Fans have witnessed the two most popular portrayals of Sherlock Holmes by Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch. This great detective was built by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The character made its first manifestation in A Study in Scarlet in 1887. Sherlock Holmes’ popularity skyrocketed and all thanks to the short stories that were published in The Strand Magazine. This began in 1891 with “A Scandal in Bohemia“.
Sherlock Holmes was featured in 4 novels and 56 short stories. It was adapted in all types of media portals for more than 100 years. There have been many actors who have played the role on stage, on TV and in Films. Each actor has his own style.
In 2009, Robert Downey Jr played the title character in Guy Ritchie’s film that was titled, Sherlock Holmes. The film got a sequel in 2011. It was titled Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. This film has featured the death of the detective at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. But then he makes a surprise appearance at the end, making way for the third film.
BBC brought its own version of Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock in 2010. It was created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. The series has featured modern-day London, adapting famous cases of the detective along with major characters. It had Benedict Cumberbatch as the detective, attended by Martin Freeman as John Watson. It evolved to be a popular series with Sherlock Holmes fans while also assembling its very own fanbase.
Performances of Downey Jr and Cumberbatch were praised by critics and viewers.
Who was accurate according to the books?
The movie is different from the book. There were changes that were being made while adapting the book on screen. Though, Sherlock Holmes is not based on any story that is written by Conan Doyle. But many characters have been taken from it. Lord Blackwood, the film’s villain, is an original creation. Sherlock Holmes is a unique man from stories. He has a tendency to be messy at home but respectful and passionate when outside. Downey’s version of Holmes was aggressive and impulsive and impatient. He has many characteristics from the source. He is very good at different types of combats.
Sherlock refers to ” high-functioning psychopath”. He is cold and rude to those around him. While Downey’s version has shown respect to those around him. And Cumberbatch’s version has nothing to do with that. Downey’s Sherlock has his skills and tricks that are true to the source material.
Who follows better stories and cases?
This is clear that a TV show gives more chances to explore different angles of a story. Just like the first film, the second film has incorporated original characters. It introduces Professor Moriarty.
Sherlock has taken many of the cases from Conan Doyle. This has made the audience a part of the movie. Sherlock has the best stories but this really does not mean that stories of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows are bad or not interesting. But they are different interpretations.
Both are good detectives, but who surpassed the other?
Both the versions are praiseworthy at different levels. They have solved the cases no matter how complex the case is. In novels, Sherlock Holmes has surprised those around him with his deductive skills.
The movie follows the same style and source material but when it comes to revealing the train of thought, viewers are unable to see what Sherlock’s mind is working on. He needs to explain the scenario.
Sherlock was praised for his skills, especially after he came back from death. Sherlock’s skills were not reasonable anymore. Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes was a promising detective. But he entered a point where what he did was pure imagination, whereas Downey Jr’s version was a much more reasonable and acceptable detective.
Downey Jr is simply Better Than Cumberbatch
However, both versions have given different perspectives of the great detective. Out of Robert Downey Jr and Benedict Cumberbatch, Downey’s version tops the result.
His portrayal is one that interests fans of Conan Doyle’s stories. Out of the two, Downey Jr’s is closer to what Sherlock Holmes is like in the novels than Cumberbatch’s version.
It is not bad, it is simply not rich.
