While not my absolute favourite of the entire set of Granada adaptations, The Cardboard Box is up there as one of the better ones, and possibly my personal favourite of the series The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
The Cardboard Box is wonderful. The story is quite dark in tone sometimes, but there are a few parts such as Holmes' final words that are both very powerful and poignant, and it maintains the classic feel that the best episodes have.
The script is powerful and thoughtful, especially with what I spoke of above, and I think The Cardboard Box is one of the better-directed episodes of the series too. As always, the production values and music are wonderful, the period detail never takes you out of the setting and the photography and lighting are suitably atmospheric, while the music gives me chills and brings tears to my eyes too.
The acting is very good too. We have two fine actors, Joanna David and Ciaron Hinds, they are great in their roles, Hinds particularly for me is one of the series' more memorable guest stars alongside Jeremy Kemp(The Speckled Band), Norman Jones(The Crooked Man) and John Thaw(The Sign of Four). This episode is not one of Jeremy Brett's finest hours, but he still gives a very commanding and moving performance, and Edward Hardwicke proves himself an ideal contrast.
All in all, a wonderful episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox