The Priory School

Sherlock Holmes is hired by Dr. Huxtable, the headmaster of prestigious preparatory school Priory School. One of their students, the son of the Duke of Holdernesse, has disappeared but no ransom has been demanded. Also missing is Mr. Heidegger, the German master.

Great episode in the Sherlock Holmes series. Has the usual intrigue, delightfully Victorian settings and the wonderfully quirky and engaging performance by Jeremy Brett as Holmes.

Not among the best though. The plot feels a bit clumsy at times and from a point the perpetrators are reasonably obvious. Not a major problem but the episode doesn't quite have the tightness and gloss that most episodes have.

This is a better than average episode which has good production values and which makes excellent use of the Westminster Abbey Choristers playing the part of pupils at the The Priory School. As ever Patrick Gowers is in overall charge of the music but credit is also given to Simon Preston as choirmaster . But the burning question is: "What is the choral music that plays over the opening credits" It's hauntingly beautiful but I can't quite pin it down.

Stunningly skillful use of Chatsworth House and it's environs in the Derbyshire Dales (far more mean and moody than her more famous Yorkshire rivals in my opinion) help to shape the slow unraveling thread of this tale which is timed to perfection if you will. The weakest spots were the characterisations by the cast. In Doyle's short story, the Duke was a hot headed foul tempered man who saw himself as untouchable and beyond reproach - as the aristocracy very much were in the mid 19th century, however comes over as far too reasonable. Dr Huxtable comes over as more like the Duke's character in the story instead of Doyle's more subservient Huxtable.

For someone currently baking in the elongated Thai hot season which seems to never want to end this year, the views of a cool and damp Derbyshire set an Englishman in exile's heart aflame.

For as long as I can remember, I have been a big fan of Sherlock Holmes. The Priory School is a good, solid entry in the series. I do agree though the adaptation could have elaborated more on the glass case in the foyer clue, and there are moments when the pace feels sluggish. However, when it comes to the production values and music, The Priory School can't be faulted. The photography, sets, scenery and costumes are authentic and add to the atmosphere and once again the music is both beautiful and haunting. The story is one of the most interesting of the series and is told very well, the script is sophisticated and thoughtful-plus the episode has some of the funniest ever Sherlock Holmes moments involving Watson and food and a quite intense climatic scene- and John Madden's direction is appropriately skilled while not feeling too overdone or low-key. The acting is great as usual, Jeremy Brett is straightforward yet commanding and Edward Hardwicke is loyal and composed, while the support cast are all solid without standing out especially particularly. Overall, it is a good entry. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Holmes is brought in because of his ability to keep his cases from the public eye. Watson's portrayals occur well after the fact. In this one, a school boy at a private institution and his German teacher have disappeared. The trail proves one, requiring great patience and personal strength. The suspected perpetrator suddenly becomes a victim and the case gets rather ragged. At the center is the aristocratic father, whose world has become complicated. When one of Holmes' clients is as taciturn as this man, we know that the road will ultimately lead back to him in some way. The real joy of the episode is the use of several red herrings that need to be dismissed. The Victorian view of children born out of wedlock is certainly disturbing. It's interesting how such a "refined" culture needs to maintain its status through subterfuge and dishonesty. We still have some of this going on today. The unique thing about Holmes is that it is nearly always about the "case." While this episode plods on at times, it also teases us, and leads us astray. The clues are all there if you view it with knowledge of the conclusion. Good writing; good mystery.