I caught The Hound of the Baskerville's on TV last night. It's one of my favourite Victorian gothic tales and a stroke of genius by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
It's mix of science, moorland, tors, murk and the supernatural is simply fantastic and I watch at least one version every Christmas.
Last night's was the modernish Roxburgh Hart one from 2002 and second only to the Cushing Hammer horror version in my mind.
Having said that there are 20 odd versions of the Hound's tale on film and TV, most of which have eluded me, including the early Basil Rathbone film, which I've never seen either. That's something I need to sort out this new year.
For me, the Watson character, that Ian Hart plays in the 2002 flick, holds real allure. He's an unattached man of action - unlike me! - and will turn his hand to anything. He also wears fabulous Tweedy trousers and jackets, eats posh nosh constantly and carries all sorts of gear a bit like Batman! Telescope, binoculars and even a revolver, which is always unusual, seeing a British man with a gun! Yes, I can see myself being Watson in another life!
How about you? Holmes, Watson, Mortimer or Stapleton?
Checking the Radio Times I see that the Christopher Plummer Sherlock vehicle, Murder by Decree, is on tonight here in Blighty. 9pm Legend Xtra, sadly a channel, Freeview 69, which I cannot get, despite re-tuning the telly. Doh!
I'll see if it's on Prime.
Do you like Sherlock Holmes films readers?
