The Hound of the Baskervilles [2002] [DVD]

From Amazon.co.uk With 17 previous screen adaptations behind it, this 2002 BBC version of The Hound of the Baskervilles might have been inhibited by the sheer weight of expectation. But in this production--marking the centenary of Arthur Conan Doyle's novel--director David Attwood rings the changes subtly and strikingly, helped by Allan Cubitt's tautly argued script and Christopher Hall's vivid production: the viewer feels the "presence" of the moors as never before. Richard Roxburgh is a thoughtful, understated Sherlock Holmes--self-absorbed yet observant of life around him. There's nothing bumbling or ineffectual about Ian Hart's Dr Watson--a resourceful thinker who, often sceptical of Holmes, complements him in human awareness. Richard E Grant dons a plausibly sociopathic manner as Stapleton, and there's a touching portrayal of his put-upon sister from Neve McIntosh. John Nettles and Geraldine James contribute sterling character parts as Dr and Mrs Mortimer, and Matt Day is a suave, not too sophisticated Sir Henry Baskerville. It adds up to a convincing rethink of a hallowed tale. On the DVD: The Hound of the Baskervilles on disc comes with a 16:9 picture that reproduces the sombre atmosphere of Baskerville Hall--shot at a variety of English locations--with real immediacy, and the Dolby Digital sound has 5.1 surround enhancement. Subtitles are in 11 languages, with 10 scene selections--framed in a stylishly- presented main menu. Special Features include a 12-minute making of documentary and interviews with the cast members, as well as a running commentary from Attwood and Hall. --Richard Whitehouse Product Description Adaptation of the classic Sherlock Holmes thriller, first shown as part of the BBC Christmas line-up in 2002. Holmes (Richard Roxburgh) is called in when Sir Charles Baskerville seemingly falls prey to the family curse: a hell-hound which is said to haunt the moors of Devon. However, rather than investigate personally, Holmes opts to send his trusted colleague Doctor Watson (Ian Hart) to take up residence at Baskerville Hall and begin looking into the matter. This gives the great detective time to conduct an investigation of his own... From the Back Cover Starring Richard Roxburgh as Sherlock Holmes, Ian Hart as Dr Watson and Richard E. Grant as Stapleton. With John Nettles, Geraldine James, Matt Day, Neve McIntosh, Ron Cook and Liza Tarbuck. DVD Special Features: Commentary with the Producer Christopher Hall and the Director David Attwood The Making of The Hound of the Baskervilles Interviews with the cast Dolby Digital 5.1 Sound 16:9 ratio Subtitles: English SDH, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Hebrew, Greek, Turkish