The Mystery of Sherlock Holmes

Gr 9 Up—The popularity of mystery and detective fiction is credited to its most famous sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. This program focuses on the fame achieved by this character, which eclipses that of the author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Lengthy black-and-white footage from a variety of movies depicting Holmes provides keen insight into plot development, settings, and literary elements that helped Doyle develop his character over time. Doyle, born in the mid 1800s, appears in a fascinating filmed interview and, while the audio is a bit muffled, it provides a rare glimpse into the author's life and times. Trained as a doctor, and influenced by a professor named Joseph Bell, it is clear that scientific methodology and diagnosis by deduction played a large role in each story. Doctor Watson is also described by the narrator as a trusted companion who brings organization to Sherlock's chaos. Along with film footage, many graphics, photographs, and archival items are shown, including some of the props Holmes is noted for carrying, such as his magnifying glass, pipe, and cane. The bonus DVD contains three classic Sherlock Holmes full-length movies: Dressed to Kill, The Woman in Green, and Terror by Night. Although too lengthy for normal classroom time constraints, this informative program would be most appropriate for advanced high school and undergraduate level analysis of Doyle's works and films.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia Jr. Sr. High School, NY