While this is one of those Holmes mysteries that borders on the unusual, it is like many Granada adaptations is still compelling. It is so weird it is almost spooky but when Holmes and Watson come to investigate the mystery all will become clear. It does feature eerie moments (especially in the attic scene) and builds up suspense. What stands out most from this episode is the memorable performances from veteran British actors, Joss Ackland and the late Natasha Richardson. Ackland is creepy as Rucastle and Richardson is able to make us the viewer feel sympathetic to her character. It is not one of the best stories from the canon but the early "Adventures" years of the Granada Sherlock Holmes were so well done that it is entertaining.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series)
The Copper Beeches (1985)
User Reviews
Review this title10 Reviews
A good episode elevated by the acting
TheLittleSongbird26 May 2012
I have made no secret in loving this series, and The Copper Beeches is no exception. The episode is not as zestily paced and other entries in the series, and the story is not the most colourful and compelling. However, I did enjoy the spooky atmosphere that The Copper Beeches had, while the production values are stunning and as evocative as ever and the music haunting and beautiful at the same time. The script is playful and thoughtfully written. But it was the acting that really stood out. Jeremy Brett is superb as Holmes and David Burke contrasts him very well(though I have a slight soft spot more for Edward Hardwicke). The late Natasha Richardson is beguiling, but acting honours in my view belong to the creepy and truly unforgettable performance of Joss Ackland. Overall, the episode is good with enough suspenseful and unsettling moments to savour as well as great production and musical values but it was the acting that really made the episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox
A Hidden Secret
Hitchcoc5 February 2014
Money seemed to talk pretty well in this day. Several of the Holmes stories involved men or women who would normally have said no but who were offered substantial financial incentives. "The Red Headed League" and "The Solitary Cyclist" come immediately to mind. In this one, however, the young woman is asked to do some pretty bizarre things, one being to cut her hair a certain way. She also works for a couple of pretty weird folk and their incorrigible child. She is also asked to sit a certain way near an open window and to wear clothing chosen by her employers. This odd arrangement finally is laid at the feet of Sherlock Holmes. There is something even stranger going on in this house and that's where the mystery lies. This offering in the Granada series works quite well. I learned a lesson a while back in an American history course I was taking. One must separate current mores and motivations from the historical setting. The more of these stories one reads, we can see the effects of the class system in England near the turn of the Nineteenth Century. Stay with this. It is quite well done.
'Ladies fancies'
Sleepin_Dragon30 July 2015
I've re-watched Jeremy Brett's entire time as Sherlock Holmes, and this was the episode I had to watch more then once. I disagree with some of the other reviewers saying they don't feel that Copper Beeches was one of the best scripts, personally I do, there is something very dark, sinister and nasty about this one. The whole build up of the storyline is very intriguing. Natasha Richardson who I just watched in 'Ghosts' is so delicate as Violet. It is however two simple words that make this a standout episode, 'Joss Ackland,' he is unbelievably good as Jephro Rucastle, his huge performance is larger then life without being hammy. The scene when Violet runs from the upper level of the house, down the stairs and into him is so good. I don't think I've seen Lottie Ward in anything else, but I like her performance as Mrs Rucastle, played with a vacant yet sinister standing. 'Ladies fancies,' sends a cold chill.
Plenty of mystery in this bizarre tale.
kfo94947 October 2013
When Sherlock Holmes is visited by Violet Hunter the game-is-on when she reveals a strange story where she has just been employed as a governess. Miss Hunter tells the story of a man, Mr Rucastle, that lives in a wealthy estate well outside of London asking her to do some bizarre things around the house.
After cutting her long red hair as part of her obtaining the job, Miss Hunter, at times, has to wear a blue dress and sit by the window. And once was told to turn around and wave at young man, that was standing at the gate, away from the house.
Even with the strange direction given her, Miss Hunter feels like she is being paid well for her service. It is not until she stumbles upon stairs leading to the attic that all of the sudden her feeling change. There a shadow coming from the room at the top of the stairs. Sherlock has a good idea of what is afoot in the manor located outside of town.
The climax of the story was not the highlight of this episode. In fact the ending was rather bland by regular standards. But it was the odd requests, the bizarre feeling and the outright sinister job that made the story entertaining. A well written script performed well by the actors. And with that, the conclusion of the episode ends with Holmes and Dr Watson discussing the case. The look of Sherlock Holmes at the fade-out is priceless.
After cutting her long red hair as part of her obtaining the job, Miss Hunter, at times, has to wear a blue dress and sit by the window. And once was told to turn around and wave at young man, that was standing at the gate, away from the house.
Even with the strange direction given her, Miss Hunter feels like she is being paid well for her service. It is not until she stumbles upon stairs leading to the attic that all of the sudden her feeling change. There a shadow coming from the room at the top of the stairs. Sherlock has a good idea of what is afoot in the manor located outside of town.
The climax of the story was not the highlight of this episode. In fact the ending was rather bland by regular standards. But it was the odd requests, the bizarre feeling and the outright sinister job that made the story entertaining. A well written script performed well by the actors. And with that, the conclusion of the episode ends with Holmes and Dr Watson discussing the case. The look of Sherlock Holmes at the fade-out is priceless.
Intriguing, chilling mystery
grantss23 November 2022
Sherlock Holmes is approached by Violet Hunter. She has been offered the role of governess at an estate in Hampshire but the employer, Mr Rucastle, has some strange conditions. In particular, she will be obliged to cut her hair short! Ms Hunter is taken aback and very reluctant to cut her hair but the salary is very good. Her perturbation causes her to seek Sherlock Holmes's advice.
A very intriguing episode of Sherlock Holmes. No crime has apparently been committed but the actions of Mr Rucastle are very strange, and inexplicably so. Quite creepy and chilling. It is this perverseness with lack of apparent motive that drives the tone and plot.
Helping this eerie tone is the performance of Jos Ackland as Mr Rucastle. He is perfectly cast: creepy horror-drama type roles suit him perfectly. We also have Natasha Richardson in one of her early-career roles.
A very intriguing episode of Sherlock Holmes. No crime has apparently been committed but the actions of Mr Rucastle are very strange, and inexplicably so. Quite creepy and chilling. It is this perverseness with lack of apparent motive that drives the tone and plot.
Helping this eerie tone is the performance of Jos Ackland as Mr Rucastle. He is perfectly cast: creepy horror-drama type roles suit him perfectly. We also have Natasha Richardson in one of her early-career roles.
The Copper Beeches
Prismark109 February 2019
The Copper Beeches benefits from a very creepy turn from Joss Ackland. His phrasing of 'ladies fancies' is certainly memorable in a sinister fashion.
The performance gets creepier when later we see him bumbling around telling comic tales.
The episode also has an early appearance from Natasha Richardson, part of the Redgrave dynasty. Although both her parents were Oscar winners.
She plays Violet Hunter who has been offered a lucrative job as a governess in the country with a few strange conditions. This includes cutting off her flowing red hair and sometimes sitting with her back turned towards the window wearing an electric blue dress.
She consults Sherlock Holmes but also tells him that she is minded to take the offer of employment. Holmes tells Watson that he would not let a sister of his take such a position. Holmes is even more worried because of the location, somewhere miles away in the country.
Violet finds that the gothic mansion she is living in is strange and daunting, rather like the family she is working for. There is a stranger hanging outside of the property. She sends for Holmes and Watson.
Like The Solitary Cyclist, the mystery is about the inheritance of wealth. However I did find this story somewhat flat. If it was not for Joss Ackland it would had been somewhat bland.
The performance gets creepier when later we see him bumbling around telling comic tales.
The episode also has an early appearance from Natasha Richardson, part of the Redgrave dynasty. Although both her parents were Oscar winners.
She plays Violet Hunter who has been offered a lucrative job as a governess in the country with a few strange conditions. This includes cutting off her flowing red hair and sometimes sitting with her back turned towards the window wearing an electric blue dress.
She consults Sherlock Holmes but also tells him that she is minded to take the offer of employment. Holmes tells Watson that he would not let a sister of his take such a position. Holmes is even more worried because of the location, somewhere miles away in the country.
Violet finds that the gothic mansion she is living in is strange and daunting, rather like the family she is working for. There is a stranger hanging outside of the property. She sends for Holmes and Watson.
Like The Solitary Cyclist, the mystery is about the inheritance of wealth. However I did find this story somewhat flat. If it was not for Joss Ackland it would had been somewhat bland.
Ending a bit disappointing
vitoscotti3 October 2020
I give "The Copper Beeches" a 7/10. Breaking three 10/10s in a row. Still a terrific watch. Not a spectacular ending. But, the acting of the Rucastle House's creepy inhabitants steals the show. The late Natasha Richardson is very delightful as Violet. Again, Brett & Burke's rapport is so open & honest in their appraisals of each other to the tiniest point. Holmes holds nothing back.
Something Hidden in the Attic.
rmax30482322 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Miss Violet Hunter (Richardson) visits Holmes and Watson and relates a strange tale. Looking for work, she's been pressed into service as a nanny for a six-year-old boy at a country estate by Mr. Rucastle (Ackland) and his wife. In their first interview, Rucastle takes one look at Hunter and says she's perfect for the job -- only she must obey some little commands, such as wearing a certain dress and cutting her hair. She demurs but he offers her so much money that, after consulting Holmes, she takes the job.
After she leaves 221B Baker Street, Watson asks what Holmes thinks. He seems distracted but then looks up with concern and replies, "I should allow no sister of mine to accept such a position." For some reason, that brief exchange between Watson and Holmes sticks in the mind. Perhaps it's that Holmes shows so little concern for the welfare of women in jeopardy in his other cases or maybe it's just that Jeremy Brett delivers that line so flawlessly, with such expressiveness.
Not to get into the plot but the scent of Jane Eyre is faint but still perceptible.
The credits say "Introducing Miranda Richardson." Richardson was the daughter of a prominent director, Tony Richardson, and the actress Vanessa Redgrave. She does a splendid job here. She's wide-eyed and pale. She trembles a little and wears an expression of constant bewilderment that erupts suddenly into one of terror when the situation requires it. She's very attractive, too, in a not-quite conventional way. She seems to need succor and reassurance. A normal man would want to sit her on his knee and advise her to be more confident, while, as Mephistopheles advises Faust, he puts his arm around her waist to feel how tightly she was corseted.
We can't NOT mention Joss Ackland's incarnation of Mr. Rucastle. Ackland is a tall, robust fellow with flabby jowls that seem to wobble when he speaks. He's ruddy faced and completely unforgettable, strutting around, gesticulating wildly as he tells Richardson funny stories in order to induce her to laugh. She chuckles with amusement but that's nothing compared to his bellowing with laughter at his own stories. "He's killing him," as they say.
The story itself isn't one of the best. It's not slow, and it's not uninteresting. It lacks some of the zest and color of the better tales. But everyone's performances are so good that one forgets any weakness in the plot.
After she leaves 221B Baker Street, Watson asks what Holmes thinks. He seems distracted but then looks up with concern and replies, "I should allow no sister of mine to accept such a position." For some reason, that brief exchange between Watson and Holmes sticks in the mind. Perhaps it's that Holmes shows so little concern for the welfare of women in jeopardy in his other cases or maybe it's just that Jeremy Brett delivers that line so flawlessly, with such expressiveness.
Not to get into the plot but the scent of Jane Eyre is faint but still perceptible.
The credits say "Introducing Miranda Richardson." Richardson was the daughter of a prominent director, Tony Richardson, and the actress Vanessa Redgrave. She does a splendid job here. She's wide-eyed and pale. She trembles a little and wears an expression of constant bewilderment that erupts suddenly into one of terror when the situation requires it. She's very attractive, too, in a not-quite conventional way. She seems to need succor and reassurance. A normal man would want to sit her on his knee and advise her to be more confident, while, as Mephistopheles advises Faust, he puts his arm around her waist to feel how tightly she was corseted.
We can't NOT mention Joss Ackland's incarnation of Mr. Rucastle. Ackland is a tall, robust fellow with flabby jowls that seem to wobble when he speaks. He's ruddy faced and completely unforgettable, strutting around, gesticulating wildly as he tells Richardson funny stories in order to induce her to laugh. She chuckles with amusement but that's nothing compared to his bellowing with laughter at his own stories. "He's killing him," as they say.
The story itself isn't one of the best. It's not slow, and it's not uninteresting. It lacks some of the zest and color of the better tales. But everyone's performances are so good that one forgets any weakness in the plot.
Joss Ackland saves this episode
suicidea15 January 2021
A young lady consults Holmes for advice: She's been offered an unusually high paying job, but the house is far in the country, and her employer has some odd requests about her hair and dresses. She doesn't want to cut her beautiful hair, of course, and is obviously wary about the odd requests, but the pay is too high to refuse. Holmes tells her that since she's already made up her mind, there's not much for him to do. However, things take a sinister turn quickly.
The premise is very similar to The Solitary Cyclist story, and the episode is similarly mediocre. Joss Ackland and Natasha Richardson are great, though, it's worth watching just for the sake of them. Of course, saying " Joss Ackland is great" is redundant, has there ever been a performance of his that's not great?
The premise is very similar to The Solitary Cyclist story, and the episode is similarly mediocre. Joss Ackland and Natasha Richardson are great, though, it's worth watching just for the sake of them. Of course, saying " Joss Ackland is great" is redundant, has there ever been a performance of his that's not great?
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