The Continuing Relevance of Sherlock Holmes

“The Devil’s Foot” episode in the great Granada DVD set is so relevant to today with its references to chemical poisoning (the UK spy poisoning) and to allowing higher justice to have its way (Trump and maybe Trudeau today).

Holmes travels to Cornwall to recover from a pending nervous breakdown and is called to illuminate a bizarre episode at a nearby far estate where one woman dies and two brothers are driven mad overnight with no discernible cause, followed by a similar death by the remaining brother who reported the first crime. Nothing is what it seems to be and Holmes reveals two crimes and nearly dies himself in the process.

A very good script, the usual solid British acting along with Cornish atmosphere, and two special effects scenes at the core of the mystery. Certainly one of the weirdest episodes in the Holmes’ story canon and this adaptation works well right down to a satisfying just deserts ending the viewer will have little difficulty in agreeing with.

The Holmes stories continue to be timeless like all good literature of the forgotten past. This series is one of the best UK tv series ever done with the most definitive Holmes’ portrayal of all time by Jeremy Brett.

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