A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

Sherlock Holmes was only ever once outsmarted by a woman. His philosophies concerning the female gender were generally distant and unimpressed. He was "wary" of their intellect, and regarded them as dangerous. But in the case of Irene Adler, Holmes made an exception. Her story is told in A Scandal in Bohemia, one of the earliest and finest of the Sherlock Holmes stories produced by Granada. This initial episode introduces us to the eccentric, playful Holmes so well known by his thousands of literary fans, and also provides us the opportunity to watch one of the more tantalizing canon stories unfold.

After a brief absence from Baker Street, Dr. Watson (David Burke) returns fearful of his findings. Sherlock Holmes (Jeremy Brett) is a constantly changing individual, sometimes in the height of his exuberance, at others wallowing in melancholy. On this occasion he's in high spirits, having just received a mysterious letter from an unknown client. The German-inspired note requests his presence at home at the hour of eight that very evening, and promises the price will be well worth his while. Insisting Watson remain to greet the newcomer, Holmes astounds their masked visitor by acknowledging him as the crown king of Bohemia. The problem is singular but unimaginative: the monarch had a former indiscretion in his youth with a woman by the name of Irene Adler. A woman of great beauty and repute, she has the singing voice of an angel and the personality of a queen.

The king requires Holmes to obtain a photograph Irene has of them together, taken in one of his rare cameo shoots. Irene has threatened to reveal it the day of his formal engagement to a foreign princess, thereby threatening the match and extracting her revenge. But Irene is clever. His Majesty has sent agents on four separate occasions to break in and search the house. He's waylaid her luggage, offered to pay her a high price... but there's never any sign of the photograph. Holmes has three days in which to obtain this important document. But this is one case where the hunter may become the hunted. Irene is no simpleton, however generous and sweet she turns out to be. These complexities---in an almost direct-from-page-to-screen adaptation---make this sixty-minute episode one of the more fascinating in the series.

I'm not very fond of Jeremy Brett, having only seen some the later episodes in which he's much too lethargic to play Holmes. But having observed A Scandal in Bohemia, I realized for the first time why he was cast as the eccentric occupant of the flat above Baker Street. Brett truly shines from beginning to end, opening with his humorous thoughts on a "seven percent solution" of cocaine (Watson believes he's been indulging, which proves to be false), to the final shot of him playing his violin. The disguises he adopts are particularly fantastic, and Brett manages to alter his voice, expressions, walk, even his smile to suit whatever role he's playing... that of a surly redheaded Irish groom, or the well-meaning clergyman. The silent battle of wits that engages between him and Irene is splendid.

David Burke is exceptional as Watson. He's excitable but not absurd. One can easily accept him as a physician and writer. Supporting actors are also proficient in their roles. The costuming and set design are beautiful, carrying a romantic but slightly threatening air. Overall the production is well worth viewing and lacks any problematic areas except for a few mild abuses of deity. Nothing scandalous is ever hinted at in the flashbacks of romance between the King and Irene. Her reasons for keeping the photograph are completely above board and only prove her intelligence. Holmes loses a little face but never seems resentful of it, instead marveling at so keen a woman. Having always loved the original story, I was happy to see it kept almost exactly to Doyle's tale, right down to the dialogue. The cinematography in early scenes is also quite stunning... a darkened Baker Street lit by candlelight.

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