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Who do you imagine sherlock holmes as while reading?
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Rohit
(last edited Aug 24, 2012 06:40AM)
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Aug 24, 2012 03:16AM
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A young Basil Rathbone as Holmes and a manlier David Hyde Pierce as Watson. A friend's husband is the perfect Mycroft!
I imagine Sherlock Holmes as either Jeremy Brett or Benedict Cumberbatch, depending on my mood. Mostly it's Jeremy, but if I've been on a Sherlock binge I'll probably see Benedict. For Watson I'll always see Edward Hardwicke.
Holmes is Brett and for an very god reason, Watson is lance armstrong. Even though I love all the Watson adaptions ^^;
Shawna wrote: "Holmes is Brett and for an very god reason, Watson is lance armstrong. Even though I love all the Watson adaptions ^^;"Are you suggesting that Watson was doping?
I started reading Holmes so long ago (well I'm not saying :-0) that the only Holmes I vaguely knew was Basil's. Needless to say my "vision" is a cross between Peter Cushing and Jeremy Brett - portraying more of the ink illustrations that I've seen in reproductions of the old Strand copies. It is Watson that never comes out the same but Edward Hardwicke pops up frequently.
For me it's always Jeremy Brett. I started reading the books while I was also watching the Granada Production with Jeremy Brett. And also Edward Hardwicke as Watson. Jeremy and Edward did such a fantastic job portraying Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.
Ken wrote: "Shawna wrote: "Holmes is Brett and for an very god reason, Watson is lance armstrong. Even though I love all the Watson adaptions ^^;"Are you suggesting that Watson was doping?"
No No no. It's just the physique of him.
Basil Rathbone for Holmes and for Watson the image changes depending on what story I am reading. Most of the time though it is Edward Hardwicke.
Jeremy Brett IS Holmes! I'm not sure who I imagine as Watson but it is probably David Burke or Edward Hardwicke
I read the stories with the Paget illustrations, so I usually picture that. 
Walter Paget (the one on the left) modeled for Sidney Paget (right), so I guess that's what my Holmes looks like. I do however, strongly see Jude Law as Watson. But David Hyde Pierce is good too! I used to have a HUGE crush on Niles...
When both reading and writing I always picture Holmes as portrayed by Jeremy Brett.
Douglas Wilmer as Holmes, Nigel Stock as Watson, as in the B.B.C. series from 1965.
For me Jeremy as Holmes, but David Burke as Watson. His was a lighter touch then Edward's, never farcical as Nigel Stock could be, but the comedy of character.
Benedict, Brett or Tom Baker. I'm biased about Tom Baker as I'm as Dr.Who fan as much as a Sherlock Holmes fan. Most people forget Tom Baker even played Holmes, of course.
Jeremy Brett every single time. He was the first Holmes I watched as a child and forever will be my "visual" interpretation of Holmes. ;)
I always see Jeremy Brett as Holmes when reading the original stories or any pastiche that is set in that era. If I came across a "modern" Holmes story, I might see Benedict Cumberbatch instead. In my mind, Cumberbatch is linked more with the up-dated Sherlock --- the speech pattern is different and it's sassier.
Interesting point. I think Benedict could play the more trad style, though, having watched him in Parade's End today.
I have the audio version of Sherlock Holmes: The Rediscovered Railway and Other Stories on hold at my library, read by Benedict. After listening to it, I'm sure I'll be hearing his voice everywhere.
Would like to see Cumberbatch and Freeman attempt a classic Holmes story set in the proper time...think they could pull it off.
I hear Brett's voice while I am writing my pastiches. That rather light, somewhat ironic, and at the same time driven voice is perfect. I see the Sidney Paget character (but Brett is close to that as well).
I love Jeremy Brett as Holmes, but tend to picture him as leaner and more athletic like Benedict Cumberhatch in some stories. Watson is either Edward Hardwiche or Martin Freeman. Maybe Cumberbatch/Freeman in the 1880s and Brett/Hardwiche closer to 1900.
Robert Downey Jr is the absolute LAST person I would ever imagine as Holmes. UGH! I see and hear Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke as Holmes and Watson. I adore Cumberbatch and Freeman but JB will always be the definitive Holmes. I was fotunate enough to meet JB in 1991 when he came to Atlanta for a PBS event. He was gracious, funny, friendly, and very much the English gentleman. No actor will ever match his skill in bringing Sherlock to life.
"UGH"? Ouch! :) I can definitely understand someone not being a fan of Downey's portrayal of Holmes personally, but I have quite a soft spot for him in the role himself -- seeing as Downey was the "Holmes" that first made me love the character.As such, my mental picture of Holmes often fluctuates between my three favorites (depending on which story/scene I'm reading): Downey, Rathbone, and Livanov (I know the latter was not particularly a match for the physical description of Holmes, but dang if he didn't nail the character personality-wise!). Watson is nearly always Jude Law ...
... that is, whenever I picture the characters as one of their film incarnations, which is not always. I generally get a mental "feel" for a book character that never quuuuite matches up to any on-screen portrayal I may have seen, because how I "see" them when I'm reading has more to do with how they feel than how they look. So sometimes, I'll see Downey or Rathbone when I'm reading -- but as often as not, I simply see "my" Holmes. If that makes sense. :)
Rose, I agree with you on Robert Downey. I thought he did a great job. So did Jude Law. I love those movies and hope they continue the series. I still picture Holmes more as Jeremy Brett, but Law fits my picture of Watson.
I adore the Cumberbatch/Freeman combo. That's who I think of/hear.
Benedict Cumberbatch most definitely. I think out of all the Holmes' I have seen, he is definitely the best. He portrays exactly what I imagined holmes as and more. Love love love him as an actor.
And what girls doesn't just SWOON when she hears Benedict Cumberbatch's voice?
In looks, I think Basil Rathbone has it. Mr. Rathbone was also an excellent swordsman, as was SH. But Jeremy Brett has Holmes somewhat prickly manner down cold. I liked Nicole Williamson as SH too. As Watson, I like both Edward Hardwiche, and David Burke. I also thoroughly enjoy Cumberbatch/Freeman as the famous duo. I do think Benedict is too good-looking to be Holmes. Martin Freeman is a really fine actor! Like him in everything.
I actually have a blending of Jeremy Brett and Basil Rathbone in mind for Holmes when I read one of the tales or write a fic. For Watson a younger Edward Hardwicke and perhaps slightly taller. Watson is never clearly described in the stories, or at least I don't recall the description.
Rohit wrote: "While you read the novel...whom do u imagine sherlock holmes as? and john watson?? i imagine Sherlock Holmes as Robert Downey Jr. and Watson as Jude law :) i loved the 2009 movie very much... what ..."Jeremy Brett! Almost exactly! Especially if he yells something. He looked almost exactly like that before I even watched the Granada adaptations.
He always looks slightly different in my head, though, in the books ... there's only a subtle difference, but he's different.
Anne wrote: "Jeremy Brett IS Holmes! I'm not sure who I imagine as Watson but it is probably David Burke or Edward Hardwicke"Same with me ... a mix of both, I think.
Amanda wrote: "I started reading the books while I was also watching the Granada Production with Jeremy Brett. "
Me, too! :) I started reading them just before starting the adaptations.
Just wanted to share this quote with you ... it's actually by Jeremy Brett - I just found it:(On playing the "definitive" Sherlock Holmes) "I've done 33 Sherlock Holmes stories and bits of them are all right. But the definitive Sherlock Holmes is really in everyone's head. No actor can fit into that category because every reader has his own ideal."
Joanna wrote: "I read the stories with the Paget illustrations, so I usually picture that. Walter Paget (the one on the left) modeled for Sidney Paget (right), so I guess that's what my Holmes looks like. I do ..."
I also picture a Holmes close to the illustrations in Strand Magazine or Jeremy brett since he is in that time period and resembles the illustrations
Demetrius wrote: "Joanna wrote: "I read the stories with the Paget illustrations, so I usually picture that. Walter Paget (the one on the left) modeled for Sidney Paget (right), so I guess that's what my Holmes lo..."
He does resemble the illustrations, doesn't he? I found one the other day that looked almost exactly like him, it was amazing.
Johanna ღ♣✽Hobbit and Proud✽♣ღ wrote: "Just wanted to share this quote with you ... it's actually by Jeremy Brett - I just found it:(On playing the "definitive" Sherlock Holmes) "I've done 33 Sherlock Holmes stories and bits of them a..."
That is a great quote from Jeremy Brett... but he is still the DEFINITIVE Sherlock Holmes to me.
(Although Robert Downey Jr is definitely the hottest Holmes ;) )
Anne wrote: "Johanna ღ♣✽Hobbit and Proud✽♣ღ wrote: "Just wanted to share this quote with you ... it's actually by Jeremy Brett - I just found it:(On playing the "definitive" Sherlock Holmes) "I've done 33 She..."
Haha.
Jeremy Brett. He is a perfect portrayal of the character. I cannot imagine anyone else than him in the role. I watched the movie the other day but was plain disappointed in Downey. I just kept picturing Brett delivering the dialogues from Granada series.
Asha wrote: " Jeremy Brett. He is a perfect portrayal of the character. I cannot imagine anyone else than him in the role. I watched the movie the other day but was plain disappointed in Downey. I just kept pi..."
Pretty much agreed. :)
I imagine him looking like Basil Rathbone but acting more like Jeremy Brett...
Jeremy Brett.Though, curiously, I always picture Solar Pons as Paul McGann.
I have the print edition of THE CLASSIC ILLUSTRATED SHERLOCK HOLMES, with the original artwork by Sidney Paget (who died in 1908.)It intrigues me that Paget's illustrations of Holmes are the SPITTING IMAGE of Basil Rathbone. Did director Roy William Neill purposely seek an actor who looked like Paget's drawings? If so, he succeeded very well.
When Jeremy Brett's MYSTERY! series on PBS launched in the 80s, I resisted him, having been imprinted decades earlier by the Rathbone movies, but as the years have gone by, I have begun to appreciate that both actors hit as the mark quite accurately. (Probably in the same way that a mother with two daughters who don't look like each other will often be told that each daughter resembles her.)
Basil Rathbone every time. I still watch the movies on PBS and have CD's of some of them. Wonderful stuff.
Jonny Lee Miller, physically, intellectually and emotionally is the only one that fits the bill! All others are pure TV characters, resembeling stereo type heroes and little to do with the real spirit of Conan Doyle's Sherlock.RDJ is a pure Hollywoodian Holmes, Cumberbatch is a reinvention of Holmes with pathetic cigarette patches, not enough of self discipline to struggle to deal with his addiction and a character halfway between a less well groomed James Bond and a more of a Londonian Dr. Who. J Brett fitted well in the context of a Victoraian portrayal of Holmes and B Rathbone was just an upper class English detective with more flare than usual detectives, no more and no less. With JLM, we discover the multi-faceted and sometimes contradictory nature of Sherlock Holmes as Conan Doyle intended him to be known. JLM also has the charisma, the genuine English diction as well as the good looks.
Silvio - spot on. Basil Rathbone does look a lot like Paget's SH which is, I'm sure, why I imagine him as SH.
Actually, there are Paget's illustrations of Sherlock Holmes on the Sherlokian-sherlock.com put next to JLM's photos and NOT Basil Rathbone's in order to show JLM's resemblance.
Sorry, it's still Basil for me; his portrayal of the slightly prissy, fidgety, neurosis-laden, egotist with all the hidden facets to his personality only occasionally revealed is spot on. The others are cool too.
Basil is great as Sherlock, but he treated Watson as quite dense, bordering on retarded, in a kindly yet patriarchal manner that is hard to stomach today. Benedict is too cool but his sidekick is the perfect understated Watson. I forget his name but he works for me.Anna
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Name of the Wind (other topics)Half a King (other topics)
Sherlock Holmes: The Rediscovered Railway Mysteries and Other Stories (other topics)
