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By
BILL CONIFF
I bought this DVD primarily
because of Ian Richardson, who was so excellent in
the "House
of Cards" trilogy. Although this subsequent
effort doesn't provide Richardson with as
delightfully colorful a role, it's quite
interesting in its own right.
The film -- which is directed by Paul Seed, who
helmed the first two "House of Card" installments
-- takes the facts of Arthur Conan Doyle's early
life and adds a bit of conjecture to forge a
convincing mystery. It's very well done, and the
viewer is expertly manipulated into jumping to
wrong conclusions in order to stay surprised at
the end.
What gives the film added depth is the sense of
period it gives, as well as the historical
perspective on forensic investigation. And Doyle
fans will enjoy seeing the parallels between Dr.
Bell and Sherlock Holmes.
Among the DVD's unexceptional special features are
a DVD-ROM version of Conan Doyle's "The Adventures
of Sherlock Holmes" and a Conan Doyle biography.
Anyone with an interest in any of the above will
find this DVD worth getting. |
