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.