The Red Circle (28 Mar. 1994)

A nervous landlady brings a mysterious boarder to Holmes' attention, leading to a secret society and the efforts of a young couple to escape their past.

Director:

Sarah Hellings

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (by), Jeremy Paul (screenplay),

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Rosalie Williams

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
Edward Hardwicke	...	Doctor Watson
Rosalie Williams	...	Mrs Hudson
Betty Marsden	...	Mrs Warren
Kenneth Connor	...	Mr Warren
John Hallam	...	Gorgiano
James Coombes	...	Gennaro Lucca
Sophia Diaz	...	Emilia Lucca
Tom Chadbon	...	Inspector Hawkins
Kerry Shale	...	Leverton
Joseph Long	...	Firmani
Louise Heaney	...	Vera

Storyline

Sherlock Holmes is approached by Mrs. Hudson to assist a friend of hers. The lady also lets furnished rooms and is now worried about what one of her boarders may be up to. The man had come to her 10 days before and paid her an exorbitant amount to ensure complete privacy during his stay. His meals are left outside his door and no one enters the room. Now the landlady can't sleep at night wondering what the person is up to. Based on the available information, it's apparent to Holmes that the lodger is an Italian gentleman who had recently arrived from New York City. Knowing of recent crimes there, Holmes soon knows the man's identity and that he is running away from the head of a sinister group known as the Red Circle.

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Plot Keywords:

foreign agent | mafia | fugitive | dr watson | color in title | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 1994 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Buxton Opera House, Buxton, Derbyshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

Gorgiano's name is pronounced throughout the episode with a soft G, as though it were "Giorgiano." "Gorgiano" should begin with a hard G.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gennaro Lucca: Emilia!

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Connections

Version of The Red Circle (1922)

User Reviews

Very well done and atmospheric

I have made no secret of loving the Jeremy Brett adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, and The Red Circle is no exception. The beginning is perhaps a little stodgy, but it does pick up the pace quite quickly, so that is a minor discrepancy. As always the production values are terrific and the music is brilliant, particularly in the chilling sequence when the young lady is climbing the stairs towards the end. The script is sophisticated and arch, and the story is very intriguing and rarely loses momentum. The direction is great, and the acting is as always wonderful. Jeremy Brett looks tired but gives Holmes his all and does brilliantly and Edward Hardwicke is a dignified Watson. The supporting performances are fine too, the role of Gorgiano is quite brief but John Hallam brings some appropriate menace to the character, even hearing about the character makes us unnerved. I also found very haunting and chilling the scene with the villain talking through the door, with the music getting louder and everything it got rather tense admittedly. Overall, it is very well done and atmospheric. 9/10 Bethany Cox