World Famous Comics: Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four
Sherlock Holmes - The Sign of Four
Starring: Ian Richardson, David Healy, Cherie Lunghi, Joe Melia, Terence Rigby Directed By: Desmond Davis Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD Format: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC Label: Image Entertainment Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Pan & Scan Release Date: June 27, 2000 Running Time: 103 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 1983
Description: Ian Richardson stars as Sherlock Holmes, the World's Greatest Detective, in a spine-tingling murder mystery filled to the bloody brim with peg-legged killers, poisonous pygmies, boat chases, carnivals and sudden merciless extinction, all tied to a king's ransom in jewels known as the Great Agra Treasure! With the faithful and resourceful Dr. Watson by his side and the beautiful Miss Mary Morstan, a delectable damsel in distress, it's up to the human bloodhound known as Sherlock Holmes, with the help of a remarkable canine called Toby, to unravel the puzzle and find the stolen fortune before The Sign of Four claims yet another victim!
Vengeance and murder...the Great Mogul diamond...a raw-meat-eating midget who puffs death. Will Sherlock Holmes prevail? "Another monograph?" says Dr. John Watson (David Healy), as he walks into the smoke-filled parlor at 221B Baker Street where he shares quarters with Mr. Sherlock Holmes (Ian Richardson). "Yes," says Holmes, adjusting a long row of burning cigars. "This is on the distinction between the ashes of the various tobaccos. So far, I have enumerated 93 forms of cigar, cigarette and pipe tobacco." This monograph, long thought lost, is now assumed to have been suppressed by the major tobacco companies in Britain and the United States.
With The Sign of Four we will encounter one of Holmes' most dangerous and resourceful villains in a story which features a one-legged man; a prison treasure map; a box of diamonds, emeralds and pearls; an Andaman native named Tonga with an appetite for raw meat; the second largest known diamond in the world, named The Great Mogul; the Baker Street Irregulars and enough bestial murder, greed and revenge to curdle the blood of the most innocent of young Victorian ladies.
The Sign of Four is the tale of the one-legged Jonathan Small and three other prisoners held in the British military prison on the Andaman Islands. They know where a fortune in jewels is buried there. Small's trust in Major John Sholto, the commander of the prison, is sadly misplaced. They help Sholto and Captain David Morstan locate the jewels on the promise that the fortune will be shared when they are released. However, Sholto takes the jewels back to London. When later Morstan arrives for his share, Sholto kills him. Sholto on his deathbed six years later tells his two sons of the treasure and insists that to wipe away Sholto's guilt. Captain Morstan's daughter must have Morstan's share. When one of the sons anonymously sends The Grand Mogul to Miss Mary Morstan (Cherie Lunghi), a trail of death and horror begins to work its way towards her in the person of the now-released Jonathan Small. With the animal-like Tonga by his side, with thick fog swirling through London's gas-lit streets, Small intends to have his vengeance...and all of the jewels. Only Sherlock Holmes, with Watson by his side, stands between Small and the frightened but brave and lovely Mary Morstan.
Executive producer Sy Weintraub arrived in Britain with the idea of making a series of made-for-TV feature length stories with Ian Richardson as Holmes. He managed only two, and it's our loss. This and the first film, Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles, are given first-rate, exciting productions and good, tight scripts. A real pleasure in The Sign of Four is Holmes against a collection of side show freaks, including Holmes on a turning, ornate carousel trying to elude a poison-dart-puffing Tonga. Richardson is a fine and subtle actor who gives just a bit more warmth to Holmes than, say, Brett or Rathbone gave. I would be hard-pressed to say which I like best. Fortunately, it's possible to like all three.
"What a very attractive young woman," John Watson had said to Holmes as Miss Marston left their quarters after she met the two and pleaded for their help. He finds her so attractive that, in the fullness of time, she eventually will become Mrs. John Watson.
"Is she?" Holmes replied. "I didn't observe." We'll have to wait for Sherlock Holmes to encounter Miss Irene Adler for the next step in Holmes' personal development.
For fans of Sherlock Holmes, the two Richardson movies are well worth owning. The DVD itself doesn't meet current expectations of DVD sharpness, but it's easy to watch. There are no extras.
This one's a dud also I don't know what these other reviewers are thinking of. I'm a fan of Ian Richardson but he's awful in this and this version of the story is likewise awful. Save your money because it'll be a waste if you buy this tape. I know, I know, you'd think he'd be great at this role but it's a big disappointment.
Richardson leads the way in another solid Holmes tale. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE SIGN OF FOUR was the 2nd of 2 films that Ian Richardson starred in as the Great Detective, after HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES. Once again, the production values, and Richardson's warm and impeccable performance carry this flick. Cheri Lunghi (Queen Guenevere in EXCALIBUR)is a winning and winsome damsel-in-distress and David Healy's Dr. Watson is a great improvement on his HOUND counterpart, being much more realistic in the role. Of course, there are a couple liberties taken with the original tale, and the culprits are revealed rather early in the film for my taste, but it doesn't get in the way of a solid and entertaining thriller. If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, I would definitely recommend this film.
Richardson great as Holmes, but... the DVD is grainy, and the story does deviate from the text somewhat. The packaging is nicer than the one for the Richardson "Hound of the Baskervilles," but I would still say that the Granada version with Jeremy Brett is the better of the two.
Brilliant, thrilling and amazing Of course it is always said but for the hundreth time: Ian Richardson is perhaps the best of all Holmses on screen. The film shows a very colourful and amazing version of the classic by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. But no more talking - watch it. The game is afoot!
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