The Christian Character of Sherlock Holmes
I do not delve too deeply into my undying interest in classic films on this blog. I find them to be most tasteful, thought-provoking, and pleasant movies in general — movies that proceeded the invention of color, and those just after color came to screen. Alas, today’s readers, and web community at large, hardly understand or appreciate classics of any nature. People of any generation, it seems, are consumed with what’s modern for them. Back in the day, Shakespeare plays were modern and exciting to audiences that had the pleasure of being the first to watch a Shakespearian play. Today, we consider such classics as ancient even before we’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing them, watching them, or seeing them for the first time.
And what’s with the stigma against black and white movies anyway? People, grow up.
The classic characters as played by Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce
I’ve started watching through the classic Sherlock Holmes films starring Basil Rathbone (as Holmes) and Nigel Bruce (as Watson). I feel ashamed to say I’ve not read the original Sherlock Holmes books, as of yet, but know much about them. These films of Holmes adventures, according to my wife who has read the novels, are fairly accurate to the books. Consistency aside with the written versions, I think these films stand well on their own two feet.
Rather than blather on about generalities in these movies, I want to address the persona of Holmes and his good friend, Dr. Watson. It’s been 122 years since Sherlock made his first published appearance in 1887. The movies of Basil Rathbone were made in the 1930s and 1940s. If you’re unfamiliar with the character of Holmes and his stories, you may think that a present day consistent adaptation of book to film of Holmes would be inherently boring, seeing as how people at the end of the 19th century weren’t altogether exciting people by today’s popular opinion. On the contrary, I find Sherlock Holmes’ personality of the 1930s to be subtle and interesting. Most people do enjoy him once they see/read one of the classic Holmes stories. Holmes is witty, quick, adventurous, brilliant, and even a bit charming. He’s always a go-getter. He won’t pause for a second if it isn’t advantageous to his life or investigations.
But what’s most impressive is his moral character — at least in the Basil Rathbone movie adaptations. Sherlock has impeachable noble interest in honesty and integrity. He appreciates the simplicity of a friend like Dr. Watson that is transparent in practically every way. Sherlock keeps the best company and doesn’t squander time on trivial pursuits. He’s always sharpening himself physically and mentally. He pursues excellence at the risk of looking like a fool (although Holmes is never the fool in the end, he doesn’t know that before hand).
In the movie Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, made in 1942, Holmes takes on even more than just upstanding moral behavior. He sounds Christian. At the end of the film, Holmes and Dr. Watson are driving back to Holmes’ residence from the Musgrave Manor. Dr. Watson notes what a loss it was for another character in the story to sacrifice a massive inheritance. This inheritance would have been taken from a few thousand other people their homes and livelihoods had the beneficiary wanted it. It would have been a sacrifice for the town’s folk, but since the beneficiary gives up the inheritance no one is out of their homes. Sherlock Holmes disagrees with Dr. Watson that the woman is going to miss her inheritance in stating the following:
“The time’s coming, Watson, when we shall not be able to fill our bellies in comfort while other folk go hungry; or sleep in warm beds, while others shiver in the cold; when we shan’t be able to kneel and thank God for blessings before our shining alters while men anywhere are needing either physical or spiritual subjection…. And God willing, we will live to see that day, Watson.”
— Sherlock Holmes, “Sherlock Holmes Faces Death”
That’s what I wanna hear. Way to go, Sherlock Holmes! Of course, it’s not the most profound Christian ethic, but it’s remarkable coming from one of the world’s most renown detectives on all english literature. In fact, there is a lot about Sherlock Holmes that isn’t just decent, but Christian in his character.
I hate to go here, but it’s got to be noted that this Christian persona of the great detective is completely abolished in the upcoming movie starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. My, how we’ve changed the man. Sherlock, as he has always been, is not at all found in this adaptation of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. What is this world coming to?
It is a crying shame that a story so decent and reputable should be so marred. I hope there will be many that are disgusted by the new film, and retreat to the classic version without without a second thought for the new and repulsive.
I hope the day will come soon that people will not be able to bare the filth so commonly plaguing the arts. I hope readers, writers, moviemakers and audiences will seek what is decent, honest, and good for mankind. I hope that heroism and Christian values will be our precious attributes in a man and role model once again, and we will not be able to stand the sin and iniquity that so easily turns us into the antagonists to God Himself. And God willing, we shall see change towards this end in our very generation.
Speak Up
Sherlock Holmes is by no means a perfect character, but he’s a role model I think, nonetheless. Who are some greats from fiction you admire? What are your thoughts about the upcoming Sherlock Holmes movie? Don’t you think, even if it was done right, Jude Law would have made a better Holmes?
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Though I haven’t seen the new film (and it certainly doesn’t look like a particularly faithful take on Holmes), it should be noted that the early cinematic versions offered a considerably more sanitized take on the character than the original stories (omitting, for instance, his considerable drug addiction among other flaws).
If I were to pick an ideal Holmes, I’d probably start with Jeremy Irons, though he’s certainly aging these days.
I’m an avid fan of the Sherlock Holmes books and I believe the most accurate reproduction of the books was done by Granada Television with Jeremy Brett as Holmes and David Burke as Watson. Watson, in many of the earlier films are presented as a simple-minded tag-along. While in the book, we read an intelligent and observant coworker to Holmes. In fact, as a medical doctor, I’m sure he was more knowledgeable than Holmes in some aspects.
The genre of mystery novels is in itself a Christian idea. The fact that there is only one truth that the detective must abide by to discover the final solution reflects the biblical principle of God as the absolute lawgiver. Only a Christian can truly enjoy the deductive process behind solving criminal cases.
On the basis of Holmes’ drug usage you can’t say that he lacks moral upstanding. In his day, the 19th century, cocaine was used in the original Coca-Cola (hence, the ‘Coca’ in the product name). Most drugs that are understood today as addictive and morally/culturally objectionable were new to Great Britain at large. Dr. Watson prescribed cocaine to Holmes in the first place.
This isn’t to say that it is condoned in the books either. Holmes’ personal perspective of drugs is not really stated, leaving the reader to wonder just what Holmes’ really thinks of the matter. Once he was addicted to it, there wasn’t any reason to assume that he needed to stop using it.
“Watson, in many of the earlier films are presented as a simple-minded tag-along.”
I agree with you that he is too simple. That is a short-coming on the part of Holmes’ supporting cast.