The Six Napoleons 

Inspector Lastrade reveals to Holmes that someone has been inexplicably breaking into homes for the senseless purpose of breaking small busts of Napoleon.

Director:

David Carson

Writers:

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

Stars:

Jeremy Brett, Edward Hardwicke, Eric Sykes

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Jeremy Brett	...	Sherlock Holmes
Edward Hardwicke	...	Dr. Watson
Eric Sykes	...	Horace Harker
Colin Jeavons	...	Inspector Lestrade
Gerald Campion	...	Morse Hudson
Vincenzo Nicoli	...	Pietro
Steve Plytas	...	Venucci Snr.
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Mendelstam
Marina Sirtis	...	Lucrezia
Emil Wolk	...	Beppo
Nadio Fortune	...	Beppo's Cousin
Michael Logan	...	Josiah Brown
Jeffrey Gardiner	...	Mr. Sandeford

Storyline

Inspector Lastrade drops by Baker Street to socialize and presents Holmes with his current problem. He is baffled by a series of apparently senseless burglaries in which the only thing stolen is a small bust of Napoleon, which is later broken into pieces by the thief. Unlike Lastrade, Holmes sees a sinister purpose behind these irrational break-ins and has that confirmed when a Italian immigrant with Mafia connections is found with his throat slashed at the scene of the latest robbery.

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Plot Keywords:

mafia | italian immigrant | throat slitting | stabbing | revenge | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 August 1986 (UK)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

52 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Venucci is crying over his son's body, there are coins on the dead man's eyes. The tradition of placing pennies on the eyes of the corpse - to pay Charon the ferryman to carry the person's soul across the River Styx - dates back to Ancient Rome and Greece.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Venucci Snr: È finita, Lucrezia.

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Connections

Version of The Six Napoleons (1922)

User Reviews

Maybe the best from the Return episodes

The Six Napoleons is one of my favorite from the Return cases, the others are The Empty House and Devil's Foot. I like this episode especially because of its lighter and funnier atmosphere.Holmes, Watson and Lestrade make such a cool trio!I love their conversation besides the fire, it makes me laugh every time I see it.All three actors are awesome in it, and it shines through that they enjoy each other's company so much. I think Colin Jeavons was an excellent choice for the role of Inspector Lestrade, he does such a wonderful job!My opinion is that he gives his best in this episode and in The Norwood Builder.Jeremy Brett told in an interview he loved to work with Colin Jeavons and they liked each other. Another thing I like in this episode is the tablecloth trick of Holmes.It is not easy at all!

The Six Napoleons is highly recommended to cheer up one's day and have a good laugh in addition to the exciting investigation.