# Sherlock Holmes - Best portrayal

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [January 16, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483 "2020-01-16T00:45:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483/61 "2020-01-18T15:59:33Z")

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> [@Boycott](#):
>
> I’m conflicted with Basil Rathborne’s Holmes. I think his demeanour was perfect in being serious and studious but with the element of a wise-crack in him, but Nigel Bruce’s Watson was an affable oaf who at times come across inconveniencing Holmes.

Basil Rathbone was the classic Holmes, though I agree his genius was at times impeded by Nigel Bruce, the worst Watson ever.

The great thing about subsequent Holmes movies was that Watson was allowed to be something other than a bumbling jackass.

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**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483/62 "2020-01-18T17:35:55Z")

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> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Everything Holmes did in those films was backed by canon, for example his boxing skills.
> 
> Holmes also only wore the deerstalker hat once that we know of and didnt use that curved Calabash, he used a clay pipe most often.

I’ll take your word for it on the accuracy of the movies because I haven’t seen them, but there’s no need to lecture on the hat and the pipe, whether it be Calabash or Meerschaum and the reasons they’re a part of Holmes lore. I think everyone in the thread is likely familiar with those points.

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**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\
**Post date:** [January 18, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483/63 "2020-01-18T22:14:14Z")

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Hands down, Jeremy Brett.

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**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2020, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483/64 "2020-01-20T04:47:29Z")

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Jeremy Brett, hands down, although I enjoy Benedict Cumberpatch too.

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**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\
**Post date:** [January 20, 2020, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sherlock-holmes-best-portrayal/846483/65 "2020-01-20T12:40:09Z")

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> [@Horatio\_Hellpop](#):
>
> Brett, then Cumberbatch. Downey isn’t bad, but the films directed by Guy Ritchie are stupid beyond belief.

This is why I dislike those films so much. Downey is an excellent actor (as is Jude Law) but Guy Ritchie just ruins everything. See also his King Arthur nonsense.

> [@Jackmannii](#):
>
> Basil Rathbone was the classic Holmes, though I agree his genius was at times impeded by Nigel Bruce, the worst Watson ever.

Rathbone seems to be the one who set the _look_ for Holmes.

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