Top 10 Sherlock Holmes Portrayals
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- Опубліковано 2 сер 2024
- Join www.WatchMojo.com as we count down the top 10 Sherlock Holmes Portrayals in film and television. Special thanks to our users "jellybomb12", "Adam L. Donaldson", "meneertje25", "TimeQueenOfRome" and "gellah1SD" for submitting the idea on our WatchMojo.com/suggest page!
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watchmojo.com/suggest/Top%2010...
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Thanks a lot for mentioning the Russian version of Sherlock. Vasiliy Livanov's portrayal was absolutely unique, and he was even awarded with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. But everybody used persistently not to mention this film
Not to say the iconic music
All the people saying Cumberbatch should be #1....
Yes, BBC Sherlock was the show that got me interested in the Sherlock Holmes character, but let's be honest, Jeremy Brett is the closest Holmes to canon Holmes himself.
+melodyy xx nope, the closest version is by Vasily Livanov.
+Madina Tash I don´t think so, Brett was born for this role.
+Madina Tash Nope the more faithful to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes is Jeremy Brett. Or you have never read Doyle's work. Sherlock WAS a drug user.
Also Benedict said in an interview that he contacted Jeremy Brett for tips for portraying Sherlock! I think that Brett is the legend Sherlock and then Benedict comes second!You have to admit that he plays Sherlock from a new perspective and his task is very difficult given the fact he portrays that character in the 21th century!love them both (maybe Benedict a little more but still) ☺
Garry Iglesias I think you never read Sherlock since you think Brett is the best. I doubt you watched a soviet verision. Unlike Brett, Vasiliy Livanov received the Most Excellent Order of the Brtisih Empire for his portrayal of Sherlock. Besides an accuracy of the movie, it was found that V.Livanov not only prefectly played Sherlock, but he even looked like the way A.C.Doyle described him in his books.
Vasilij Livanov is a great Sherlock actually (for the record) and I'm glad he made it to the fourth spot... though I wouldn't complain if he would be recognized for his portrayal more often
I mean common: that man got a friggin medal for his acting
What ? Livanov on №4 ?! That's the best Sherlock portrayal of them all.
Well, Not a Brett for sure. I`ve seen Rathbone only for a minute on here, but I liked him better. And yes, Livanov is perfect for that, but it`s a matter of taste here...
As much as I love Benedict, Jeremy Brett will always be 'the' Sherlock Holmes to me.
Vasily Livanov . He was awarded by queen Elizabeth II as a best Sherlock Holmes.
And his name is pronounced lee-vanov.
No, he wasn't.
He was awarded for promoting British culture.
He was awarded as the best continental Sherlock Holmes (it means British actors don't count)
He is honorary member of the order of the British Empire. "British Ambassador in Russia on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II awarded Vasily Livanov with the Order of the Commander of the British Empire. Vasily Livanov was short in his response: “God Save the Queen and the great Russian art!”"
I agree with this entirely. You got it right. Jeremy Brett is the classic Sherlock Holmes and Cumberbatch is the best modern Sherlock.
+Rachel Wyld Petrenko is the best Sherlock
I agree
+Rachel Wyld I heartily second that!! :-D Brett: Best Classic (Runner-Up: Rathbone) Cumberbatch: Best Modern (hands down)!!
+Rachel Wyld Jeremy Brett is Sherlock Holmes forever.
+Rachel Wyld Personally I don't think that anyone will ever reach the bench mark the late JB made, he was Holmes in the flesh.
Vasily Livanov and Jeremy Brett are the best ones )
i'm so happy that you included Livanov here! he truly was one of the best Sherlocks, and it sucks that he is only known in russian-speaking countries
It is quite easy to deduce that Jeremy Brett is by far the best Sherlock Holmes to date.
Russian is the best
No jeremy brett is best
Livanov is the best
Obviously
Vasiliy Livanov is the best no doubt! He was even awarded a membership of the Order of British Empire for his portraial of Holmes, his portrait is on New Zeland coins as a portrait of Sherlock.
@@cain527 I speak English well enough to see your poor language skills, dearie.
@@cain527 good jokes, American version war and peace is the worst of all the adaptation versions, see actors who do not match the description of the novel, poor war scenes and acting like memorizing scripts that have no soul.
@@cain527 he just stated his opinion, you don't have to make it a big deal. Be matured enough to understand other people's opinions and move on. And those insults makes you look more immature.
@@cain527 I'm starting to think you're 12. lmao
@@spicydokitoburger I mean, what else would you expect from someone who not only names themselves partly as "Hooligan" but is also cowardly enough to not go by his real name?
Vasily Livanov is the best Sherlock Holmes!
Неа, и близко не лучший. Не хватает ему резкости, пружинистости и капельки высокомерия. Ну и кокаина ещё.)
YES HE IS!!!!!!! You are absolutely right ))))
i was very happy to see that russian portrayal also made to the list.. I feared that Americans might not have heard about Livanov's Sherlock.. I also hoped that Cumberbatch will be higher on the list but oh well..
YES! I'm glad you put the Russian version on the list. Livanov is my favorite Holmes.
Jeremy Brett is portraying the stories best in my opinion. Just how I imagined the character through the books.
@@cain527 stop copying and pasting this paragraph. It is an opinion OK. I think Jeremy Brett is the best, you can think differently that's your opinion.
@@cain527 hi, i'm gonna tell you something that might hurt your feelings deeply, you might get really offended by it since you are a dickhead. okay here we go. you are gay!
@@cain527 damn......
@@cain527 i think i just saw you bashing the Soviet version in the very last comment.
Btw, find things to do and stop insulting people.
Livanov (Lee-VA-nov) underrated. What a character!
BBC Sherlock is my favourite. But that's probably because the whole show is so well made. Martin Freeman is really good as Watson, the music is really good, its exciting, its funny, its modern etc.
You know that the actor in the Russian version of it got The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his role?
Stepan Lavrinenko Awesome!
Наш самый лучший!
@sxnderr ツ а то!
@@cain527 not being able to speak or understand English does not matter as he did not right or produce the British atmosphere, and he did in fact get recognition even from the queen for his portrayal as Sherlock. If you do not believe me or Stephan (guy who commented) you can just open up google and check yourself
@@cain527 you commented that livanov is really good in another post so Idk what you believe.
YES!! Jeremy Brett was NUMBER 1!!! I love Cumberbatch as much as the next guy, but to me, Brett is the definitive Sherlock Holmes.
Russian version is the best...
Agreed kate
@@cain527 shut the f u c k up you idiot b i ch
@@cain527 well it doesn't matter if you like them or not, but the way you tell about them is unrespectful.
@@cain527 my English is good enough just to see your poor attitude and your fragile soul, my dear.
Jeremy Bret WAS Sherlock Holmes. His performances were mesmerizing and perfect. THE correct choice....
Just something to note as taken off IMDB and Wikipedia about the Russian portrayals of Sherlock Holmes by Vasily Livanov and Vitali Solomin:
In 2000 Livanov and his co-star Vitali Solomin were voted the best impersonators of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in a poll by English press. For his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, Livanov was decorated with the Order of the British Empire of the second degree (2006), becoming the first Russian film actor to receive such an honor.
The daughter of Arthur Conan Doyle Jean Conan Doyle once commented that her father would approve Livanov as Holmes.
In my opinion his portrayal of the character, and the work of Benedict Cumberbatch should both take the first spot on this list.
Jeremy Brett hands the best his performance was poetry.
+wastedpotential616 hands down
When you reply to yourself
+Spraghetiiedogses I was correcting the original post, in my haste I left out down in hands down, thought that was obvious or was that an attempt at humour?
+wastedpotential616 just making a joke sorry
+Spraghetiiedogses No I'm sorry, didn't
mean to come across as a dick, that was a bit overly defensive of me.
So many Sherlock-fans, but I doubt many of them seen soviet film with Livanov. ;)
But how many actors were awarded by Holmes' Homeland for his acting as one?
Actually, I really wanna know, if there were any?
+Евгений Доценко Livanov's version is the best one
Vasily Livanov was awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by a British ambassador. So even Holmes' Homeland found a soviet version as the most accurate one.))))
This list is 100% accurate! Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. :D
What everyone who chooses Cumberbatch as number one is missing here, is that Cumberbatch is not doing the books, and that you are biased toward modernity. Brett is number one because he did it literally by the book and the time period, as well as inhabiting the role better than all others.
I think Brett was amazing, just through the slight preview. Cumberbatch is amazing as well though and I think it should have been tied for first
the problem is there 2 types of potrayals here, one is by the book and two is not. and each of us have different tastes. mine is the one that have me want to watch a sherlock movies, that would be - Rowe, RDJ and Cumberbatch (in order, BC as my most favorite)
when i think of book holmes, my mind does not immediately flash to Benedict Cumberbatch, yet he just happens to be one of my favorite portrayals of the character,
***** exactly. the books are amazing. so are the tv shows and movies, but they should not be compared--ACD himself basically gave permission to do whatever the hell they wanted with Sherlock, and just as long as the essential brilliance of Holmes is portrayed i don't care how close or how far off it is from canon--hell i read fanfiction,that's sometimes better than the show,they may be AU but Sherlock is his usual brilliant aloof/eccentric self and sometimes to me, that's all that matters
So, what's wrong with modernizing the books? It gets plenty more viewers, and it's more relatable. Moffat and Gatiss are geniuses for making Sherlock in this manner. Personally, I love the modern Sherlock, and he's played by an amazing actor. What more could you ask for from a show?
I've only recently started watching the Jeremy Brett stories and I'm so glad I did.
My Aunt suggested to watch Jeremy Brett, and I found the stories becoming alive. Will be his fan till my death, also by watching him I am improving my english.
Benedict Cumberbatch was my favourite version of the character. I loved the idea of the show and how it was in modern day, it's clever, exciting, funny, and all that other good stuff.
You are right!
I agree with you. Benedict is the best Sherlock who I know.
+Abdullah Productions
I agree, bbc sherlock is awesome!
Couldn't have written it better myself!!!
I have to disagre ... Here is why coming from a very smart random man on the Internet:
RDJ's is more eccentric, more fashionable, more unstable and more obviously dependent on Watson.
But BC's is immature, arrogant, insensitive, thoughtless, and rude. He lacks even basic people skills.
RDJ's characteristics make him a more human and more fun character, but his character is still based much more on the books than people realise.
BC's exaggerated characteristics make him less human, more irritating, and deviates much more from the books than people think.
I honestly think it's a huge though widespread misconception of the books to think BC's is closer.
I think people are not comparing them to the Literary character, but to the way Jeremy Brett portrayed him. I have no problem with Brett's Holmes at all - but it's like Chinese whispers, it takes us further away from the truth because Brett's version was just another version, not an authoritative portrayal of the books' Sherlock.
I'm not saying RDJ is the best Holmes ... I'm only saying Cumberbatch is not as close to the books as people claim ... I have the proud to say that i have read every single Novel and note from Sir Conan Doyle, it even surpasses my fanaticism with LotR.
And i also have the wit to say that when i see BC version of Holmes i see ANYTHING but the Holmes we feel on the novels .. Sure he looks like him but he ISN'T like him.
I was absolutely hoping for the top spot to be Jeremy Brett and I was so happy when it was. He's fantastic.
As much as I love Benedict Cumberbatch, I would always put Jeremy Brett first as when I picture Holmes I always imagine him first. Whilst some of you may love Johnny Lee Miller, you have to realize that he is nothing like what Sherlock was, a bad portrayal but an interesting character.
Benedict Cumberbatch wins for having the coolest name.
max ihm That is certainly one big Batch of Cumber...
max ihm
haha true, ok, you've convinced me
The same with RDJ. I enjoy watching them, but they're not Sherlock Holmes. However, this list is not "the most accurate versions of Holmes". They are looking at interesting takes on him.
for me it is always the following order:
1) Basil Rathbone
2) Jeremy Brett
3) Benedict Cumberbatch
4) Barrie Ingham (voice)
5) RDJ
Cannot believe Barrie Ingham didn't even rate an Honourable Mention - his voice acting in Great Mouse Detective is one of the best voice acting performances I've ever seen and as a kid you somehow know what the four- and five-syllable words he uses mean...GMD is one of the best Sherlock Holmes riffs ever put on film; those who haven't seen it don't know what they're missing!
My personal favorite is Cumberbatch, I have never been so fascinated with Holmes (who is one of my favorite fictional characters) as with his take on him. I can understand why he wouldn't be the "definitive" version, since it's a modern take, but damnit there isn't anyone else more fun and brilliant.
i wouldn't say brilliant but Downey's version is pretty damned fun.
Yeah...Jeremy is the best !!!!!!
Livanov is the Best
Jeremy Brett is THE Sherlock Holmes indeed. I watched him as a child and still think Brett was simply outstanding in the role.
I'm delighted Jeremy Brett is first. He deserves it. And, as much as i LOVE Downey's and Cumberbatch's Sherlock, they will never top the perfection that Brett was.
@@cain527 Shut The Fuck Up. Its not about merely age factor. Go see how Sherlock as imagined by Arthur Conan Doyle looked. It was painted by someone for Arthur.
Jeremy Brett looks exactly like what Arthur Conan Doyle had imagined.
@@cain527 Ok I understood, you're funny ! 😂😂😂On one comment you say that it's stupid to like that russian version because that's russian, and on another you say that it's the best.
@@cain527 I am sincerely sorry for whatever harm Jeremy Brett caused on your family.
I'll be happy as long as you put Jeremy Brett on No.1... :)
@@cain527 calm down.
If there was a machine that could make a real life version of a character in a book, that machine would spit out Jeremy Brett after scanning the Sherlock Holmes stories.
The only one and true Sherlock Holmes was played by a Soviet/Russian actor Vasily Livanov.
The soviet version was found as the most accurate in relation to Arthur Conan Doyle's books. The accuracy was not only in the plot of the movie but also in the similarity of appearance between Livanov and Doyle's version of Sherlock.
And the music written for the movie is extraordinary.
It is also important to say that Vasily Livanov was awarded The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by a British ambassador for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes!
Jeremy Brett definitely deserved Number 1. Glad it beat that modern abomination masquerading as a Sherlock Holmes retelling.
I can tell about 1000 things wrong with this comment (except for the fact that Jeremy is a brilliant actor. I agree with that.)
Hey, I don't like the show. Diffrent opinions.
I know, and I respect that. I Just don't enjoy the term "abomination" for the show.
you're allowed to have an opinion, just don't choke people with it in future.
Wow... abomination? That's pretty harsh... I happen to love the 21st century Sherlock. And, while I realize and accept that you can have your own opinion, you don't need to be rude about it.
Jonny Lee Miller deserves a place on the list. He's fantastic in Elementary.
I 100 agree with the number 1 spot. He's such a good actor and while I like Benedict he's not sherlock. Sherlock was smart but he wasn't a giant asshole like he's depicted in Sherlock.
He actually is an asshole
I've seen both series dude, he wasn't.
totally disagree
Lyvanov is the best Holmes ever.
I Soviet Union, yes. Jeremy Brett is the best Holmes of all time, bar none.
No way. It's a tie between Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr.
Вы тут вообще охерели?
In 90's TV-series with Brett were popular in Russia as well. TV-6 channel aired them both all the time
Yup
In 2006 Vasily Livanov was awarded the Order of the British Empire. If this is not an indicator of quality, I do not know what criteria you need ...
wow the first watch mono list where the number 1 is actually correct
*mojo
jeremy brett is the definitive Sherlock Holmes
man johnny lee miller didn't even get a mention
Obviously
I like his portrayal....it's different from other Sherlock's I have seen
Johnny lee miller was 1 for me
Cumberbatch is strait brilliant in his portrayal. For traditions sake i agree with him being in third, but as for acting, Cumberbatch is unmatched.
6?! RDJ deserved to be much higher up. And though Benedict Cumberbatch is a brilliant actor (in the role of Sherlock Holmes particularly), the BBC series has some flaws. If the audience can solve the crime before he can, there's a major problem. Even the global series "Elementary" is more mentally challenging. I would have put him lower on the list.
You do know there talking of the potrayls not the shows right
I suppose Cumberbatch does a good job in that department.
no way RDJ's was good but #6 is completely fine compared to the other 5
It appears we have some controversy hear. :)
rdj was good but i don't think it was that great. he acts the same way in every movie he does.
Totally agree. Jeremy Brett IS Holmes. And thanks for not even mention Jonny Lee Miller and his despicable show.
I was about to throw my keyboard through the screen and then Jeremy Brett came up as number one, thank christ
I have to be honest Downey is my favorite Sherlock,
I read the books, so I do notice the differences between Downeys character and the original, but I believe he improved on the character, he just didn't make him clever, or a genius .. he turned him into an actual oddball. Downeys Sherlock is just darker and more interesting. It's like the way the Dark Knight is said to be the best Batman film, while it made MANY character changes (ex. Joker).
and even if you don't agree with me, you must agree that 6th is just too far down the list
Not really....one could discuss if he is better than Cushing or not, whose portrayal was always to stiff imho, but there are at least two other portrayals not on the list I like better than Downeys.
I am saying for me I prefer his,
so you don't think 6 is too low?
why was Johnny Lee Miller not on the list? i personally think he portrays a great sherlock holmes on elementary.
also expected Benedict cumberbatch to be higher
Vasily Livanov and Benedict Cumberbatch shold be number one!
I disagree in regards to Cumberbatch
I thought Benedict did an amazing job as the modern day Sherlock Holmes, but for me and my dad, Jeremy Brett is the king of all that is Holmes. He played the part perfectly, from his cool and calm to the sudden outbursts of screaming anger that he threw at some characters stupidity. He practically died playing Holmes (and he also played Watson once in a theatre play of a Holmes story so there)
Give it time, and Cumberbatch's Holmes will be the new definitive Holmes.
oh how I do love his voice and style, but Jeremy Brett will always be #1 because its HIM they all try to match.
in my eyes, he already is.
Sorry. As much as "hardcore" Sherlock fans dislike Elementary (it's cause they're close minded people who can't accept the fact that Joan Watson is a woman and that Sherlock is in New York), I like Johnny Lee Miller over Cumberbatch.
I dislike elementary not because of either of those reasons, but because I think it's a Sherlock rip-off. think what you like about me, I don't care.
Liam Baillargeon Explain how it's a rip off
So Tom Baker was the Doctor AND Sherlock? Coincidence? I THINK NOT!
Wholock is now canon
I would be so fucking happy.
After being Sherlock, he just became the Curator.
Benedict Cumberbatch for Docter #15
He was more convincing as Sherlock when the Doctor dressed up as him in The Talons of Weng-Chiang.
To all the Sherlock (2010-) fans, Benedict Cumberbatch is a magnificent Sherlock, but the character was around for more than 100 years and there's a lot of other portrayals of the character so stop saying 'benedict should be n°1" because clearly you haven't seen the old one but let's start talking about how Christopher Lee (R.I.P) is not even mentioned on the list
Fun Fact: Benedict Cumberbatch himself said that he was a big fan of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes as a child and cites Brett as the best Holmes.
why wasn't jonny lee miller even mentioned?
I know. Elementary is such a good show.
A Homicidal Television you answered your own question.
he was really suited for the role and he killed it. his version had really good character development and he portrayed the different sides of the character really well.
cumberbatch's portrayal was the best
He doesn't get enough praise as he deserves that's why. Not a lot of people have seen the BBC series Sherlock and that is sad.
Vincent Nguyen Ummm. Heaps of people have seen Sherlock
I'm sure a lot more people in England have seen Sherlock than in the United States. It feels like not too much people have seen Sherlock in the US. I might be wrong but I don't think Sherlock gets too much attention in the US.
Vincent Nguyen It's pretty popular in the US too, especially among the younger audience (teens to thirty's). And most people have heard of it, even if they haven't seen it.
Vincent Nguyen Also I live in Australia and in my corner of reality I know heaps of people who watch it
Now a top 10 John Watson!!! =D
Jude Law without a doubt! x3
+Martin Naranjo No, James Mason.
what about joane watson from elementary
Lucas No. And I love Lucy Liu. But no. We're not going to talk about that ^^
For my the best watson are 1 : Edward Hardwicke 2: vitaly solomin 3 :martin freeman
Elementary? at least honorable mention
I for one watch Elementary and Sherlock and am in love with both
I prefer Sherlock to Elementary, because I find it annoying that the writers have to put a British character into their country as well as deciding to make Irene Adler and Moriarty one person.
I can argee that it should have made honorable mention but lets stop there maybe
Yeah. Jonny Lee Miller deserves a place.
@@PenDragon-hg1lg it's a completely different script and that's a good decision instead of copying the same characters of BBC Sherlock.
Jeremy Brett is the best, the best, the best Sherlock ever!
Have you seen Cumberbatch?
robimtk96
Yes, he is a close second for me. the speed that he can talk is amazing, but Brett was just so good that nobody can beat him. the fact that Cumberbatch came close to Brett in his portrayal is enough to prove his acting skills.
He even, IMHO, resembled Holmes from ACD mention of the character. And Jeremy Brett could also sing. He was Freddie Einsford Hill in My Fair Lady.
Haha, I knew the top #3 in that exact order before I even pressed play.
Also, Jeremy Brett is freaking awesome! I would switch Cumberbatch and Rathbone but no one can argue that Brett IS Holmes!
Yes...Brett is Holmes!!!
People claiming Cumberbatch as number 1 sherlock holmes first see Jeremy brett and rathborne both as sherlock holmes. They'll then know why he is number 3 here.
Pratik Tambe Rathbone, but I agree.
He should be last, he was terrible. Livanov is the best.
I knew Jeremy Brett would be number 1, he is perfect at playing Sherlock Holmes. Benedict Cumberbatch deserves his spot, he is brilliant.
Allright ladies, I'll give you the answer that should be. Benedict's version was not the best at all, but it was the one I enjoyed the most.
And THAT is how you please everyone. PEACE!
Mansplaining
I was disappointed to see that the Sherlock from elementary was not on here. I thought it was one of the most clever portrayals and a really awesome take on the series
Agreed
My list based on the portrayals that I have seen so far:
1. Jeremy Brett
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
3. Vasily Livanov
4. Robert Stephens
5. Ian McKellen
6. Robert Downey Jr
Livanov №1
You should have put Basil Rathbone in YOUR list.
Thank goodness that Jeremy Brett made it to number one!
Must say I'm glad Robert Downey Jr's "Iron Man Sherlock" wasn't higher than Benedict.
I've read the books. In the first book 'A Study in Scarlet' and it mentions that Sherlock had skills in boxing; though he relies on deduction skills so the fighting wasn't randomly added in the movie with RDJ. Seeing him unravel the mystery is the best thing about Holmes. In the books he deduced Watson was in the military the moment he saw him. Watson actually got annoyed at Holmes' personality when he first met him.
Your acting like we don’t know that
You guys nailed it, especially the top three. Basil Rathbone's performances are legendary, and I absolutely adore Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock, but nobody comes close to Jeremy Brett's portrayal. Brett was the living embodiment of Conan Doyle's clever detective.
Livanov and soviet adaptation is by far number 1 hands down, let’s be honest for once
Every hardcore Sherlock Holmes fan I've ever met agrees with this top 3. What depends is the order. Personally I'd put Benedict Cumberbatch in 2nd with Jeremy Brett in first place and Basil Rathbone in 3rd. Although Benedict and Jeremy are really very close.
Your number 1 is the right choice, but the current series, elementary, deserves an honorable mention, he does a good job with a modern holmes.
elementary is on the best tv shows ever
The writing is amazing ive only started season two but season one and the morearty story took a shit on my mind loved it.
I see your profile picture i love doctor who aswell
*****
because they made watson a woman.
***** Damn the show was made in 2013 not 1877.
I like Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes most
+Theresa Homma You haven't seen Brett's performance :P
+John Smith I don't know. I've watched multiple Brett ones, because even though I'm American, they were still shown here and my mom loves them. As a kid watched them and loved them. Thing is, I don't think you can really say who's best because almost every portrayal is fantastic for some reason. Rathbone did seem to pop out of the book, Brett followed Rathbone in portrayal but came across as a bit more likable and approachable. RDJ I feel is best in portrayal of Holmes' drug addicted self. In the books he is a serious addict, though it doesn't always pop out front and center. RDJ aptly plays that bit of Holmes' makeup as a person, and the somewhat immature but lovable attitude. Cumberbatch is fantastic in portraying the depths of Holmes' ability to deduce people, crimes, etc. in a way few really do. And he does a good job in portraying the addict Holmes as well.
+John Smith Problem though is that people have misconceptions about the stories. Classically they cast Middle aged to old men (the latter especially for Watson). But reading the stories, Holmes and Watson come across more as in their late 20s or 30s - MAYBE 40s. Watson left the army partially because of injury, with nothing really said about age, etc. But the initial screen portrayals convinced people Holmes wears a deerstalker (which he doesn't), Holmes and Watson are somewhat frumpy older men when they were in fact quite active in their investigations, and drugs are reduced to almost a passing thing - though not surprising given the morals and censors in the entertainment industry of the time. All of that are reasons why I feel the newest (except "Elementary" - changed so much stuff that shouldn't have been) portrayals are kind of better, or slightly more accurate.
+spike blake I've come across some who hate Andrew's Moriarty. But his portrayal is my favorite - he doesn't make it boring, and even in the stories Moriarty was a bit unstable sometimes. I screamed when he popped up at the end of season 3 though.
I like Andrew's Moriarty but outside of Conan Doyle my favorite portrayal of the Professor will always be from Kim Newman's pastiche 'Professor Moriarty: The Hound of the D'Ubervilles.' in which we have a professor who is a 'consulting criminal' and has a dark rational for everything that he does and that Moriarty and Col Sebastian 'Basher' Moran have an inverse relationship that twistedly mirrors the Holmes Watson relationship.
I'm old enough to have seen all of these, but by far the best was Jeremy Brett - and I was raised on the Rathbone/ Cushing Holmes. Not only did he capture the books character, I think he did the spirit of Holmes. In this I think he was aided by his own Bipolar personality, for if you look at Holmes's personality in the books, he is basically what is called a "Biplar II " as is described today.
It would have been interesting if they had Brent Spiner as Data portraying Sherlock Holmes on this list.
I kinda agree with the list, though I'm biased because I grew up with Vasily Livanovs' Holmes. I feel in love with his warm portrayal and the general humor of the show. And he's genuinely nice to Watson - which I like. (He's also the best in the Queens eyes.) I really wish more people could understand Russian and see how perfect his portrayal is. Later on, I watched sherlock and some of the others, so I mostly agree, and I think that Cumberbatchs' Holmes got the place he deserves. But for me, Livanovs' Holmes will ALWAYS be the number one.
Benedict Cumberbatch is so believable as Sherlock, you forget he's an actor
+Anna Mercer Benedict is a good actor... But the "Sherlock" show is an insult to Conan Doyle's canon.
Sherlock lived in the Victorian era, and that makes sense. Modern show is more just a fantasy stealing some characters profiles.
+Anna Mercer Exactly!
I don't agree Gary. I love and own all the books and think either Brett or Rathbone are the definitve on screen Holmes's but I really enjoyed Cumberbatch's take on it. His version of Hound of the Baskervilles is the sort of thing Conan Doyle would have written were he alive today. Moriarty is brilliant and the modern setting is perfect for a new generation to see and be introduced to the master detective.
It's not an insult to Conan Doyle or his canon, it's a respectful re-telling and modernisation of the great man's work. I think the BBC nailed it and I know it got both my sons to read the original books. Think of it as a tribute to Conan Doyle rather than a slavish attempt to follow his every word. I bet that if he were around today he'd write it just as Cumberbatch plays it.
MrPeterpiper1969 Well that's debatable. I can accept that some people like the modern "retake"... But...
...But Sherlock Holmes is about deduction AND new usage of scientific forensic... At the time of the original story that made sense, and a "lone detective" doing his own chemistry when Scotland Yard was "in late" was plausible... Nowadays it'd be pure fantasy, unbelievable... Also forensics are now a common stuff, and over-used in modern police shows. We got "only" deduction left (which is a huge part of SH, I don't underestimate that point), and even that, it's now common usage in police work.
Sherlock Holmes was in a time of "technological/scientific progress", a little bit like Jules Verne work, we are not in the same time, we still got "new techs" but it's not so impressive for people than it was at the time...
Also, and that is a matter of personal taste, as I like the "steam punk", and Jules Verne, I like the victorian setup (I'm not talking about politic here, I'm talking about "ambiance", "fashion" and things like that).
Finally, this is also personal, but I'm a purist, when an author create a character, I usually don't tolerate well another author "surfing the wave" of this character fame. And this is partly because I lose the original author style and way of thinking, and those are important part in my "hook" for this author and its characters and stories.
Garry Iglesias
I totally understand your points and even share them to some degree but let's face it there's no way anyone is going to make a better version of the original works than the Jeremy Brett and Basil Rathbone portrayals in particular.
If Sherlock was to be relevant to a new younger audience, particularly in this age of shows like CSI then it needed to have a new take on it. I especially like how he still deduces much from observation alone, eg the aftershave on the officer and his female colleague in the very first episode. (I still crack up laughing over the comment about the female officer's knees) and other things such as the left handed man who was shot from the right in an apparent suicide.
One other thing I like, Watson is far more competent and important to the stories than the Nigel Bruce version (my only beef with the Rathbone films) and is much closer in personality to Conan Doyle's work. I enjoyed the fact he writes the cases up as a blog rather than articles in the Strand as well, that was well thought of by the scriptwriters.
In all seriousness it's NOT my favourite Holmes, that for me will always be Basil Ratthbone very closely followed by Jeremy Brett but as a re-take and modernisation it's pretty good largely thanks to Cumberbatches talent as an actor and the good chemistry Holmes and Watson share.
I love Benedict Cumberbatch and Basil Rathbone's portrayals the best myself, but I can't deny that Jeremy Brett depicted an amazing Sherlock Holmes. I like each and everyone of these three men's renditions of the character!
I love how they tried to keep suspense for who was #1, but everyone knows who it is anyway.
Did you guys not consider Jonny Lee Miller from the tv series Elementary? I personally think he does an amazing job in the portrayal.
1. Jeremy Brett
2. Basil Rathbone
3. Benedict Cumberbatch
4. Robert Downey Jr.
I'm a Sherlockian, a real one, who've read the books and trust me, that should be the good podium. As a huge fan of RDJ and Cumberbatch, I am aware and objective toward Brett and Rathbone who gave their lives to the character.
Cecile Tite I agree with you!
Cecile Tite To be honest i hate RDJ as Sherlock i had to change the movie i couldn't stand to watch it
+Cecile Tite completely agree.
+Cécile Vergnaud I am sorry, but I doubt you're the true Sherlockian because the most accurate version of Sherlock was portrayed by a soviet actor Vasily Livanov.
+Madina Tash Feel free to think whatever you want. I expressed my opinion, and I'm sorry to do not know everything about Sherlock Holmes, I didn't pretend it! But telling me I'm not a true Sherlockian, that's rude and you know what? I don't even care what you think of me.
Vasily Livanov at 4
Are you kidding me
He got an order from the queen of England for most accurate portrayal of Holmes
Outside Britain tho
@@cain527 Чувствуется сальный запах цеевропы. =) Жги дальше, олух.
I would have at least mentioned Johnny Lee Miller... I know it's a bit of an off-beat version, but he does the character justice I think.
Cumberbatch should be number one. It's the most innovative, entertaining and iconical adaptation of Sherlock Holmes. It's also the one that prooved that Sherlock Holmes could be portrayed in the nowdays.
jeremy brett is the best he the character down to a tee
Christian browne Well, I still think that Cumberbatch is the best, but that's just my opinion.
Ricvictors Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes
No, he shouldn't. Sherlock Holmes is a refined, taciturn, intelligent, modest gentleman. Cumberbatch is an arrogant, stupid dick. An interesting character, but certainly not Sherlock Holmes.
***** OK, if not a perfect gentleman, he is at least courteous, but not a prick like Cumberbatch.
Jonny Lee Miller"s portrayal of sherlock holmes from elementary should have at least made the list if not been up toward the top of it.
I disagree. Despite Nicholas Rowe not being good enough for number 10 I think someone like Douglas Wilmer, though much higher up.
Benedict Cumberbatch should be number One . The fuck was that
Mhd Akmall Have you even seen any of the Jeremy Brett stuff? Trust me, once you have, you'll understand why HE is the definitive Sherlock Holmes.
locutus94 agreed
Cumberbatch was the one who made me read the novels so I would have liked to see him in first but ill trust your judgement on this since I haven't watched the older ones.
I don't mean to impose, but could you guys at least have given Barrie Ingram's voice performance of Basil of Baker Street in Disney's "THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE" a mention??
I get the love for Cumberbatch on this page but Jeremy Brett was Sherlock Holmes.Also although Elementary may have committed blasphemy by turning Watson and Moriarty into female characters,it does not take away the fact that Johnny Lee Miller's portrayal of Holmes is exemplary.RDJ is simply a brilliant actor and does need to be defined by Sherlock Holmes.
Look at all these fangirls tdying to tell mojo how benedict crumplesnacth is the best sherlock
"benedict crumplesnacth" 😂😂😂
BOSS Lmfao =))
you mean benedict campercatch
If you enjoyed this, watch
Sherlock Holmes: Fiction's Greatest Detective
Top 10 Robert Downey, Jr. Moments
No!
Yes!
lol
WatchMojo.com Guys. you mixed movies for kids and adult ppl. Weird top 10, srsly
Jonny Lee Miller in Elementary should of at least got an honourable mention, I liked the list on a whole, but thought Downny should of been a couple of spots up the list.
*Should have or should've.
And you missed the fact that I spelt "Downey" wrong as well.
lol. Yes, I did. :)
I completely agree with everything you said, except with correct grammar. Elementary is really good and Miller definitely deserved to be either an honorable mention, 10, or 9. Also, I feel like Downey deserves to be 4, not 6.
Wolfgang Kenshin Thank you! Should 'of' makes me want to pull out my hair everytime I read it.
1. Jeremy Brett
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
Respectively.
Yes
1 Livanov
1.Basil Rathbone
@@TJ_thesilly 👍👍👍
This is the first top 10 watchmojo list that I agree. Jeremy Brett is my favorite version of Sherlock Holmes. His interpretation is closest to the books. I feel empathy for his character. Benedict Cumberbatch is a talented actor, and watching him is compelling, but he is written as a rude, arrogant jerk. I had fun with Robert Downey Jr in the first movie, but he is more like an action superhero than what I consider a Sherlock Holmes. Good job with this list!
Some of you are excited about Cumberbatch, and rightly so. He's good. But surely, it also has something to do with the fact that he's in a current series. The truth is that his Sherlock would not exist if it were not for Brett's portrayal. If it's now possible for an actor to show us Holmes as anything but a riff on the iconic performance of Basil Rathbone, it's because Jeremy Brett broke out with a depiction so eccentric, so striking, and so memorable that Rathbone's is now all but eclipsed. He made Holmes into a fallible, passionate, and downright _weird_ human being again, in a way that has withstood the passage of decades remarkably well.
The jury is still out on Cumberbatch. Will anyone particularly remember it 20, 30 years from now? Maybe. We'll see. But we don't have to guess about Brett.
Ironically, Brett at the same time showed us Holmes much more as Doyle wrote him than any actor had done before. Only after returning to the source could depictions of Holmes move forward.
5:32 -- Anyone who read the stories knows that Holmes' cocaine use was not a major theme. It was mentioned perhaps twice -- or three times, if you count when Watson prevails on Holmes to give up the habit. He "relied" on it for stimulation when he had no work. Anytime Holmes is shown using it while a case was in progress, it's not true to the character.
agreed :) i love the Cumberbatch series but Brett embodies the Holmes of the books :)
If your a fan of Holmes you haft to like this guys comment
Thank you so much for expressing your opinion without ragging on Cumberbatch here! I understand that people have different opinions, but everyone else is expressing them in a more derogatory manner to other people's opinions than is necessary. Everyone should use this comment as a guideline!
Opal Koboi Thank you! There's no reason at all to rag on Cumberbatch. Surely it's possible to favor one actor without hating another! Which is "better"? So often, that's such a matter of individual taste and contemporary fashion that it's pointless to argue about it.
Personally, I think Cumberbatch *will* be remembered for his Holmes, and very favorably. A preferences for Brett or Cumberbatch will boil down to a preference for a historical or a modern setting. Their ranking i a list like this made 20 or 30 years from now may well have their positions swapped.
Incidentally, it's a sad commentary on how little we learn over the decades. In Doyle's stories, Dr. Watson was a military surgeon who was wounded in action in Afghanistan. In the present series, Dr. Watson is... a military surgeon who was wounded in action in Afghanistan. Same damn thing all over again.
Cumberbatch will always be my favourite Sherlock
One correction, Jeremy brett was not the best portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, he was THE Sherlock Homes. Rest are all actors
Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch should have both been ranked higher for bringing Holmes back to public eye.
Cumberbatch yes , Downey Jr. No
MultiDean98 Why?
Austin Boylan Downey Jr sucked as Sherlock Holmes
i agree I loved downey but in my eyes and my OPINION I would have put cumberpatch at no 1
Cumberbatch takes the cake in my books. Probably because I don't like traditional Sherlock I bet.