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The Sherlock Holmes Catalogue - The Master Blackmailer [1988]
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Master Blackmailer is a two-hour 1991 Granada TV adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton, which for the most part sticks close to the details of the original. Holmes (Jeremy Brett) takes on the reputed king of all blackmailers, Milverton (Robert Hardy), who has made a fortune extorting money from the famous and the blue-blooded and who routinely ruins others' lives when not pleased. Unable to talk Milverton into turning over letters belonging to Lady Eva Brackenwell, Holmes decides to steal them, going undercover as a plumber and even romancing Milverton's housemaid, Agatha (Sophie Thompson), to gain better access in the house. (The ethical Watson, played by Edward Hardwicke, is upset to hear of Holmes's deception of an innocent woman.) The story builds to a surprisingly violent finale, but the real hook is Brett's performance as the disguised detective and the startling suggestion that Holmes's close contact with Agatha truly moved the bachelor sleuth. --Tom Keogh
By far the best of the final three films.
Review date: 2006-11-30 Rating: 8 out of 10
The last three feature films made by Granada in the Sherlock Holmes series were adaptations of short stories, rather than full novels. This 1991 film, based on Charles Augustus Milverton pads out the original story, but does so solely based on clues and references left in the original text, and does a splendid job, leaving nothing feeling like padding at all. Here we see Holmes stooping almost as low as his adversary, master blackmailer Charles Augustus Milverton (played with relish by Robert Hardy), using the affections of a serving girl to gain entry to the house, much to the disgust of Watson. However, we do see our hero redeem himself when he breaks down in the girls arms, suggesting he knows how close he has come to being like his enemies, in a well judged rare emotional moment.
Well shot by Roger Hammond, superbly written by Jeremy Paul, and performances by the leads show them at nothing less than their solid best.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Edward Hardwicke
Colin Jeavons
Robert Hardy
Norma West
Jeremy Brett
Creators:
Jeremy Brett (Primary Contributor)
Edward Hardwicke (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014138295394
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2003-04-28
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 103 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1988
Language: English (Original Language)