Comments | kirarakim: Oh Poor Watson

kirarakim

Oh Poor Watson

Sep 21, 2009 14:16

I just watched the two 1939 Sherlock Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. These tend to be the most well know and popular Holmes movies (at least in the US). And while the stories in the movies themselves are not bad (at least they didn't turn Sherlock Holmes into an action movie like the latest movie seems to be doing) the ( Read more... )

reading, classic film

Comments 8

(The comment has been removed)

kirarakim September 21 2009, 21:09:01 UTC

yeah exactly in Conan Doyle's stories Watson was always shown to be very intelligent. Maybe not a genius like Holmes but then few are (and Holmes was only a genius at certain things).

And as you said you don't become a Doctor by being stupid.

(The comment has been removed)

kirarakim September 21 2009, 22:29:02 UTC

it's a shame though because the stories were not bad in the movies I've seen. They made some changes to Hound of the Baskervilles but it was still entertaining., And even the made up story in Adventures of Sherlock Holmes felt like it could have been written by Doyle. It's just the characterization was off, especially Watson.

.

zauberer_sirin September 21 2009, 21:58:08 UTC

I'm quite alright with Basil Rathbone as Holmes. I do agree he needs to be weirder but he is pretty decent (he is no Jeremy Brett but then again, who is?) but I can't stand Bruce as Watson. It's such a caricature. He is such an idiot, arg. I hate it. I enjoy those movies a lot and I've seen them all but their Watson? No, just no.

I have a confession to make, I think Sherlock Hound is way better than anything Conan Doyle wrote.

kirarakim September 21 2009, 22:38:51 UTC

I don't really think Basil captures Holmes but I could deal with him and I do like him as an actor. But Watson portrayal really bothered me. Even though I didn't think the screenplays of the movies were bad at all the way the characters were ;portrayed did lessen my enjoyment.

i mean the characterization and relationship of Holmes & Watson is what I enjoy most out of the actual stories.The mysteries themselves could be a bit hit or miss.

I have a confession to make, I think Sherlock Hound is way better than anything Conan Doyle wrote.

I thought it was cute but i was also bothered by the characterizations of the main characters. Of course it is a story aimed at kids but after watching the Basil movies I do think the characters in Hound were influenced by Rathbone and Bruce portrayals more than Doyle's writing.

kirarakim September 22 2009, 03:02:47 UTC

.
Just watched some of the series with Jeremy Brett and you are right he is very good. He definitely gets Holmes sort of cold/logical demeanor down. I still don't think the Watson is perfect but he is miles better than Nigel Bruce (the first actor that is I have not seen the 2nd one yet).

emukatze September 21 2009, 23:49:54 UTC

Obligatory link, if you're never seen it: http://beatonna.livejournal.com/113738.html

I need to get back to reading my Holmes. :/

kirarakim September 22 2009, 00:27:14 UTC

Wow that is perfect I am glad to know I am not the only one bothered by this as well.

(The comment has been removed)

kirarakim September 22 2009, 18:30:53 UTC

I think it might be an indication that people in this society do not read enough and movies/Tv are more popular (at least when it comes to the classics). Kind of sad really.

And it's kind of funny you mentioned the Frankenstein Monster because I just watched the first film not so long ago. I bet most people do not know that the monster was highly intelligent and could make rational decisions.