The Abbey Grange (16 Jul. 1986)

Holmes is called to a manor house to investigate the brutal murder of a country lord with a fireplace poker and reconcile the story of his bruised and battered wife with the facts.

Director:

Peter Hammond

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (by), John Hawkesworth (developed for television by),

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Paul Williamson

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
Edward Hardwicke	...	Dr Watson
Paul Williamson	...	Inspector Hopkins
Conrad Phillips	...	Sir Eustace Brackenstall
Anne-Louise Lambert	...	Lady Mary Brackenstall (as Anne Louise Lambert)
Zulema Dene	...	Theresa Wright
Oliver Tobias	...	Captain Croker
Nicolas Chagrin	...	Mr Viviani

Storyline

Inspector Hopkins invites Holmes to assist him in solving the brutal murder of Lord Brackenstall with a fireplace poker at his country estate. According to his bruised and battered wife, her husband was a secret alcoholic who kept his drinking discreetly hidden. On the night in question, she alleges that her house was invaded by a locally notorious thief and his two larcenous sons, who bound her, stole the family silver, bludgeoned her husband to death, and calmly helped themselves to some port wine. Lady Brackenstall denies that the obvious bruising on her face and hands are connected to the murder. When something about the three wine glasses used by the perpetrators bothers Holmes, his mind begins to move in a new direction.

---

Plot Keywords:

murder | fireplace poker | wine | port wine | manor house | 

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1986 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Adlington Hall, Adlington, Cheshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although this was the first episode of the Granada series to be filmed with Edward Hardwicke as Watson, it was not aired until after "The Empty House" began Granada's "The Return of Sherlock Holmes" series.

---

Goofs

After about 25 minutes, when Holmes climbs up the mantelpiece to investigate the cord with which one could ring for a servant, one can see clearly a low voltage cable running on top of the mantelpiece. This cable has a modern day synthetic insulation, and is attached with plastic clips.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Inspector Hopkins: Far now?

---

Connections

Version of The Abbey Grange (1922)

User Reviews

The Chemistry Is Already Working

The Abbey Grange was the first episode shot with Edward Hardwicke as Dr. Watson, but you can already notice the chemistry between Holmes and his new companion.I really liked David Burke, but Edward is just as great as he has been.

What I like in this story the most is the deep sympathy Holmes feels towards Lady Brackenstall, who is tortured by her husband. In the Canon Holmes is portrayed as someone who has no emotions at all and who does not care about women.In this episode he tries to help a lady, we see emotions, sympathy, worry and strong sense of justice.Jeremy is so irresistibly young and handsome, he shows more of his true personality.He is calm, understanding and caring, a real gentleman.

The ending scene is perfectly arranged: just watch how Holmes responds to a quite natural thing - Lady Brackenstall tries to hug him. There we see another Sherlock: a solitary, introverted creature, who does not like to be close to someone, who is impatient. This is the miracle of him, he is so multi-layered and complex, he can always surprise us with a move or a sentence.