Roxburgh/Hart HOUN review
May. 11th, 2009 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
elabyTime for a more coherent review of the Roxburgh/Hart "Hound of the Baskervilles"! First, a couple of things I noticed about the movie on a general level. I think I was in the perfect place to watch it - I've seen lots of adaptations of HOUN and I've liked them all pretty well, I have my own firm notions of what the characters are like and I don't expect a movie to portray them that way, and I know the Holmes and Watson's history and the placement of this story in the timeline. I think that you kind of have to, in order to appreciate why Watson is so angry at Holmes throughout most of the movie - it's refreshing to see him like that, when you're used to him just taking it. I would think that if you hadn't seen a lot of Holmes movies or read all of the stories lots of times, you'd be kind of like "O_o And why do they live together again?"
Costumes = YAY and scenery = DOUBLE FREAKING YAY. I've been to Dartmoor once, and that's what it looked like. Except it was sunny when I was there.
Anyway, possibly more about plot and stuff later, but on to the characters because that's what I like talking about XD
First of all, Richard Roxburgh as Holmes. Unlike - um, most people, apparently - I liked his performance. I didn't love him as Holmes, and I wish to god they'd dyed his hair, because the lightness distracted me, but he did have some of the facial expressions I associate with book-Holmes down pretty well, especially the obvious suppression of emotion part. Roxburgh's Holmes obviously took great pains to make sure nobody knew he was feeling something that he thought implied weakness (laughter apparently not qualifying - this made me so happy, but I'll get to that). The thing that impressed me was that he let things slip through occasionally. When Watson was about to leave with Sir Henry for Dartmoor, he was clenching his jaw with worry, and Watson immediately asked "What's wrong?" which also made me squee. Of course Watson can see through him. Roxburgh's Holmes also looked quite stricken - and you could hear it in his voice - when they found Selton dead and thought it was Sir Henry. The fact that he said "No, it's my fault" in response to Watson's self-blame was significant, I think. And he looked even more miserable when he saw how upset Watson was. And then the laughing.
So far, aside from the BBC radio plays, this has been the only HOUN adaptation I've seen to actually play out the whole scene where they think Sir Henry is dead and then Holmes realizes it's not him and starts to laugh (to which Watson is like "WTF is wrong with you?!" XD) There was no dancing around grabbing Watson like in the book, sadly, but the fact that they kept that much of the scene goes a long way in my affection for this movie. I wait for that scene every time and nobody else has done it! Also, getting Watson shot (and Holmes reacting appropriately) made my day. Since Holmes spent the whole movie being kind of flippant, a little bitchy, and certainly very secretive, his "Oh god, Watson" and reluctance to leave him - so much so that Watson had to yell at him twice - made me really happy. And then at the end, on the train, it's so obvious that he's trying to apologize and almost starts to a few separate times, and then finally very awkwardly says he reserved a box at the opera... and they could go to dinner, maybe... His expressions throughout that entire scene are priceless.
In the interviews on the DVD I rented, Roxburgh said he had only watched one Holmes movie, the Rathbone HOUN, because he wanted to play a Holmes only inspired by reading the stories. I think he did a pretty good job with what he had. He'll never worm himself into my brain and plant himself in the stories while I'm reading them (unlike certain others do on occasion, Mr. Brett) but I did like his Holmes in spite of the way he seemed "off" sometimes.
Ian Hart as Watson was wonderfully refreshing, and did so many things that made me squee with joy, but again he'll never resemble the "Watson" in my head the way David Burke and Vitaly Solomin sometimes do. He was pretty pissy for most of the movie - he rarely smiled - but considering how Holmes treats him, it's entirely understandable and I was really glad to see it. Watsons in movies sometimes don't react indignantly enough to Holmes'sbeing a bad boyfriend lack of trust. Normally Holmes tells him to do stuff, and he does it; Hart's Watson, on the other hand, would only go so far. He knew what he thought was right and he refused to let Holmes stop him from doing it without a fight. That Hart's Watson got really angry, yelled at Holmes, was nice to see.
He also was awesomely capable. Action Watson pulls Holmes out of the way of oncoming carriages! Action Watson protects Sir Henry! Action Watson punches Stapleton! He always had his revolver out, the impetuous "do it now" Watson of the books. I loved that he grabbed the chair during the seance, when the hound was jumping against the window. There was little in him of the gentle, compassionate Watson, and little of the hurt so obvious in the story at Holmes's lack of trust, but... I dunno. Being little and cute and hurt is what Solomin Watson is for XD The way he expressed any affection for Holmes was more in the "Stop being a moron and let me help you" sort of way, which I liked very much, though I think book-Watson wouldn't quite take that tack.
Other things... Stapleton! OMGYAY, Richard E. Grant! I <3 him very much, and I would've actually liked to see him play Holmes, as I think someone on my f'list has mentioned. He was a delightfully charming-covering-evil Stapleton, and it's always a pleasure to watch him act (I also love his voice, bwee). When he called Holmes vain and patted his cheeks I almost died XD
AND THEN, oh lord, speaking of Action Watson - right between the eyes! That was a triumph for Watson-supporters everywhere! No drowning in the mire for Stapleton. You get shot by a pissed off writer-doctor-soldier whose actor remembers that he's got a bullet lodged in his shoulder and who slugged you in the jaw earlier when he discovered that you'd killed your wife. ABOUT THAT, also o_O I totally didn't expect them to kill off Beryl Stapleton. But it was a good impetus to make Watson really furious. And in the same vein, I approved of their other subtractions as well - I forgot that they'd left out Laura Lyons until Holmes mentioned going back to London. I don't remember if they ever explained why Sir Charles was out there in the middle of the night without talking about her, but I didn't miss the whole divorce subplot.
One final thing, before I run off to dinner: the DVD I saw had a "The Making of" section, and Ian Hart made the most squee-worthy comment in his discussion of Holmes and Watson:
"We always find in any relationship the things that are lacking in ourselves. That's what you look for in the person you fall in love with... or whatever, you know? And Holmes is thinking on several levels at once. Watson is thinking on that one level. You need someone who thinks on that level. You need someone to book the tickets. *laughs* 'Watson, we need to go and catch a criminal in France. Get some tickets, would you?'"
XD Later, in the interviews, I believe he was trying a little too hard to overcompensate for that comment, because his entire interview was pretty much "Yes, I'm proud to play Watson, and did you know Watson loved women? Watson totally loved women. And I love women. Women love me. I have them banging my door down, actually." *snickers*
Costumes = YAY and scenery = DOUBLE FREAKING YAY. I've been to Dartmoor once, and that's what it looked like. Except it was sunny when I was there.
Anyway, possibly more about plot and stuff later, but on to the characters because that's what I like talking about XD
First of all, Richard Roxburgh as Holmes. Unlike - um, most people, apparently - I liked his performance. I didn't love him as Holmes, and I wish to god they'd dyed his hair, because the lightness distracted me, but he did have some of the facial expressions I associate with book-Holmes down pretty well, especially the obvious suppression of emotion part. Roxburgh's Holmes obviously took great pains to make sure nobody knew he was feeling something that he thought implied weakness (laughter apparently not qualifying - this made me so happy, but I'll get to that). The thing that impressed me was that he let things slip through occasionally. When Watson was about to leave with Sir Henry for Dartmoor, he was clenching his jaw with worry, and Watson immediately asked "What's wrong?" which also made me squee. Of course Watson can see through him. Roxburgh's Holmes also looked quite stricken - and you could hear it in his voice - when they found Selton dead and thought it was Sir Henry. The fact that he said "No, it's my fault" in response to Watson's self-blame was significant, I think. And he looked even more miserable when he saw how upset Watson was. And then the laughing.
So far, aside from the BBC radio plays, this has been the only HOUN adaptation I've seen to actually play out the whole scene where they think Sir Henry is dead and then Holmes realizes it's not him and starts to laugh (to which Watson is like "WTF is wrong with you?!" XD) There was no dancing around grabbing Watson like in the book, sadly, but the fact that they kept that much of the scene goes a long way in my affection for this movie. I wait for that scene every time and nobody else has done it! Also, getting Watson shot (and Holmes reacting appropriately) made my day. Since Holmes spent the whole movie being kind of flippant, a little bitchy, and certainly very secretive, his "Oh god, Watson" and reluctance to leave him - so much so that Watson had to yell at him twice - made me really happy. And then at the end, on the train, it's so obvious that he's trying to apologize and almost starts to a few separate times, and then finally very awkwardly says he reserved a box at the opera... and they could go to dinner, maybe... His expressions throughout that entire scene are priceless.
In the interviews on the DVD I rented, Roxburgh said he had only watched one Holmes movie, the Rathbone HOUN, because he wanted to play a Holmes only inspired by reading the stories. I think he did a pretty good job with what he had. He'll never worm himself into my brain and plant himself in the stories while I'm reading them (unlike certain others do on occasion, Mr. Brett) but I did like his Holmes in spite of the way he seemed "off" sometimes.
Ian Hart as Watson was wonderfully refreshing, and did so many things that made me squee with joy, but again he'll never resemble the "Watson" in my head the way David Burke and Vitaly Solomin sometimes do. He was pretty pissy for most of the movie - he rarely smiled - but considering how Holmes treats him, it's entirely understandable and I was really glad to see it. Watsons in movies sometimes don't react indignantly enough to Holmes's
He also was awesomely capable. Action Watson pulls Holmes out of the way of oncoming carriages! Action Watson protects Sir Henry! Action Watson punches Stapleton! He always had his revolver out, the impetuous "do it now" Watson of the books. I loved that he grabbed the chair during the seance, when the hound was jumping against the window. There was little in him of the gentle, compassionate Watson, and little of the hurt so obvious in the story at Holmes's lack of trust, but... I dunno. Being little and cute and hurt is what Solomin Watson is for XD The way he expressed any affection for Holmes was more in the "Stop being a moron and let me help you" sort of way, which I liked very much, though I think book-Watson wouldn't quite take that tack.
Other things... Stapleton! OMGYAY, Richard E. Grant! I <3 him very much, and I would've actually liked to see him play Holmes, as I think someone on my f'list has mentioned. He was a delightfully charming-covering-evil Stapleton, and it's always a pleasure to watch him act (I also love his voice, bwee). When he called Holmes vain and patted his cheeks I almost died XD
AND THEN, oh lord, speaking of Action Watson - right between the eyes! That was a triumph for Watson-supporters everywhere! No drowning in the mire for Stapleton. You get shot by a pissed off writer-doctor-soldier whose actor remembers that he's got a bullet lodged in his shoulder and who slugged you in the jaw earlier when he discovered that you'd killed your wife. ABOUT THAT, also o_O I totally didn't expect them to kill off Beryl Stapleton. But it was a good impetus to make Watson really furious. And in the same vein, I approved of their other subtractions as well - I forgot that they'd left out Laura Lyons until Holmes mentioned going back to London. I don't remember if they ever explained why Sir Charles was out there in the middle of the night without talking about her, but I didn't miss the whole divorce subplot.
One final thing, before I run off to dinner: the DVD I saw had a "The Making of" section, and Ian Hart made the most squee-worthy comment in his discussion of Holmes and Watson:
"We always find in any relationship the things that are lacking in ourselves. That's what you look for in the person you fall in love with... or whatever, you know? And Holmes is thinking on several levels at once. Watson is thinking on that one level. You need someone who thinks on that level. You need someone to book the tickets. *laughs* 'Watson, we need to go and catch a criminal in France. Get some tickets, would you?'"
XD Later, in the interviews, I believe he was trying a little too hard to overcompensate for that comment, because his entire interview was pretty much "Yes, I'm proud to play Watson, and did you know Watson loved women? Watson totally loved women. And I love women. Women love me. I have them banging my door down, actually." *snickers*
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Date: 2009-05-11 08:43 pm (UTC)I think you might love this site, if you liked the movie, check it out ;)
http://www.sundive.co.uk/sherlockholmes/
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Date: 2009-05-12 11:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-05-11 08:52 pm (UTC)I agree with everything you said about Watson; plus I loved that he's the only Watson I've ever seen to actually remember and portray that bad shoulder and arm - it was awesome. :D
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Date: 2009-05-12 11:06 pm (UTC)Seriously! That was the first thing my wife said when he started shooting up - "But he has a case! He only does that when he's bored!" Even she knows and she's only obsessed by proxy XD
I'm glad you liked it too :) I liked the adaptation of the story a lot, and the atmosphere was really awesome.
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Date: 2009-05-12 06:50 pm (UTC)I felt like Richard E. Grant had a big flashing sign over his head saying "villain!" Still, he's probably one of the best Stapletons I've seen.
I have to admit to a certain amount of (shock! horror!) 'het shipping' when it came to Watson and Beryl Stapleton. ;)
And I love women. Women love me. I have them banging my door down, actually
LOL Oh, he's lovely!
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Date: 2009-05-12 11:26 pm (UTC)*cracks up* He SO did XD I guess I didn't think it was obvious because I already know he's evil. I <3 him as an actor so much anyway, and I haven't ever seen him play an evil guy, so it was lovely.
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Date: 2009-05-16 02:35 pm (UTC)Angry!Watson, while, as you said, not my Canon Watson the way Burke, Solomin or Hardwicke can be, was a revelation. What it comes down to is, HOUN isn't really Holmes' story, it's Watson's. Holmes is off lurking on the Moor for so long, and then doesn't always make the best calls when he is around (a fact which this version played up, I think) whereas Watson is on the spot, being universally competent the whole way through. He has every right and then some to be pissed off at Holmes for his
lack of trustbeing a bad boyfriend, and the fact that this Watson chooses, for once, to actually show his anger is marvelous.I'm not sure when you put HOUN chronologically; it's certainly one of those "to each her own Canon" stories in terms of placement. I incline towards late summer'90 myself, though for no very coherent reasons, and thus see the spectre of Mary looming everywhere. Which gave angry!Watson and penitent!Holmes even more slashy undertones than they already had, and made me want to run off and write...
Okay, actually trying to systematically respond to your entry now :) Costumes and scenery: totally agree. Besides Dartmoor, I thought the London exteriors at the beginning were some of the best I've ever seen.
On Roxburgh: I agree that he had the facial expressions. And there was something of Holmes in the way he moved, particularly at the beginning, in Baker Street. But the look and the voice I couldn't accept. There are actors who don't look particularly like the Holmes in my head who convince me they're Holmes anyway (I'm looking at YOU, Vasily Livanov), but I had a hard time with Roxburgh. Thoroughly agree with I wish to god they'd dyed his hair. Really, how hard would that have been? But the laughing was excellent. Especially in the scene with the cabby, and on the Moor.
Watson getting shot! And the scene at the end! Awww! Although Watson's last line BROKE MY HEART. What a note to end on--"no, I haven't forgiven you and I'm still pissed and I hate your guts, but I'll go to dinner with you if only to make the last line a tiny bit less depressing." Gah! Where was the kissing and making up? Poor hopeful, let-me-make-it-up-to-you Holmes was so sweet, and then Watson just threw it right back in his face. Which was fun to watch, warming for my slashy little heart, and further proof that Watson is indeed the hero of the story, but sad :(
*does the Ian Hart dance* I need to be the jillionth person to comment on the actually-remembering-the-war-wound thing. Because, dude: AWESOME. His acting was just stellar, really, in an uber-broody sort of way. Not to mention he's awfully pretty XD Not quite a Vitaly Solomin level of pretty, but nearly.
Stapleton! When he first showed up, I went, "Wow, you're awfully nice! I would really want you to be innocent and Dr. Mortimer (who, by the by, was the only member of the supporting cast who didn't do it for me, probably because I can't see him as not-young) to be the villian!" I third the notion of him playing Holmes. He's got the look and he's got the presence. The bit where he was putting Holmes down, just before Watson storms in, was AMAZING.
I agree that the adaptation was generally good; Laura Lyons is totally unmissed. I think, by the way, that it implied that Beryl lured Sir Charles onto the Moor. The only bits that I really missed were the Mortimer deductions at the very beginning, and the fact that "I covet your skull" was given to Stapleton. But that's really just part of my larger disapproval of what they did to poor Mortimer.
I'll stop babbling at you in a minute, I swear, but one more thing: Sir Henry was fabulous, I thought. His role wasn't huge, but he carried it off with aplomb.
Thank you for posting this! Your reviews are always so much fun to read :)
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Date: 2009-05-17 04:07 pm (UTC)I KNOW XD I should have seen this movie before I saw the Russian Holmes movies, because I was so disappointed with Watson in every other non-Granada movie I'd seen. The way Watson is portrayed in many of the old movies makes me want to cry. The notable exception in what I've seen of the older stuff is Ian Fleming's Watson from the 30's Holmes movies with Arthur Wontner.
What it comes down to is, HOUN isn't really Holmes' story, it's Watson's.
I think you've hit the nail on the head here. This is probably why HOUN is one of my favorite stories, and I also think, why HOUN is one of the best of the stories in terms of plot and writing. Watson being on his own for so long was really refreshing and different.
I incline towards late summer'90 myself, though for no very coherent reasons, and thus see the spectre of Mary looming everywhere.
Oooh, interesting... That makes a lot of sense. I don't really know what I think in terms of timeline placement. I go back and forth between pre- and post-Reichenbach.
There are actors who don't look particularly like the Holmes in my head who convince me they're Holmes anyway (I'm looking at YOU, Vasily Livanov), but I had a hard time with Roxburgh.
I feel the same way about Livanov! He pulls it off so well, and once in a while I go "Holy COW, he really DOES look just like Paget-Holmes" but most of the time it's only his acting that convinces me. I didn't think Roxburgh looked at all like Holmes either, but I liked his performance... it was kind of like an AU Holmes in my head, or something.
Although Watson's last line BROKE MY HEART.
I KNOW. That was something I forgot to put in my post - this was the only part where I really thought Ian Hart's Watson was way out of character. Watson trusts Holmes without question, even when he shouldn't, and this kind of ripped me out of the story, if that makes any sense. But the scene worked in context. It was just... AU, I guess XD
Poor hopeful, let-me-make-it-up-to-you Holmes was so sweet
This sort of clinched Roxburgh's Holmes for me XD I was like "Well, okay, you're all right!"
The bit where he was putting Holmes down, just before Watson storms in, was AMAZING.
Bwah! That was the awesomest! When he patted Holmes's cheeks. Hee. Not just anybody can do that to Sherlock Holmes XD
The only bits that I really missed were the Mortimer deductions at the very beginning, and the fact that "I covet your skull" was given to Stapleton.
Yeah, it was kind of weird that they left out the deductions at the beginning, because I feel they're almost iconic of the story. I think they gave Stapleton the coveting skull bit because they thought it would increase his creepiness, but I thought that line was just hilarious coming from Mortimer XD