The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes: Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle

Starring: Richardson, Ian and Laing, Robin

Outside of the refined halls of Edinburgh University, a young Arthur Conan Doyle is learning his first lessons... in murder. In 1878, when Mr. Doyle (Robin Laing) meets the brilliant Dr. Bell (Ian Richardson), he is drawn away from his medical studies into a new world of crime investigation. As the pair assist local police in solving their most gruesome cases, Doyle becomes fascinated with Bell's uncanny talent for outthinking seasoned detectives and outwitting the most clever criminals. However, one particularly vicious cat-and-mouse game has a different outcome. Doyle finds his life completely changed and even Dr. Bell's agile mind cannot predict how this story will end!

• Format: DVD
• Language: English
• UPC: 066805310683
• Release Date: March 2002
• Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
• Publisher: BFS Entertainment & Multimedia
• Director: Seed, Paul
• Starring: Richardson, Ian, Laing, Robin
• Runtime: 1 hour, 57 minutes
• Number of Disks: 1
• Other Video Info: Multiple Formats; Color; NTSC
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle

Also, Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2003). Also, The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes. (2011) A TV movie airs in the year (2003). Then gets a DVD release or international re‑release years later (2011). If you are looking at the original cover, I must tell you that the female image on the front is not Mr. Doyle. This is not a "Glen or Glenda" (1953) movie. Unless you are extraordinarily perceptive or well-read, you need to read the rest of the title, "Dr. Bell and Mr. Doyle - The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes". The story almost plays out as an unsaturated biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with a few embellishments. I will not go through the details, as they are fun to watch as the story unfolds. We get to see how the different characters meet as a mystery unfolds. Moreover, of course, there are plenty of suspects before it is always the last person you suspect. The story takes place in 1878 when medical student Mr. Doyle (Robin Laing) meets brilliant but quirky teacher Dr. Bell. Dr. Bell (Ian Richardson) has a side project and recruits Mr. Doyle as his clerk. This is the main thread of the story as the mystery unfolds; other threads and suspicious characters turn up. This mystery takes a backseat or parallels the fact that at this time and date, Women are allowed but not approved as medical students. One struggling student from South Africa, Elspeth Scott (Dolly Wells), strikes Mr. Doyle's fancy and becomes a woman in distress. This film is packed with fine, lesser-known actors. In fact, Dolly Wells led me to this film as I was looking at information on Midsomer Murders: Death in Disguise (1999 TV episode) when it mentioned this movie. At first, I thought it was a bit bloody and gory. However, there is nothing to outbalance the telling of the story. The only drawback is the heavy-handed background music that tries to lead your mood, as if you cannot think for yourself. The film would have been better off without it. Be sure to read the cast profiles on the DVD, as it contributes to the experience. See a different version of sorts, “Murder Rooms: Mysteries of the Real Sherlock Holmes” (TV Mini Series 2000–2001), Ian Richardson (1934-2007) as Dr. Joseph Bell