30 Days of Sherlock Holmes

[capt_facepalm]

Day 27 – A Story You Wish Had Been Adapted

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good fangirl (so far) this year.

I would really like a decent gaslight version of A Study in Scarlet.
You can skip or skim the Morman backstory if you wish.

Thanks,

~CFP

Comments

[med_cat]

Have you seen the Russian version?

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

*sobs*
I have no access to the Russian series.

[med_cat]

Oh but you do! With good quality English subtitles, here: the whole series--enjoy and pray let me know what you think!

http://video.kylekeeton.com/2007/03/sherlock-holmes-and-dr-watson-on.html

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Dear Santa,

Thank you very much for the Russian Sherlock Holmes link.

Next year, could I please have a high speed connection so I can watch one whole episode in an evening.

(If it isn't too much to ask)

Thanks,

~CFP

[med_cat]

You can also buy it on Amazon...might cost less than the high-speed connection ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I checked! No copies available except $80.00 for a used set.

[med_cat]

Still cheaper than a few months or a year of high-speed internet.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

BUT WE HAVE THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS ASiP!

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Did someone mention 'gaslight'? Because I could have sworn that I mentioned it!

ASiP is genius. I love it.
Now, please give me a true Victorian version!
(With extra fog and Hansom cabs!)

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

:-P

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Vitaly Solomin is the cutest Watson.
Just saying!

[med_cat]

He is, isn't he? Have you managed to watch any of the series? What do you think so far? ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Funny you should ask... I have discovered that before 0800, and after 1600, the internet at work is extremely fast. So, I have now seen the first two episodes.

I really like the elements from A Study in Scarlet that appeared in both. Poor Holmes does suffer from Deerstalke-ritis whenever he goes out about town. But, that is a common Holmsian affliction!

I like Watson. He ranges from being downcast to indignant to embarrassed quite well. Takes a couple of whumpings along the way too.

I had a bad feeling when Lestrade brought Toby along. Gregson and Lestrade and their animosity are well-played. And Watson's righteous indignation at the final coverage in the papers is a nod to both canon and the popularity of Doyle himself!

[med_cat]

Hee, interesting observations ;)

Do you find the series too emotional, esp. when compared to Granada?

And if you would like, there are some interesting observations from the actors and director I'd translated, look under the "russian sh series" tag.

[med_cat]

http://alek-morse.livejournal.com/40558.html?view=1067630#t1067630

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen enough of the series yet to comment, but I do not mind that Holmes is watchful of Watson's actions and mindful of his state of mind. The Holmes of ACD canon can be too harsh towards his Boswell at times. And I think Granada tried to stick to that line as much as possible. Did the Russian series go too far in the other direction? It is too early for me to speculate.

Unlike Holmes, I do not mind tinges of romanticism. I have to think that Holmes and Watson had a friendship built on mutual respect for each others abilities, and that they actually liked each other.

The scene I liked very much was where Watson was depressed that he would not be able to discuss such things as philosophy, history and art with his new flatmate, and Holmes is all:

"Cheer up Watson! It is only because I am a weirdo that I am like this... in fact I am probably the only one in the world like me (and therefore you will be able to speak of these things with others)"

If you go by canon (and I do whenever it suits my convenience), Watson is very lonely and bored when he first lands in Baker St. So, even if the Russian Watson is healthier than indicated in canon, the loneliness comes through. This pleases me.

[med_cat]

Agreed ;) And yes, I found Granada the closest to the canon.

Oh, you'll enjoy the rest of the series...watch the oatmeal jokes in the Hound ;)

The scene I loved in the first episode was when Holmes is scraping upon the violin, awakening Watson, who stumbles out of bed, and Holmes is like, "oh it helps me think"

Watson, groggily peering at his pocket watch, "it would've been better if you thought abt the fact that it's 3 am...I thought either someone was sick or a cat got stuck in the drain pipe!"

and the eye in the glass of water...priceless! :P Poor Watson, his hand actually trembles...

[med_cat]

Have you two seen there's another version of Study in Scarlet? I can find the link if you like--it was an OK one--from one of the lesser-known series; it was posted to YT by AutumnAtMidnite

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Yes! And then he goes back to his room and NOT to bed. He is sitting up clutching a blanket, and grimacing as he tries to swallow his analgesic powder without water. Bleah!

[med_cat]

Oh yes...oh you'll love the Russian EMPT...the scene where Holmes returns...:P

(see if you can spot a blooper in that scene when you watch it ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

ohhhh... I am hating Russian!Lestrade!

[med_cat]

Haha, why? Oh and you know it's one actor playing Lestrade, but the voice is another actor's? Same for Moriarty! :P

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Why hate Russian!Lestrade? Because he suspected poor cute!Watson of the murder of Ronald Adair! That's why!

And the voicing of evil characters by separate actors has a long tradition. So, it should come to no surprise that Russian!Lestrade (who is evil in my books), and Moriarty (who is evil in everybody's books), follow in the great tradition of Darth Vader!

[med_cat]

Haha! With Russian!Lestrade, it was 'cause the actor who plays him has a very strong Ukrainian accent, they said (although as Lestrade is speaking Russian, I don't know why it would've mattered...:P)

oh yes poor suspected Watson...the scene where Holmes comes back...you'll see what I mean--have you watched it yet?

And yes as to Moriarty, it was voiced by another actor who had a suitably sinister voice.

That's very interesting, didn't know abt the tradition ;) Looks of one actor and voice of another, eh?

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Please send a link... my expert searching skills found an animated version from 1984 which was not bad as far as following canon storylines, but the Watson was too old for my tastes. Lestrade and Gregson were in character, but did not match their canon physical descriptions. Holmes suffers from 'deerstalker-itis' here too. The wild west backstory was maintained and the Mormonism was kept out of the back story (thankfully). Not bad, but could be better.

[med_cat]

Ah here 'tis, 'twas by MemorieLane1980 (who later switched her username elsewhere to AutumnAtMidnite): this ep is from 1980

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uKHaCBsqKE

(this is pt.1, pt. 2 is on the same channel as you'll see)

Let me know what you think!

Would you show me the link to the animated version you mention, from 1984? I'm curious to have a look ;)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link!
And, in return, here is The link to the animation
It is a playlist of the 4 sections.

[med_cat]

Thanks!

what abt this one?

[med_cat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c97sL8Yhysw&feature=fvwrel

P.S. or these two?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dRPX5kNwIA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRMS5r4RogA&feature=related

Re: what abt this one?

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

I have the first one on a compilation DVD. (It is dreadful!)
The second one shows a lot of promise, and the third is absolutely LULZ.

Re: what abt this one?

[med_cat]

hee hee not watched any of them yet but will check them out in the next few days ;)

Regarding the animated version to which you gave me the link, you are quite right--I watched a few minutes of it and I don't think I'll watch any more...

Let me know what you think of that 1980 version!