Greetings,
I hope you are all having a great start to this new week in the world.
I am a huge Sherlock Holmes fan. The books. The short stories. The film adaptions. However, I take a keen interest also in his costumes.
Everyone designer takes their own ideas and mixes things with the "Classic Holmes" look when doing a film or tv version.
So let's take a little in depth look at Sherlock Style, shall we?
1. 1939 Basil Rathbone as Holmes.
Not my favorite by any means, but it was an original for the time.
He certainly had that classic "storybook" style down. Complete with wool cape and matching hat.
2. 1984 Jeremy Brett as Holmes
This is the Sherlock I grew up watching!
“I’ve done thirty-three Sherlock Holmes stories and bits of them are all right. But the definitive Sherlock Holmes is really in everyone’s head. No actor can fit into that category because every reader has his own ideal." - Jeremy Brett
It is so true. Everyone has their own idea of who Sherlock Holmes is. However, I think Jeremy Brett nailed it. True to the books.
I think my favorite episodes are from the first season. Sherlock's costumes are a bit more eccentric and almost always paired with black striped pants. He has a very elegant victorian fashion with a wardrobe almost entirely composed of blacks and grays. He also wore an awesome black wool cape with a high collar. Perfect for vampire hunting....
3. 2009 - 2011 Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes.
Ah yes. The most current and most popular. Even non-sherlock fans have most likely seen this version of the great detective.
I think Jude Law made an excellent Dr. Watson as well. Really fits with how I pictured him in the stories.
hahha, Holmes on the other hand. Is much more crazy/eccentric and steampunk-esq, however...you can't help but like him watching the movies. He has some great lines as well.
I have done another post a year ago about his costume here. I just really like the whole look they did for him. Great fun!
4. 2010 - 2012 Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes.
A new twist on a classic. Actually, this mini series is very well done. I was skeptical at first, but the first episode won me over. The new season will be out in the USA starting May! A unique take on the whole Sherlock Holmes thing.
His costumes are perfect. The designer totally played up the modern English look while adding a dash of victorian and a touch of whimsy. All while still staying in that stormy color pallete.
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A very commonplace little murder. You’ve got a something better, I fancy. You are the stormy petrel of crime, Watson. What is it?
- Sherlock Holmes , The Naval Treaty
What say you? Who is your favorite Sherlock Holmes?
Or perhaps you prefer a version I have not mentioned? Feel free to leave lots of comments and suggestions. I am sure there are many more Sherlock fans out there in my readership!
As always thanks for reading...
...I am now off on an adventure of the most mysterious kind.
P.S. Oh! I almost forgot, Disney made "The Great Mouse Detective" in 1986. I remember watching that on our "new at the time" VHS player...;)
So here is the Mouse version of Holmes.
I think Basil Rathbone was by far the best Holmes. He not only looked just like he's described in the book, but also had that charm about him. I laugh every time I see the Basil Rathbone Holmes. But the mouse was good too. :) I haven't seen the modern version, but I think Benedict Cumberbatch has a Holmesishness about him. And he certainly has an awesome costume! I drew that very picture with the turned up collar for a friend quite recently. :)
Posted by: Lady Lindenwood (or the village milliner) | Apr 24, 2012 at 07:50 AM
What about the movie Young Sherlock Holmes? Or does that not count because he's young? We just watched it last night. I actually like it better than any of the other ones, but that's probably because they're kids like me.
Posted by: unamariah | May 08, 2012 at 04:04 AM