Sherlock Holmes: Collector's Edition (Five-Disk Edition, Tin packaging)

The 2004 date currently given in the title at the very top of this product page is not correct. This 5 DVD collection was released in 2007, a few months after Madacy released the two movies separately in 2006. On the product page there is now a later Release Date of 2011, but maybe this is also an error, as is the 2004 date mentined above? Aside from these two dates being changed from 2007, the product description page remains the same.This Madacy package contains 2 movies plus 1 documentary on 5 DVDs:SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE LEADING LADY (1991) (2 DVDs)INCIDENT AT VICTORIA FALLS (1992) (2 DVDs)THE SECRET IDENTITY OF JACK THE RIPPER (1988) (1 DVD)A booklet containing the short story A SCANDAL IN BOHEMIA is also included. Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle will recall that Irene Adler, referred to by Holmes as 'The Woman', plays a major role in this story, and she is also THE LEADING LADY in the movie included here.Prospective buyers may be interested to know that Mill Creek Entertainment has recently come out with digitally restored movies that look quite nice, so you might like to also check this out:  Sherlock Holmes - TV Miniseries Collection . I have a review of these movies there also and point out the differences in total run times. On the Madacy release, movie run times are each approximately 194 minutes, while the Mill Creek Entertainment movies are each approximately 184 minutes.This Madacy package includes an extra DVD with Peter Ustinov where experts in Criminology discuss theories as to the true identity of Jack the Ripper. This is a nice and interesting addition here, though we most likely will never know his actual identity.Now here is some info on the two movies.These were filmed in 1991 and 1992, and Christopher Lee who plays Sherlock Holmes was 69-70 years old when they were filmed, so I want to make the point that we here have an older and slower version of Holmes rather than the typical younger character who is usually portrayed as being physically and mentally invulnerable. This Holmes feels his age and states that his powers are not as great as they used to be, and he is portrayed as being more human and fallible. Therefore viewers should be prepared to expect that difference. Some may not like this change but it is actually quite valid and appropriate for the portrayal of an elderly person. Patrick MacNee is the same age as Christopher Lee and nicely plays Dr. Watson in both movies.SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE LEADING LADY:The story takes place in 1910, just 4 years before the outbreak of World War 1.A scientist in Vienna invents the first bomb that can be detonated from a distance by using a remote control. He gives the prototype and device plan to the British ambassador but these are quickly stolen from him by Bosnian terrorists. Several countries are after this device, and King Edward has Mycroft ask his brother Sherlock to take the case and retrieve both the prototype and the device plan. The plot is intricate because this is a story of international espionage and terrorists planning an assassination, and there are also sub-plots that relate to the whole.Much of the story centers around the Vienna Opera House where Irene Adler (Morgan Fairchild) is singing, and her love for Holmes is kindled. The inventor of the remote controlled bomb is murdered at the Opera House during a rehearsal and Holmes twice asks Sigmund Freud to hypnotize Irene in hopes that she will be able to recall details she can't consciously remember. Terrorist schemes also center around the Vienna Opera House as they plan a political assassination. Engelbert Humperdinck plays a role as a singer who has a brief affair with the British ambassador's wife. There are also nice touches of humor in regard to a theatre critic who hates the music director.Some have complained that the movie is too long but I personally don't think so because the sub-plots are interesting and paint a broader picture, the acting is well done so fans will enjoy watching their favorite players, and there are nice touches of humor in several places throughout the movie.SHERLOCK HOLMES & THE LEADING LADY (1991):Director - Peter SasdyExecutive producer - Harry Alan Towers aka Peter WelbeckWriters - H.R.F. Keating, Bob ShayneSherlock Holmes - Christopher LeeDr. Watson - Patrick MacNeeIrene Adler - Morgan FairchildSigmund Freud - John BennettEberhardt Bohm - Engelbert HumperdinckElliott Ness - Tom LahmSir Reginald Cholmondley - Ronald HinesMichael Simpson-Makepeace - Nicholas GecksLady Violet Cholmondley - Jenny QuayleFranz Winterhauser - Michael SiberryCaptain Von Bork - Dominic JephcottDr. Froelich - Frank MiddlemassMargarete Froelich - Charlotte AttenboroughFranz Dietrich - James BreeCount Giddings - John GowerINCIDENT AT VICTORIA FALLS:This story also takes place in 1910. King Edward VII asks Holmes to go to South Africa to ensure safe delivery to England of the Star of Africa, a priceless diamond sought after by many. Again, there are several sub-plots related to the whole. Holmes and Watson join a group of tourists, some of whom have other motives besides sight seeing. Appearances are deceptive and not everyone is who they claim to be, and this complicates things for Holmes. Along the way we meet famous actress Lily Langtree (Jenny Seagrove), the fictional Raffles, President Teddy Roosevelt (Claude Akins), and radio inventor Marconi. Again, I repeat what I said above because that statement also applies to this movie: some have complained that the movie is too long but I personally don't think so because the sub-plots are interesting and paint a broader picture, and the acting is well done.INCIDENT AT VICTORIA FALLS (1992):Director - Bill CorcoranWriting credits(WGA)Gerry O'Hara - (story)Bob Shayne - (teleplay)Cast (in credits order)Christopher Lee - Sherlock HolmesPatrick Macnee - Dr. John WatsonJenny Seagrove - Lillie LangtryJoss Ackland - King EdwardRichard Todd - Lord RobertsClaude Akins - Theodore RooseveltJohn Indi - KhumaloSteven Gurney - Gugliamo MarconiSunitha Singh - MaharaniAnthony Fridjohn- Constantine MavropolisClaudia Udy - Amelia Roosevelt MorrisonNeil McCarthy - Captain James MorrisonJay Pillay - Chandra Sen (as Pat Pillay)Dale Cutts - Superintendent Henry Van MeerAlan Coates - Stanley I. BullardMargaret John - Mrs. HudsonJerome Willis - Mycroft HolmesKessie Govendor - Ram DhulupHywell Williams - Lord MilnerKenway Baker - Inspector LestradeSangeeta Jina - Uma DhulupDominic Makuwachuma - Themba (as Dominic Makuvachuma)Ron Smerczak - Lt. Grisholm (as Ron Smervzak)Michael Brunner - Colonel ThornburyTrevor Keeling - Hotel ManagerPatrick Cadman - TelegrapherStephen Chigorimbo - Waiter on Train (as Steve Chigorimbo)Jones Muguse - Chief CookAnthony Fairclough - OfficerBrian Cooper - ConductorLawford Sutton - Price- Sergeant FullerMichael Parker - Maitre D'Kala Jina - Neighbor WomanTaffy Chihota - Desk Clerk #1 (as Tafi Chiota)Andrew Whaley - Desk Clerk #2Trevor Pugh - ConneryPaul Tingay - Anglican MinisterBrian McCurdy - CoachmanTo recap:The Mill Creek Entertainment DVDs have digitally restored movies but these are approximately 10 minutes shorter than the Madacy versions.The Madacy movies are not digitally restored but that package includes the extra Jack the Ripper DVD.Both packages have their merits, so if you really enjoyed these movies you may well want to check out and buy both since they are not expensive.

Very good Sherlock Holmes stories.What I found interesting was the inclusion of other famous people, both real and fictional. For example, we have Pres. Theodore Roosevelt, (one of my favorite presidents). We have Dr. Freud, and Marconi, the inventor of modern radio. These characters are rolled into the stories in an interesting manner.A slight distraction is the fact that Dr. Watson was played by Patrick Macnee, every time I see Patrick, I'm reminded of Diana Riggs. I love The Avengers also. I wouldn't put these movies at the level of Basil Rathbone. However, these were clearly big-budget productions filmed in exotic locations. A bad habit of mine is trying to find modern appliances in settings that are 100 years old. For example, I did notice some chain-link fences and a window unit air-conditioner. Not too common in 1910.Anyway, if you like Sherlock Holmes I think you'll enjoy these films.

I wanted to own both of the Christopher Lee, as Sherlock Holmes and Patrick Macnee, as Dr. John Watson, movies made for television for a while, but thought that the price, individually, for Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady (1991) and Incident At Victoria Falls (1992) was too steep. But, put both these TV-Movies into one attractable tin box and add a very interesting Documentary (of sorts) about Jack the Ripper and you have me purchasing. They threw in the "Short" story that started it all; A Scandal in Bohemia, which a novice Sherlockian can read, to discover the true creation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. As far as the two tele-films... Christopher Lee fits the part of Holmes like a hand to a glove, albeit, a withered hand and a weathered glove. It's too bad that he wasn't given a chance to portray the part in his younger career. Well, he did, back in 1962, but his rich voice was dubbed and the script was pretty poor. I'd recommend this collection, if you are a Christopher Lee or Sherlockian/Holmesian fan.

This was a wonderful DVD, I love Holmes stories and would recommend this to everyone. The freebee of Jack The Ripper, is well done but very boring. I bought this from the used section for $4.95 I see they are now down to $1.95 with added shipping cost. The only problem I found was the # 4 disk did not work. With my refund I can buy another and finish the story. Even with all of this going on it is worth the hassle to see these stories. You may get lucky and all of your DVD might work. even with the problems it is a great buy.

This is really an extravagant piece of marketing nonsense. It's absolutely beautiful. The TV movies are pretty OK derivative pieces with 2 of the greatest British actors perfectly cast. You can see the movies free on-line at Hulu, so it's really a case of enjoying the extras and having a very cool thing to put on your Sherlock Holmes shelf.

Patrick MacNee and Christopher Lee are two longtime favorites. They know their craft and it shows in these two films. They're well suited to their rolls. Sherlock Homes stories are classics. You don't get tired of them. I don't foresee getting bored with these movies. This is an above average set. The tin case is nice storage. There are extras included. I haven't watch the Jack The Ripper special yet so i can't vouch for that. I'm glad i got this.

Christopher Lee's take on the character is superb (as is most everything he's done). Patrick McNee manages to play the difficult part of an intelligent doctor who appears foolish only next to Holmes' unsurpassed genius. Morgan Fairchild is completely unbelievable as "The Woman", but was probably chosen as a product of the time this was filmed.Very engaging stories.

If I didn't already have an extensive collection of Sherlock Holmes films, I would be greatly disappointed. The two movies featured are obscure titles, but the enclosed documentary is interesting, and the box is unusual - but you cannot watch a box on you DVD player!

This was purchased for my brother as a Christmas gift and it was beautifully packaged. He absolutely loves it and will watch it over and over again. He is a down's syndrome man and loves all things Sherlock. The fact that these dvd's came in there own tin storage can was a bonus. What I saw as he viewed some of the episodes is that they are good quality video that play well. So we were pleased all the way around.