Best Ever Sherlock Holmes

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We know the best ever Watson, we're all still working on who the best ever Barnaby Sergeant is, so let's get the best ever Holmes as depicted in moving pictures be that TV or movies.

Sherlock Holmes is the most portrayed character on screen, well over 250 times, that is a LOT of Sherlock Holmes depictions to trawl through but luckily The 100 Best, Worst, and Strangest Sherlock Holmes Portrayals of All-Time, Ranked has done the hard yakka for us.

I'm not gonna regurgitate the list, but using it here's my top 3 Sherlock Holmes ever, and it was so easy. Oh, but before we continue I need to say that Clive Merrison is awesome as Holmes in the radio series The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, alongside one of my favourite Watson's ever, Andrew Sachs.

Playbill for 'The Secret of Sherlock Holmes' play
1. Jeremy Brett, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1984-1985), etc.

I just can't go past Brett even though his affectations and quirks became more noticeable and annoying in the later episodes. Still, he nailed what I was reading at the time, a perfect storm of Sherlock Holmes, supported by two amazing depictions of Watson. All of this topped off with a play that I still remember.


Basil Rathbone, The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939)
2. Basil Rathbone, The Hound of the Baskervilles (1939), etc.

The movies post The Hound Of The Baskervilles are, well, an intriguing set of contemporary stories but still Rathbone shines through. He is still the voice of Holmes in my head when I re-read the stories.


Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock
3. Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock (2010-2017)

When I first heard they were making the TV series and it was to be set in modern day London I was pensive to say the least. I watched the first episode and was totally blown away. Wouldn't it be fantastic if they could get back together just one more time, Mrs Hudson would be a challenge though, who could replace Una Stubbs?


So there you have it, my top 3 Sherlock Holmes performances on TV or movies. I would like to make an honorable shout out to ..

Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes (2015)
Bonus. Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes (2015)

It's not a story from the canon however it fits perfectly. A tale of times gone by, powers diminishing, and retirement - it's a great story and I love re-watching it now and again.

221B Baker St, London NW1 6XE, UK

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