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Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes

The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1

  • Episode aired May 18, 2000
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
744
YOUR RATING
S1.E1
  • S1
  • E1
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The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Arthur Conan Doyle reveals the story behind Sherlock Holmes and his mysteries by telling about Dr. Joseph Bell.Arthur Conan Doyle reveals the story behind Sherlock Holmes and his mysteries by telling about Dr. Joseph Bell.Arthur Conan Doyle reveals the story behind Sherlock Holmes and his mysteries by telling about Dr. Joseph Bell.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
744
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Paul Seed
  • Writer
    • David Pirie
  • Stars
    • Ian Richardson
    • Sean Wightman
    • Robin Laing
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul Seed
  • Writer
    • David Pirie
  • Stars
    • Ian Richardson
    • Sean Wightman
    • Robin Laing
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 9User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos12

    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    Charles Dance and Ian Richardson in The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)
    Robin Laing in The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Part 1 (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ian Richardson
    Ian Richardson
    • Dr. Joseph Bellas Dr. Joseph Bell
    Sean Wightman
    • Mortuary Clerkas Mortuary Clerk
    Robin Laing
    Robin Laing
    • Arthur Conan Doyleas Arthur Conan Doyle
    Dolly Wells
    Dolly Wells
    • Elspeth Scottas Elspeth Scott
    Charles Dance
    Charles Dance
    • Sir Henry Carlyleas Sir Henry Carlyle
    Ralph Riach
    Ralph Riach
    • The Strand Editoras The Strand Editor
    Aly Bain
    • The Fiddleras The Fiddler
    Andrew John Tait
    • Eustace Starkas Eustace Stark
    Alan Sinclair
    • Medical Lectureras Medical Lecturer
    Alec Newman
    Alec Newman
    • Thomas Neillas Thomas Neill
    Tamsin Pike
    • Sophiaas Sophia
    Joel Strachan
    • Crawfordas Crawford
    David Walker
    • Baxteras Baxter
    • (as David MacDowell)
    Sarah Collier
    • Mary Doyleas Mary Doyle
    John Bett
    • Charles Doyleas Charles Doyle
    Bernard Horsfall
    Bernard Horsfall
    • Crawford Senioras Crawford Senior
    Matthew Macfadyen
    Matthew Macfadyen
    • Walleras Waller
    Eric Barlow
    • PC Murdochas PC Murdoch
    • Director
      • Paul Seed
    • Writer
      • David Pirie
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    In the tumult that follows his killing off his fictional character Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle reflects on the man who influenced and provided the prototype for the great detective, Dr. Joseph Bell. A professor at the University of Edinburgh medical school where Doyle is a student, Bell is unconventional in his quest for knowledge and uses his skills of perception and observation to interpret events. He also believes that crimes can be solved in the same way as disease can be diagnosed if the same techniques are used. Having solved the murder of a young woman, Bell grants Doyle greater access to his research. This is also a time when women are being admitted to the Medical School for the first time and Doyle has become attracted to a fellow student, Elspeth Scott. Not all of the students and staff are as accepting as Doyle and someone is trying to frighten her and perhaps even do her harm. When Elpseth's sister Lady Sarah Carlisle takes ill, Doyle comes to believe that her husband Sir Henry Carlisle, a Member of Parliament, may in fact be behind some of the killings. The solution lies elsewhere however. —garykmcd
    • medical school
    • university of edinburgh
    • murder
    • dead sheep
    • murder investigation
    • 16 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • He taught him the finer points...of murder!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In Doyle's first conversation with Elspeth, she tells him that she's from South Africa. In real life, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first published work of fiction, "The Mystery of Sasassa Valley", was set in South Africa. Citation: Owen Dudley Edwards, "Doyle, Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan (1859-1930)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004.
    • Goofs
      When Sir Henry is confronted about the pills that he gave to Lady Sarah, he takes the box of pills from her. In the next moment, from a different camera angle, Dr. Bell takes the box from Inspector Beecher.
    • Quotes

      Arthur Conan Doyle: I only wish I'd never met you. He kills her and then escapes and you can do nothing? Your method sir, is a pitiful lie!

      Dr. Joseph Bell: No, this is the lie! There is no possible reason for it, no gain, no profit - not even wicked pleasure. And if this is the future Doyle, I reject it - utterly and with contempt!

    • Alternate versions
      "Les sombres origines de Sherlock Holmes" - French dubbed version
    • Connections
      Followed by Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes: The Patient's Eyes (2001)

    User reviews9

    Review
    Top review
    Outstanding.
    Excellent production. Sir Ian Richardson does his usual exceptional performance. Dolly Wells, a truly beautiful woman, steals the show! She should become a superstar. We'd like to see more of her on this side of the Pond.
    helpful•6
    4
    • joe.cocimano
    • Jul 17, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 18, 2000 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Official site
      • murder-rooms.com (United Kingdom)
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • The Television Production Company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
      • WGBH
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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