# Your favorite Sherlock Holmes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 13, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681 "2020-05-13T00:47:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [May 14, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/21 "2020-05-14T02:38:27Z")
> [@gdave](#): > > …Doyle’s Holmes was absolutely _not_ “all” cerebral. By the standards of the era, he _was_ an action figure. > > In “The Speckled Band,” an antagonist tries to intimidate Holmes by bending a fireplace poker with his bare hands. Holmes responds by casually straightening it back out, a much more difficult feat of strength, that he accomplishes with much less effort. > > Doyle’s Holmes is also a master of “baritsu”, which is a reference to the real life “bartitsu” fighting style. This was a supposedly “scientific” fighting style, and mentioning Holmes’ mastery of it was the Victorian equivalent of establishing him as a both an action hero and a techno-thriller hero. Holmes was also competent as a straight-up boxer, as demonstrated [in this Sidney Paget illustration](http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration/pagets/289.html) from “The Solitary Cyclist”, in which Holmes dispatches the oafish and odious Mr. Woodley. I never could figure out though how Holmes managed to stay in fighting trim while going through long periods of chair-bound inaction and never going to the gym (never mind his periodic cocaine binges). My own pick for the best Holmes is the classic characterization by Basil Rathbone. Most of Rathbone’s movies as Holmes were, to be kind, mediocre.\* The character however was what I pictured Holmes to be from the stories. \*Holmes movies with Rathbone were further degraded by Nigel Bruce’s doddering Dr. Watson. Bruce also “hosted” a forgettable Holmes series on radio. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/22 "2020-05-14T04:12:08Z")
Jerry Lee Lewis. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2020, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/23 "2020-05-14T11:21:05Z")
Brent Spiner. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/24 "2020-05-17T03:40:57Z")
I voted Jeremy Brett, of course. But Basil Rathbone is a close second. Benedict Cumberbatch should not be a choice. He’s a “modern version” of Holmes, not Holmes. You might as well have the Scooby-doo gang as a choice. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/25 "2020-05-17T07:02:06Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > Benedict Cumberbatch should not be a choice. He’s a “modern version” of Holmes, not Holmes. Technically, so was Rathbone. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/26 "2020-05-17T20:58:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Hugh Laurie. Yes, he counts. If Hugh Laurie counts, then so does Vincent D’Onofrio and Tony Shaloub. And Bill Pullman. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/27 "2020-05-17T21:27:05Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > If Hugh Laurie counts, then so does Vincent D’Onofrio and Tony Shaloub. And Bill Pullman. In that case, I change my vote to Vincent D’Onofrio. Robert Goren is hands-down my favourite Sherlock-Holmes-in-all-but-name. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/28 "2020-05-17T22:26:48Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > If Hugh Laurie counts, then so does Vincent D’Onofrio and Tony Shaloub. And Bill Pullman. Except that House was very much a variation on Holmes, far more than your examples: the observational genius, the eccentricities and musical ability, the disconnection from humanity (bordering on misanthropy), the drug use, the best friend and confidant with the initials JW, even the name (House… Holmes… get it?). They even name-checked 221b and Irene Adler. Not to mention that Hugh Laurie looks like the classic Sherlock, tall and lanky with a long face and hollow cheeks. \*House \*was easily as much Sherlock Holmes as the Guy Ritchie movies. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/29 "2020-05-18T00:04:21Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Downey was just terrible as Holmes; not even remotely what Holmes was supposed to be like. Holmes is supposed to be all cerebral, not this action figure with buff muscles. I agree completely, and I love Robert Downey in other things. I just didn’t like the movies either. They were loud and annoying. Action movies, not mysteries. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/30 "2020-05-18T01:03:40Z")
I voted Jeremy Brett for authenticity, but with a sigh for Benedict Cumberbatch whom I thought was magnificent in what he did with the role. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/31 "2020-05-18T06:09:16Z")
I am distressed to find myself siding with the popular choice, Jeremy Brett. But there really isn’t any other possible answer.\* \*With the possible exception of Leonard Nimoy, who I saw play Holmes on stage in a recreation of William Gillette’s play in the seventies. He was FABULOUS as Holmes. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/32 "2020-05-18T06:21:02Z")
What about Roger Moore- [_Sherlock Holmes In New York_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075208/). ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/33 "2020-05-18T19:35:59Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Except that House was very much a variation on Holmes, far more than your examples: the observational genius, the eccentricities and musical ability, the disconnection from humanity (bordering on misanthropy), the drug use, the best friend and confidant with the initials JW, even the name (House… Holmes… get it?). They even name-checked 221b and Irene Adler. Not to mention that Hugh Laurie looks like the classic Sherlock, tall and lanky with a long face and hollow cheeks. > > \*House \*was easily as much Sherlock Holmes as the Guy Ritchie movies. Then Daryl Zero is the man. Observational genius, never leaves his house, can’t even get along with his assistant, has an Irene Adler character\*, plays rock and roll. Don’t remember drug use, other than soda pop by the case. Daryl Zero: I always say that the essence of my work relies fundamentally on two basic principles–objectivity and observation, or the two obs, as I call them. My work relies on my ability to remain absolutely, purely objective, detached. I have mastered the fine art of detachment. And while it comes at some cost, this supreme objectivity is what makes me, I dare say, the greatest observer the world has ever known. \*To me, she will always be a singular unforgettable event, the only time I ever took leave of my objectivity. Perhaps the most able blackmailer of her time, she was at once the worthiest opponent and the greatest ally, and the only woman I have ever… the only woman, period. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2020, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/34 "2020-05-18T23:48:48Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I am distressed to find myself siding with the popular choice, Jeremy Brett. But there really isn’t any other possible answer. See, that’s what I’d pretty much say about Basil Rathbone. To me, it’s like this: picture JFK. Now picture a guy doing a great JFK impression. And now picture an exaggerated parody of JFK. And now picture a guy portraying JFK with a stutter and a southern accent; seems like a weird choice, but it could be interesting and memorable. Feel free to pitch a film where JFK is bald and bespectacled and only ever whispers; maybe you’re an offbeat director trying to make some kind of a point, and, what the hell, maybe it even winds up being entertaining. Which is _my_ point: there’s a lot of odd ways to play JFK instead of just acting like JFK, and then there’s — getting it right by just acting like JFK. And I know it isn’t the same thing, but, try as I might, to me, it _is_: there’s Basil Rathbone, and there are guys who shoot for some other effect instead of just acting like Sherlock Holmes. ---
**Author:** ![Hatchie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hatchie/32/3983_2.png) [@Hatchie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hatchie)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/35 "2020-05-19T00:10:26Z")
Well, I’d include Peter Falk as Columbo, whose super-power was the opposite of Holmes’ - he deluded his opponents into thinking he was clueless, which is just as brainy in its own way. I liked Benedict Cumberbatch’s Holmes up until the last series. I kind of hope they leave it there. I’ve never seen Jeremy Brett’s - should I? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/36 "2020-05-19T01:07:05Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > And I know it isn’t the same thing, but, try as I might, to me, it _is_: there’s Basil Rathbone, and there are guys who shoot for some other effect instead of just acting like Sherlock Holmes. Conan Doyle’s daughter, Jean, said that Brett’s Sherlock Holmes was “[the Holmes of my childhood](https://youtu.be/CiFpF-ee8a0?t=84).” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/37 "2020-05-19T02:08:43Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Conan Doyle’s daughter, Jean, said that Brett’s Sherlock Holmes was “[the Holmes of my childhood](https://youtu.be/CiFpF-ee8a0?t=84).” Don’t know that I ever really thought it through before, but I guess that Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes is the _Moriarty_ of my childhood: he has a whip-crack voice he uses, in between sneering like a villain, to spell out how he thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room — which, if he _were_ a villain in a stage play for kids, would be there to cue his impending comeuppance; but the whole point is that he _does_ keep solving crimes that baffle Scotland Yard, and knows it, and _wants to make that clear_. That’s why he’s in this line of work! He’s, like, an archetype in reverse! Oh, some guys have a _relaxed_ confidence; and some are modest (some from humility, some from mere politeness); some are matter-of-fact, some are robotic. But _this_ guy? The Holmes of _my_ childhood? This guy carries himself like an aristocrat who laughs like he’s riding for a fall, only he really does _have you now!_ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/38 "2020-05-19T11:40:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > What about Roger Moore- [_Sherlock Holmes In New York_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075208/). I mentioned him above. Not a good fit at all, even with John Steed as Watson. (Nine years before they played Bond and Tibbett in _A View to a Kill_ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/39 "2020-05-19T11:44:47Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > No mention of Nicholas Rowe? I didn’t realize it until I looked him up again, but Rowe also played Sherlock Holmes as an adult. Sort of. He’s the actor playing Sherlock Holmes in the “film within a film” in 2015’s _Mr. Holmes_. He’s, in effect, playing “Younger Sherlock Holmes” to Ian McKellen’s Old Sherlock Holmes. > **[Mr. Holmes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Holmes)** > > Mr. Holmes is a 2015 mystery film directed by Bill Condon, based on Mitch Cullin's 2005 novel A Slight Trick of the Mind, and featuring the character Sherlock Holmes. The film stars Ian McKellen as Sherlock Holmes, Laura Linney as his housekeeper Mrs. Munro and Milo Parker as her son Roger. Set primarily during his retirement in Sussex, the film follows a 93-year-old Holmes who struggles to recall the details of his final case because his mind is slowly deteriorating. > Principal photography beg... ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2020, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681/40 "2020-05-19T13:17:30Z")
A sixth(?) vote for Jonny Lee Miller. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-sherlock-holmes/853681.md?page=3)