Cumberbatch is Going Down!

[rusty_armour]

Going down to #5 on my mental list of favourite Sherlock Holmeses. While it's possible that the quote was taken out of context, I'm still not happy with what Benedict Cumberbatch had to say about Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock: The Casebook:

"...I think Brett's interpretation, masterful though it is, is always going to be something of its own. It becomes something that isn't Sherlock Holmes."

Now, if Cumberbatch was arguing that there are moments when Brett's interpretation is more Brett than Holmes, I'd be okay with that because, quite frankly, it's probably true. I'd even understand if Cumberbatch was referring to Brett's interpretation in the Granada episodes from 1990 and beyond because they were absolute crap -- though I blame this on the writing more than Brett's performance. Unfortunately, this sounds like Brett's interpretation in general isn't Sherlock Holmes and that's just not on. No, I'm sorry, Cumberbatch, but until my temper cools (or I rewatch an episode of Sherlock), Douglas Wilmer is moving up to the #4 and you're sliding down to #5. If I was angrier (or feeling a bit more patriotic), you might be falling down to #6 and trading places with Christopher Plummer.

My issues with Cumberbatch aside, I'm really enjoying Sherlock: The Casebook. It's worth it for Sherlock's catty post-it notes alone. *g*

Comments

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely not as knowledgeable as you when it comes to the subject of Sherlock Holmes, I can see why you decided to put Benedict Cumberbatch a step lower on the ladder.
His comments aside, I'm actually a bit surprised he wasn't higher up in the first place. Who are your #2 and #3?

BTW - whilst on the subject... I still can't get myself to watch the US-version of Sherlock. I tried, but the actor playing SH just doesn't look the part!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely not as knowledgeable as you when it comes to the subject of Sherlock Holmes, I can see why you decided to put Benedict Cumberbatch a step lower on the ladder.

Thanks for understanding why Benedict Cumberbatch had to be placed a step lower on the ladder, radiogaga80. It's not permanent. I'm sure he'll rise back to #4 again soon. *g*

His comments aside, I'm actually a bit surprised he wasn't higher up in the first place. Who are your #2 and #3?

My #2 is Robert Stephens and my #3 is Basil Rathbone. As much as I love Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal, I have to put Brett, Stephens and Rathbone ahead of him.

BTW - whilst on the subject... I still can't get myself to watch the US-version of Sherlock. I tried, but the actor playing SH just doesn't look the part!

At least you tried to watch it. I haven't even done that much. As far as I'm concerned, Elementary is a Sherlock cash grab. Oh, sure, they're arguing that it's different because it's set in New York and there's a female Watson (which isn't new), but the fact that it's a modern setting screams the truth. I also had the misfortune to catch a tiny bit of it one night when I was channel surfing and the dialogue was awful. Of course, it may have just been that one scene -- and maybe it just seemed awful out of context, but...No. Just no.

[lazigyrl.livejournal.com]

Benedict does sometimes has way of wording things that upsets the fan, which may explain why he does a good Sherlock. ;-)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm sure it wasn't his intention to put down Jeremy Brett. He was just being honest. A little too honest. *g* Well, actors say they bring a bit of themselves to their performances, so maybe this does explain why he makes a good Sherlock. ;-)

[maggie-conagher.livejournal.com]

hesitant to weigh in on this because I am new to Sherlock and only know BC's portrayal. Still reading through ACD canon for the first time.

This quote is familiar to me from a longer article I read though.

this is my faulty memory, it was on tumblr sometime in recent past.

BC was being asked about getting lost in the character and I think this quote is talking about how Brett gave himself so fully to the performance that it became a risk for him emotionally and that made it not just about Sherlock but about Brett's sacrifice for his art.

It stuck with me because I worry about actors but at the time I thought how lucky we are to follow a program where all leads seem to be on solid ground emotionally. BC is the only one w/o a steady partner, but he has lots of good friends who keep him grounded.

Since Brett was a friend of his parents, I do not think that BC meant any harm. This was an unfortunate pulling of a quote. BC makes speeches, long articulate answers that don't fit today's sound byte media. Sorry you had to see it this way and be upset. You are always careful and fair.

But number 4 on your list as an afficianado is still high praise.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Thanks for weighing in, maggie_conagher! Your comment is fabulous! :-) I think you're absolutely right about BC meaning no harm by his comment. For his parents' sake alone, I don't think he would intentionally say anything hurtful about Jeremy Brett's performance. And I agree that Brett probably did sacrifice too much for his art and that there would have been moments, especially towards the end when his health was so bad, when that would have shown on screen. I think what's bothering me is that BC seems to be implying that what Brett brought to his performance wasn't Sherlock Holmes at all because he was too caught up in his own personal battle. It's possible that BC meant to say that Brett's struggle sometimes came through in his performance and that there were moments when he seemed more like Brett than Holmes. I'd be okay with that because it's probably true in those later episodes at least. However, as far as I'm concerned, I think Brett was spot on a lot of the time, which is more than you can say for a lot of actors who have played Holmes.

BTW, it's sweet of you to worry about me being upset. :-) And I think you're being much too kind in your assessment of me. I mean, I try to be careful and fair, but I can certainly be bitchy at times, especially if it's something I'm passionate about. You just have to hear my opinion of Elementary and the Guy Ritchie films to know that. *g*

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with Jeremy Brett's portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, but Cumberbatch's comment is rather insulting. I quite understand your moving him down a notch!
i'm glad the comment hasn't spoiled your enjoyment of Sherlock: The Casebook.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, please, please, please watch some of the Jeremy Brett episodes if you get the chance! I'm sure you won't regret it! A lot of the full episodes are on YouTube. I can send you links for the earlier episodes (like The Speckled Band) if you're interested. In fact, here's an excellent clip someone posted that showcases why Brett was so brilliant in the role:



I have to admit that I'm rather biased when it comes to Jeremy Brett. He was my first Sherlock Holmes (if you don't count Sherlock Hemlock) and PBS was showing his best episodes just as I was getting into Sherlock Holmes. I was also at a very impressionable age (13), so I'm sure that didn't help either. *g*

Thanks for understanding about my crazy mental list, not to mention the re-shuffle. *g* And Cumberbatch's comment hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of the book. I'm still very happy with it. :-)

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

I don't follow Sherlock Holmes in any form and I think I have only ever seen Basil Rathbone's version (aside from Sherlock Hemlock on Sesame Street) so I can't really comment on that. I just popped in to say I really enjoy when you get grumpy about something like this. Your arguments are always very articulate and reasoned.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! That's awesome! It's very kind of you to say that my arguments are articulate and reasoned! I think you're being too generous in your praise, but I'm happy you get a kick out of my grumpy posts! :-D Here's some Sherlock Hemlock just for you:

[njc2007.livejournal.com]

Thank you for Sherlock Hemlock. He actually reminds me of a book I'm reading right now called Why People Believe Weird Things. This interaction puts me in mind of the section on cold readings done by psychics.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

No problem! I'm glad you got a kick out of it. :-) Actually, it worked out nicely because my sister needed cheering up, so I sent her this vid -- along with a couple of other Sherlock Hemlock sketches. She loves Ernie, so I thought they might amuse her.

That book you're reading sounds really interesting! :-)

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

I think even in the 1980s, there was some criticism that Brett was straying too much from the canonical Holmes. However, it's funny to hear Cumberbatch make it, when all modern performances - Cumberbatch's included - take so much from Brett. There's a tendency for people to denigrate their most obvious influences. And I think that's what is happening here. Jeremy Brett casts a very long shadow.

I think Jonny Lee Miller is entertaining, but he's a bit more House than Holmes. Elementary is better than most shit on American network TV, but it's no Sherlock either.

So, what did you think of the Big Finish Hound of the Baskervilles?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I think even in the 1980s, there was some criticism that Brett was straying too much from the canonical Holmes. However, it's funny to hear Cumberbatch make it, when all modern performances - Cumberbatch's included - take so much from Brett. There's a tendency for people to denigrate their most obvious influences. And I think that's what is happening here. Jeremy Brett casts a very long shadow.

I'm trying to give Cumberbatch the benefit of the doubt. I don't think he was intentionally denigrating Brett as he's been respectful of Brett's portrayal in other interviews I've read. However, the quote does make it sound like Cumberbatch doesn't believe Brett was delivering an accurate portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, which pisses me off. While I don't think Brett's performance was always perfect, I think he did an excellent job most of the time (in the episodes before 1990).

I think Jonny Lee Miller is entertaining, but he's a bit more House than Holmes. Elementary is better than most shit on American network TV, but it's no Sherlock either.

Well, I know it has its fans and it must be doing well because they're supposed to be filming a second season. However, I just can't bring myself to watch it, even if it is better than most shit on American network TV. *g*

So, what did you think of the Big Finish Hound of the Baskervilles?

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. However, I'll be listening to it soon because I need to clean my apartment. *g* I'll let you know what I think once I do listen to it. I'm looking forward to hearing Nicholas Briggs as Holmes.

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

Ah my heart flutters at the mere thought of Jeremy Brett. What a wonderful Sherlock he was, he's definitely my absolute favourite. I suspect Mr Cumberbatch's comment is not as stinging when in context though I well understand your wrath. Poor Mr Brett was so mentally sick by the end of his life and was so intertwined with the character that it's hard to tell in the much later episodes if we're seeing Sherlock or Jeremy sometimes, they were so close together. *hugs* We know Jeremy will always be number one :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Ah my heart flutters at the mere thought of Jeremy Brett.

Herne, tell me about it! The same goes for me! ♥

What a wonderful Sherlock he was, he's definitely my absolute favourite.

I'm so happy to hear that! I knew you were a fan of the Granada series, so I'm not at all surprised! Always wonderful to hear it, though! :-D

I suspect Mr Cumberbatch's comment is not as stinging when in context though I well understand your wrath. Poor Mr Brett was so mentally sick by the end of his life and was so intertwined with the character that it's hard to tell in the much later episodes if we're seeing Sherlock or Jeremy sometimes, they were so close together. *hugs*

*Hugs in return* I have a feeling that BC was probably thinking of those much later episodes when he made that comment, which is understandable. Personally, I blame bad writing more than Jeremy Brett, but I get what BC is saying if that is his argument.

We know Jeremy will always be number one :)

Absolutely! :-D

[ext-1780375.livejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

I love this...I have a list of favourite Holmeses as well, believe me...

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's awesome! I'm very happy that you enjoyed this post and have a list of favourite Holmeses as well! :-D Thanks for taking the time to comment! It's always great to hear from a fellow Sherlock Holmes aficionado!