Sherlock Holmes (4-DVD SET) DVD – Peter Wyngarde, Patrick Troughton 

First series of the classic BBC TV series starring Douglas Wilmer as the famous sleuth and Nigel Stock as his loyal partner Watson. In this instalment, the pair from Baker Street must investigate the disappearance of a young aristocrat, stop a woman from marrying a murderous Austrian baron and solve the murder of Arthur Cadogan West with the help of Holmes’ brother Mycroft (Derek Francis). The episodes are: ‘The Speckled Band’, ‘The Illustrious Client’, ‘The Devil’s Foot’, ‘The Copper Beeches’, ‘The Red-Headed League’, ‘The Abbey Grange’, ‘The Six Napoleons’, ‘The Man With the Twisted Lip’, ‘The Beryl Coronet’, ‘The Bruce-Partington Plans’, ‘Charles Augustus Milverton’, ‘The Retired Colourman’ and ‘The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax’.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes: The classic BBC TV series. Regarded by many to be the best incarnation of the Baker Street sleuth Douglas Wilmer gives a career-defining performance in this celebrated BBC series. Intelligent quick on his heels and bearing a striking resemblance to the original Sidney Paget illustrations Wilmer’s portrayal is possibly the closest to Conan Doyle’s original vision that there has ever been. In 2012 his status as legend within the Sherlock pantheon was cemented when he was asked to make a cameo appearance in Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch. The first story in this series The Speckled Band was originally produced as part of the BBC drama strand Detectives. Appearing alongside Wilmer as Holmes’ loyal companion Dr John Watson was the great Nigel Stock. Such was the success of the adaptation that Wilmer and Stock were reunited a year later for a full 12-part series. With a supporting cast that included Clochemerle star Peter Madden as Inspector Lestrade TV veteran Derek Francis as Mycroft Holmes and guest stars such as Peter Wyngarde (Department S The Innocents) and Patrick Troughton (Doctor Who) the popularity of the series gave rise to a second series in which the role of Sherlock was played by Peter Cushing. Presented for the first time on UK DVD this long-awaited release also includes an array of fascinating special features including two reconstructions of partially-surviving episodes an alternative presentation of the Detectives pilot an alternative title sequence an interview with Douglas Wilmer and a number of newly-recorded audio commentaries. Bonus Features: Original 1964 Detectives pilot episode The Speckled Band All surviving episodes from the 1965 series Alternative Spanish audio presentation of The Speckled Band Alternative title sequence for The Illustrious Client The Abbey Grange episode reconstruction featuring a newly-filmed sequence of Douglas Wilmer reading the first half of the story followed by all surviving original footage The Bruce-Partington Plans episode reconstruction using all surviving original footage and original shooting scripts Douglas Wilmer … on Television (2012 Simon Harries 20 mins): the iconic actor discusses his career in British film and television Five audio commentaries including contributions from Douglas Wilmer and celebrated directors Peter Cregeen and Peter Sasdy all moderated by actor-comedian Toby Hadoke Fully illustrated booklet with new essays and full episode credits