adventure for Holmes'

Set sometime after the Conan Doyle's stories, the script is lifted out of simple pastiche by the manner in which Cubitt moves the central characters' relationship on. Holmes and Watson are older and while the detective's life has, to some extent, stagnated, the good doctor's has moved on in both professional and personal arenas.
This of course changes when Holmes begins investigating a series of murders, all involving young women with beautiful feet and strangulation via the titular hosiery.
Hart continues to be wonderful as Watson, while Everett makes for a very captivating and atypical Holmes - while the flashes of intellectual brilliance are still there, his Holmes is somewhat more vulnerable and out-of-place or even out-of-time than the character is presented by Conan Doyle.
The creators of this tale have taken the legacy of Holmes seriously and have come up with a very worthy and, more importantly, fantastically exciting tale."

C. DeRiemer

"Best Sherlock ever...

"The music score, alone, in and of itself is captivating......This is not the stodgy Sherlock Holmes of yesterday... Open our minds, let them not be closed or narrowed. Wise men and women still look ahead, beyond the horizon. This film portrays a couple of really cool characters, (reminiscent of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Sherlock is, yes, flawed, aren't we all ????? Yet brilliant and heroic in his pursuit of ruthless, demented minds....Both lead characters are very believeable.. easy to relate to.. and Sherlocks' techniques in seeking clues are most inspiring..PBS Masterpiece Theatre gives us only high quality work.. This film is only for those who are above the usual fare seen on commercial television. (no disrepect intended, just a different type) I am happy to see a departure from the near comatose Sherlock of old to a new, younger and vibrant Detective and Doctor Watson, both still totally dedicated and passionate in the cause of justice, and saving souls. The drama....photography, performance, and script is exemplary......"

The Eagles Observe

"'Surprisingly Good'

I honestly didn't expect much from this film. I've been a Sherlockian since I was 11 and have watched a lot of mostly bad Holmes films. But this one was very pleasantly surprising. I like Everett's job as Holmes. I thought he played Holmes as more upper-class and more formal than some (Brett, for example). I was impressed with the writing, especially in the scenes between Holmes and Watson. I was intrigued and enjoyed myself. I can say this is one of my favorite film versions of Holmes."

Kim

"'Hoping for some sort of series'

I really enjoyed this movie. I do love the Jeremy Brett films, but they're still.... um... 'decent' I guess is the word. I don't think I ever even heard the word 'RAPE' in the Brett series. This was darker, more outgoing with a few twists-but i did feel that since the beginning, the writer wanted you to be part of solving it, and gave the audience clues. Highly recommend for anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes."

M.Feagin

"Part of this film were filmed at a house that I am restoring and I have seen what went on behind the scenes. It is wonderfully shot, well edited, brilliantly cast and scary."

D.Pyke

"'A darker, conflicted, more relatable Holmes'

I thoroughly enjoyed this rendition of Holmes and Watson. Rupert Everett's delivery of Holmes is much more interesting than any other I've seen. He's got a bit of an opium problem... Fortunately for us, an odd murder is enough to inspire Holmes to return to his work. The mysterious killings are interesting and not easily solved. The cinematography, clothing, and cast were well done! And Watson's fiancee jenny vandeleur adds to the interest by testing holmes' distrust of women. I wish this was part of a series."

J.Kingman