The Copper Beeches (25 Aug. 1985)

Mr. Rucastle's odd requirements for governess Violet Hunter, such as cutting her hair and wearing certain dresses, alarm her so she seeks Holmes' advice.

Director:

Paul Annett

Writers:

John Hawkesworth (developed for television by), Bill Craig (dramatised by),

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, David Burke, Joss Ackland

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
David Burke	...	Dr Watson
Joss Ackland	...	Jephro Rucastle
Natasha Richardson	...	Violet Hunter
Lottie Ward	...	Mrs Rucastle
Patience Collier	...	Miss Stoper
Angela Browne	...	Mrs Toller
Peter Jonfield	...	Toller
Michael Loney	...	Fowler
Rachel Ambler	...	Alice
Stuart Shimberg	...	Edward

Storyline

Sherlock Holmes is approached by a pretty young woman with a bizarre tale. Violet Hunter is a governess by profession and she has recently been offered a position by Jephro Rucastle to act in that capacity at his country home, the Copper Beeches. Apart from offering an enormous salary, Mr. Rucastle also has a number of odd requests. It would be necessary for Violet to cut her hair short and from time to time she would have to sit with them in the parlor wearing a particular electric blue dress. Homes doesn't have much to offer by way of advice but after taking up her appointment, Violet urgently requests his assistance when she discovers that someone may be locked away in a far corner of the house.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Fr]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1985 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The lecture about Watson's "creative liberties" with writing up cases is from "The Sign of Four."

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr Watson: Something wrong?
Sherlock Holmes: To the man who loves art for its own sake, it is frequently in its least important and lowliest manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived.

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Crazy Credits

Paget illustrations from the story are seen during credits.

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Connections

Version of The Copper Beeches (1921)

User Reviews

A good episode elevated by the acting

I have made no secret in loving this series, and The Copper Beeches is no exception. The episode is not as zestily paced and other entries in the series, and the story is not the most colourful and compelling. However, I did enjoy the spooky atmosphere that The Copper Beeches had, while the production values are stunning and as evocative as ever and the music haunting and beautiful at the same time. The script is playful and thoughtfully written. But it was the acting that really stood out. Jeremy Brett is superb as Holmes and David Burke contrasts him very well(though I have a slight soft spot more for Edward Hardwicke). The late Natasha Richardson is beguiling, but acting honours in my view belong to the creepy and truly unforgettable performance of Joss Ackland. Overall, the episode is good with enough suspenseful and unsettling moments to savour as well as great production and musical values but it was the acting that really made the episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox