By Jordan Hynson
Since his first appearance in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has become the most well-known and one of the most loved detectives. The fictional sleuth first appeared in Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel A study in Scarlet, and has reappeared several times, starring in the other novels in Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series.
Since his first appearance in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has become the most well-known and one of the most loved detectives. The fictional sleuth first appeared in Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel A study in Scarlet, and has reappeared several times, starring in the other novels in Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series.
As well as his recurring role in Doyle’s Sherlock series, the detective has also appeared and featured in many film and TV series adaptations of the books. The first adaptation was released in 1900 and since then there has been many other films and series.
Earlier this year, in July, the most recent Sherlock Holmes film adaptation was released. It is directed by Bill Condon and is titled Mr Holmes. It stars Sir Ian Mckellen as an older Holmes who reflects back on his time as a detective. With the release of the detective’s newest film edition it would be fitting to look back at the sleuths many film appearances, see where he came from and reflect on the evolution of Sherlock Holmes as an on-screen character.
1900 saw the release of the first Sherlock Holmes adaptation in the form of a film called Sherlock Holmes Baffled. The film ran for less than a minute and was created by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. It featured Holmes chasing a robber who seems to keep unexpectedly disappearing.
Earlier this year, in July, the most recent Sherlock Holmes film adaptation was released. It is directed by Bill Condon and is titled Mr Holmes. It stars Sir Ian Mckellen as an older Holmes who reflects back on his time as a detective. With the release of the detective’s newest film edition it would be fitting to look back at the sleuths many film appearances, see where he came from and reflect on the evolution of Sherlock Holmes as an on-screen character.
1900 saw the release of the first Sherlock Holmes adaptation in the form of a film called Sherlock Holmes Baffled. The film ran for less than a minute and was created by the American Mutoscope and Biograph Company. It featured Holmes chasing a robber who seems to keep unexpectedly disappearing.
Holmes didn’t appear on screen again until 5 years later in 1905 when The adventures of Sherlock Holmes was released with Holmes played by Gilbert M. Anderson.
For the next couple of decades between 1910 and 1929 there were a total of 7 Sherlock film adaptations released by various different directors.
Between the years of 1931-1937 Arthur Wontner stared as Holmes in the first ever Sherlock Holmes series. It was comprised of 5 films that were of British make. This was quickly followed by the second Holmes film series, which was a set of 14 films made between the years of 1939-1946.
The first, but certainly not the last, Sherlock Holmes TV series was not made until 1965 when the series Sherlock Holmes was released.
There has been many more films since 1946, all fairly similar in make and most keeping to the common image of who Sherlock Holmes is.
However in more recent adaptations we can see many diverse and more interesting interpretations of the famous detective. Three adaptations that clearly display this diversity are the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movies, the BBC’s Sherlock and Doherty’s Elementary.
In 2009 director Guy Ritchie released one of the most well-known and liked adaptations, the film Sherlock Holmes, and then its sequel titled A game of shadows in 2011. The film is set in Victorian times like the original Sherlock books, with Holmes played by actor Robert Downey Junior.
For the next couple of decades between 1910 and 1929 there were a total of 7 Sherlock film adaptations released by various different directors.
Between the years of 1931-1937 Arthur Wontner stared as Holmes in the first ever Sherlock Holmes series. It was comprised of 5 films that were of British make. This was quickly followed by the second Holmes film series, which was a set of 14 films made between the years of 1939-1946.
The first, but certainly not the last, Sherlock Holmes TV series was not made until 1965 when the series Sherlock Holmes was released.
There has been many more films since 1946, all fairly similar in make and most keeping to the common image of who Sherlock Holmes is.
However in more recent adaptations we can see many diverse and more interesting interpretations of the famous detective. Three adaptations that clearly display this diversity are the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movies, the BBC’s Sherlock and Doherty’s Elementary.
In 2009 director Guy Ritchie released one of the most well-known and liked adaptations, the film Sherlock Holmes, and then its sequel titled A game of shadows in 2011. The film is set in Victorian times like the original Sherlock books, with Holmes played by actor Robert Downey Junior.
Though in essence these films are very similar to other adaptations and the original books, the film is better quality both visually and in maintaining an interesting plotline. Both this and the fast paced action filled story line makes it massively more intriguing and also a good introduction into the world of Sherlock Holmes.
The BBC’s Sherlock, written by Steven Moffat is also slightly different to the originals. Sherlock is a T.V series that first aired in 2011, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes. In the show Holmes greatly resembles the original detective’s depiction, and some of the episodes are even based off the books
The BBC’s Sherlock, written by Steven Moffat is also slightly different to the originals. Sherlock is a T.V series that first aired in 2011, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes. In the show Holmes greatly resembles the original detective’s depiction, and some of the episodes are even based off the books
However there is one main change, the setting. The books and other adaptations are mostly set in Victorian Britain. This is altered in the Sherlock as it is set in modern day London. This can make the story feel more relatable and add to the overall enjoyment as it increases the sense of realism.
Elementary, a T.V series first created in 2012 by Robert Doherty, is another of the more recent appearances of the sleuth. Though the main character, Sherlock Holmes, is very alike the original in personality, abilities and flaws, some aspect of the show are quite different from the original stories.
Elementary, a T.V series first created in 2012 by Robert Doherty, is another of the more recent appearances of the sleuth. Though the main character, Sherlock Holmes, is very alike the original in personality, abilities and flaws, some aspect of the show are quite different from the original stories.
There are three main differences in the show. The first is that Holmes’ beloved companion is a female played by Lucy Liu whereas the character is usually male. It is also set in modern times alike its fellow T.V series Sherlock, as well as having Holmes living in New York having had moved from London. Though the changes appear quit big and extreme the show itself is no less full of action or any less interesting.
Though it is always great to watch the originals and see where things have come from, it is also good to push the boundaries a bit and try something new. Guy Ritchie’s films, Sherlock and Elementary are all different to the originals, yet are all just as interesting as the films and series to come before them.
So with the release of Holmes’ latest appearance why not take an adventure into the world of the wonderful sleuth. Whether you’ve read the books, watched some of the older films or have never adventured into the world of Sherlock Holmes, why don’t you try watching Holmes in a way you haven’t before or share your favourite adaptations with others by commenting below?
Though it is always great to watch the originals and see where things have come from, it is also good to push the boundaries a bit and try something new. Guy Ritchie’s films, Sherlock and Elementary are all different to the originals, yet are all just as interesting as the films and series to come before them.
So with the release of Holmes’ latest appearance why not take an adventure into the world of the wonderful sleuth. Whether you’ve read the books, watched some of the older films or have never adventured into the world of Sherlock Holmes, why don’t you try watching Holmes in a way you haven’t before or share your favourite adaptations with others by commenting below?