Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson: The Acquaintance (TV Mini Series) Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: Bloody inscription (1980) User Reviews

Bloody good

[hte-trasme · 8/10 · 13 November 2009]

The Soviet TV films of Sherlock Holmes starring Vasili Livanov as the detective have been uniformly stylish and engrossing viewing from what I have seen so far. This particular film picks up with adapting the first Holmes story, "A Study in Scarlet" after its predecessor had been composed of the scenes of Holmes and Watson meeting from that novel, and the mystery story from "The Speckled Band." Though it is among the more famous Holmes stories, novel-length, and introduces the character, "A Study in Scarlet" is rarely adapted because, in part of the long stretch set in Utah in which Holmes and Watson do not figure.

Here, however, adapting just the London parts with the backstory revealed only through exposition works very well: the film progresses from good-humored and fascinating character scenes between Holmes and Watson, played really wonderfully and memorably by Livanov and Vitali Solomin, to a riveting murder-adventure story, to the very human story of what drove the killer to murder and how he did it -- all underscoring the message of there being more to ever crime than just the fact of the killing, and, as Holmes points out, that sometimes the killer can evoke more sympathy than the victim.

Like the other entries in this Lenfilm Holmes cycle, this production oozes quality, and I don't hesitate to recommend it.

Quite good

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 30 May 2021]

Out of the first 5 episodes of this series that I've watched so far, this one is the strongest story-wise in mystery terms. It is also the only one to present a murderer who (spoiler!) is far from the "pure evil" of a Moriarty - he has justification for his actions. Watson gets a funny crash course in deduction and observation is this one, not only by Holmes but by Mrs. Hudson the housekeeper as well! (both Holmes and Watson are perfect for their roles, as per usual). But even this good episode lacks a certain excitement that would allow me to push the rating over **1/2 out of 4.

And the award for worst English subtitles in a foreign language Sherlockian film goes to...

[willisfrick · 26 June 2018]

Amazon Prime now offers (free with prime) Sherlock Holmes: A Blood Inscription, one of the Vasily Livanov and Vitaly Solomin Russian language films with English subtitles. The film is interesting, if a bit slow moving, and the stars well suited for their roles. Production quality is high as well.

The Sherlockian story is called "The Adventure of the Speckled Band", about a deadly snake with curious coloration.

But the subtitles! A few typos and misspelling were not that bad. It did not bother me too much that Stamford became Stanford. On the other hand, StockMoron was bit much for "Stoke Moran," the house where the adventure takes place.

But then, Helen Stoner, sitting at 221b, describes her situation and death of her sister, which shown in flashback. The subtitle of the dramatic moment, when her sister collapses and says her dying words, was, "A motley ribbon". Sherlock Holmes then repeats back "motley ribbon" to make sure he got it right.

That just doesn't work!

The red herring of a Gypsy band on the grounds should be replaced by the travelling crew of a rock band who sell their brand of ladies finery on the side.