the ULTIMATE Holmes
Okay...the only thing I can say is that Jeremy Brett is absolutely The One and Only Sherlock Holmes; no one else comes close to the mastery with which he plays this role.

This particular episode completely blew me away-- I agree that "Watson, this is no time for humbugs!" and the "This is clearly the work of red anarchists" are two of the many hilarious lines.

In addition to the humour, however, this episode's crowning glory is the much praised Last Scene, in which Jeremy Brett totally melts your heart with his Look. This scene makes it completely clear that Brett understands the character of Holmes perfectly! He brings an added depth of unexpected emotion to the role, which is wonderful. We don't usually get to see Holmes in a state of extreme emotion, making the end of this eisode even more of a pleasant surprise.

WOW! I'd watch this over and over, and so should you!

An hour of television perfection !
Although many of the episodes in the series are fantastic, this one is, by far, my very favorite.

I have a number of episodes on VHS and I always look forward to this one above all others. Let me tell you why.....

But first, a synopsis:

Lesrade brings to Holmes' and Watson's attention, a case he is working on because he knows of Holmes' appreciation of any case that is strange or unusual ... Another true Sherlock Holmes trait: We may see something, but we do not observe it.

Though probably the most wonderful moment is at the very end, when Lestrade congratulates Holmes. We see a rare level of seriousness in Lestrade and an even rarer level of emotion from Holmes, who also reveals a mutual respect for the Scotland Yard Inspector.

I feel that this episode truly encapsulates Holmes' style of investigation, as well as the personalities of the main characters.
Of course, the actors and actresses are completely believable in their respective roles, the sets are marvellous and the score could not be better. If anyone is a fan of a fantastic mystery that one can really get one's teeth into, then I could recommend nothing better than The Six Napoleons.

It is a true classic among classics!!!

Grazie, Granada!
Wow! Granada gets an A+ for this one! It is a wonderful mystery, and it is funny, though the humor doens't stick out; it just flows. The last scene is the best Sherlock scene of all time. The way Brett unveils the pearl (especially the tablecloth. Nice touch!), and explains the solution in typical Sherlock-dramatic style is fascinating. The scene where Lestrade praises Holmes is just awesome. (For those who haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil the end; be prepared for a Look that could melt hearts of stone.) As someone said below, Jeremy Brett IS Sherlock Holmes. He can act circles around Basil Rathbone anyday. Also, Watson is excellent. Hardwicke is the perfect supporting role. He is not a bumbling bafoon either. What a relief! For those of you who are fans of the Granada series, or have never seen any before, this is one of, if not the best. If I could give it 10 stars, I would do so in a heartbeat. Arrivederci!

A Rare Glimpse
The Six Napoleons is one of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's more entertaining tales. It's also one of the more popular tales in the Canon, topped only by The Hound of the Baskervilles. Here is a faithful and high-class adaptation of the story of a murderer on the loose in Victorian London, smashing busts of Napoleon with no apparent motive. The question is as always: Can Holmes solve the mystery and prevent another crime?

Quite frankly, I don't watch the Granada presentations of Doyle's stories for the story itself, though they are excellently told. I watch it mainly for the performance of Mr. Jeremy Brett, the man himself. The Six Napoleons showcases one of his more exhuberant performances as the Master. Brett has completely immersed himself into the character of Sherlock Holmes so deeply that it's impossible to tell where Holmes ends and Brett begins. Not to be left out, Watson, Lestrade & Co. provide a solid supporting cast, but it's Brett who we come to watch.

One scene which marks this episode and sets it apart from the rest in the series is the final scene which takes place in Holmes and Watson's sitting room. It provides the viewer a rare and personal glimpse into the man who is Sherlock Holmes. Those few captivating minutes are a fitting and memorable end to yet another wonderful hour with Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson.

A Pearl of Death
Fairly good video version of one of the most famous Sherlock Holmes stories, with a particularly nice ending showing Holmes and Lestrade in a rare moment of rapport. The story, which features a very dramatic device that keeps the plot moving with some urgency, was imaginatively adapted into one of the best Holmes movies starring Basil Rathbone, "The Pearl of Death."