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Sherlock Holmes: Five Best Portrayals

By Suzanne Camfield on Fri 7 Mar, 2014

With the news that the BBCs very popular Sherlock will not return to our screens with series four until 2016, this leaves us plenty of time to seek out other portrayals of one of the most famous literary characters ever created; Sherlock Holmes. The London-based consulting detective first appeared in 1887, created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes has appeared in 56 short stories and 4 novels. Along with his friend and sidekick Dr. John Watson, Holmes uses reason and deduction to solve a variety of cases.

Sherlock Holmes’ personality has been explored many times, but his character is of someone who borders on arrogant, but who is also usually correct and manages to outwit his contemporaries. Although shown as cold and uninterested in people, he is close to John Watson, who is his only friend. Many actors have put their own stamp on the Holmes character, and each have managed to portray him in a different way whilst still holding onto the main characteristics of Sherlock Holmes.

This countdown will let us take a look at five of my favourite portrayals of Sherlock Holmes.

5. Nicol Williamson

In a mostly forgotten Sherlock Holmes portrayal, Nicol Williamson played Holmes in the 1976 film The Seven-Per-Cent Solution. Written by Nicholas Meyer, and based on his 1974 novel, the film follows Holmes and Watson as they travel to Vienna to meet Sigmund Freud in order to cure Holmes of his cocaine addiction. Williamson was always known as a troubled man who was plagued with many issues, but he was also an excellent actor. Williamson manages to bring these qualities to his portrayal of Holmes, and plays the character as a deeply troubled man who is dealing with many issues. In an on set interview, Williamson said; “If you don’t like my Sherlock Holmes, maybe you don’t like me.” Williamson plays Holmes with such desperation that you could believe that you are truly watching a real man falling apart. A hidden gem among the many Sherlock Holmes films.

4. Basil Rathbone

An early portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, but one of the most famous, Basil Rathbone played Holmes from 1939 until 1946 in fourteen films. Rathbone embodies the version of Holmes that the books describe, and Rathbone was also friends with Nigel Bruce who plays Dr. Watson before they were both cast. This allows for their relationship on-screen to looks as authentic as their close friendship off-screen was. Eventually, Rathbone became disillusioned with the role and felt typecast, and quit after seven years. Rathbone often said of the role “the first picture was, as it were, a negative from which I merely continued to produce endless positives of the same photograph.” This doesn’t take anything away from the fact that Rathbone gives one of the finest performances of Holmes.

3. Robert Downey Jr.

A modern re-telling of the story, but set in Victorian Britain. Robert Downey Jr. is an openly arrogant character in his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. He is less troubled and more self-absorbed in this version, but this contrasts perfectly with the Jude Law portrayal of Dr. Watson, who is more soft and caring. Both show opposite ends of the spectrum in their relationship, but both work together so well. A more Americanised version of Holmes, but still an entertaining portrayal on-screen.

2. Robert Stephens

Perhaps the best portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in film, Robert Stephens is excellent as the super sleuth in the Billy Wilder 1970 comedy-drama, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. This film has Wilder’s touch all over it, including his humour and style of writing. In a portrayal of Holmes which is very similar to the Cumberbatch version, but with slightly softer edges, Stephens plays the role with humour and charm, making Holmes very witty and almost someone you would want to have as your friend. There is often the hint that Holmes is homosexual in this version, and Wilder has often stated in later years that he wishes he had the courage to make Holmes openly gay in the film. A charming Sherlock Holmes film. 

1. Benedict Cumberbatch

The most recent portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, and currently the most popular; Benedict Cumberbatch has managed to bring his own characteristics to his version of Holmes. As it is set in the present day, this updated version shows us Holmes in the modern world, with gadgets and technology to be used in his favour. Cumberbatch plays the role with a hint of sadness that always leaves the audience wondering what it underneath the exterior that Holmes portrays. Cumberbatch himself has also said that his Holmes may be slightly autistic. Appearing to be unsympathetic and self-absorbed, Holmes friendship with Dr. Watson is shown to be very strong, which produces a great relationship on-screen. A very popular version of Sherlock Holmes, and an excellent version to watch.

Many wonderful actors who have played Sherlock Holmes have been missed from this countdown, but honourable mentions should be given to fan favourites Jeremy Brett, whose portrayal of the character in the 1984 TV series formed the basis for many future performances of the character, and Vasily Livanov, whose portrayal in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson was also brilliant. Johnny Lee Miller, Douglas Wilmer, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and a few more very early portrayals of the character also narrowly missed the top five, but there is no doubt that the listed five are among the best Sherlock Holmes portrayals on-screen. If you wish to seek out more Sherlock Holmes films, then there is no better place to start than with this countdown.

This list is my personal top five portrayals of the character, so we would love to hear your favourite portrayal of Sherlock Holmes too. Let us know who you would have at the top of your Sherlock Holmes list in the comments below!

Suzanne is a history graduate who lives in London and is passionate about film (and Jerry Lewis). Check out more of her writing on her blog suzannecamfield.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter @writingsuzanne for all her latest updates.
Related ItemsArthur Conan DoyleBasil RathboneBenedict CumberbatchBilly WilderChristopher LeeDouglas WilmerJeremy BrettJohn WatsonJohnny Lee MillerJude LawNicholas MeyerNicol WilliamsonNigel BrucePeter CushingRobert Downey-JrRobert StephensSherlockSherlock HolmesSigmund FreudThe Private Life of Sherlock HolmesThe Seven Percent Solution
  • Geek In A Deerstalker

    The curious incident of where the hell is Jeremy Brett? Come on!

    As for me – My head says Brett, my heart says Cumberbatch and my inner five-year-old still loves her first – a cartoon mouse called Basil.

    • Irreverentguru

      Agree with this assessment entirely!

  • AnnPage

    I am happy to see Cumberbatch in the #1 spot, but how will we possibly make it until 2016 for the next “Sherlock” episode?

    • Fuhng Mahn Dai

      It will be a difficult wait for sure!

  • johne53

    Admittedly I’ve never seen the film with Robert Downey Jr but I agree with most of the other comments so far. Jeremy Brett was head and shoulders above the others. In fact, most diehard Holmes fans agree (according to articles I’ve read). Brett’s portrayal was sheer mastery. Personally, I’d rate Cumberbatch’s performance as “above average” but Martin Freeman’s portrayal of Watson is “utterly dire”. Freeman was brilliant in The Office but he’s been dreadful in every other part he’s played.

  • John Jacobson

    Jeremy Brett should be at the top, followed by Benedict Cimberbatvh

    • Steven Hall

      Umm, not really.

  • Cedric

    Four of the five Holmes portrayals mentioned above are too tongue-in-cheek for my taste. My choices are: Jeremy Brett (1), Basil Rathbone (2) and per haps Ian Richardson, Roger Moore and Rupert Everett in the succeeding places.

  • Ukrainian

    Vasily Livanov – the best one))

  • Ulrike

    Thank you thank you thank you for leaving that hopelessly overrated Jeremy Brett out! He was the best Sidney Paget illustrations actor maybe, but never a convincing Holmes. And thank you thank you for listing Robert Stephens, who was my favourite Holmes before Cumberbatch hit the nail on the head equalling completely the literary Holmes I pictured from reading the books (again and again and again). I also love RDJ for adding the physical part that’s mentioned in the books, but hardly ever in the movies, mostly due to the fact that the actors tended to be a lot older than the described Holmes.

  • Saurabh Gupta

    Always and always Jeremy Brett.. I have been his fan for the last 10 years since I watched the first show on history channel…

  • barbara

    1-Jeremy Brett, 2- Benedict Cumberbatch. Basil Rathbone set a high standard, and my 2 favorites exceeded his portrayal. This is one of the few shows that are worth watching these days!

  • Heb Trail

    Sir Vasily Leonov is the best Sherlock!
    And the best John Watson is Andrei Panin!

  • Giuliano Milana

    My favourite Sherlock Holmes without a doubt is Jeremy Brett!

  • Ivan Ogarev

    Brett, Rathbone, Cumberbatch… and Nicholas Rowe!!!!

  • PCP

    I wholly agree with the previous comments….Jeremy Brett #1. There hasn’t been another portrayal of Sherlock that’s even in the same league.

  • sebd

    On stage: William Gillette, John Wood, Paxton Whitehead
    On film: Arthur Wontner, Basil Rathbone,
    On video: Douglas Wilmer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Johnny Lee Miller
    On radio: William Gillette, Basil Rathbone, John Giegud
    Mr Brett looked and sounded marvelous, but stressed the showier aspects of the character over an underlying humor and humanity that for me,at least, is one of Holmes’s chief charms.

    But there is no such thing as a “best” Holmes. We can find something to like in any actor’s work.

  • RWP

    Where the hell is Ian Richardson?

  • abdurahmon

    Films made in USSR about Holmes are the best

    • Big Boss

      Thank you… I mean, I’m not going to outright state that “Vasily Livanov was the best Sherlock Holmes”, because that all boils down to a matter of opinion. But still, for an actor who was so heavily lauded and awarded for his acting in that role, I think even the Queen herself loved it, Vasily Livanov is greatly… greatly underrepresented in these polls. I don’t know why he’s swept under the rug like this so often, maybe it stems from that lingering “Cold War animosity” that seems prevalent in the Western World… maybe it’s some other reason, I don’t know. I do know it’s a shame, though. I know that much. Benedict is a damn good choice for the modern day Sherlock Holmes, I mean he’s just got that look about him.

      • James Austin

        Never saw Vasily Livanov so can’t comment there. However Sherlock Holmes is a product of the late 19th century. Bringing him forward is like portraying King Arthur as the the President of the US, and replacing Excaliber with an AK 47..

  • Anne Quénec’hdu

    Jeremy brett!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Alex

    Are you kidding me? Vasily Livanov is the best one.

  • Charles Leach

    Don’t forget Ian Richardson.

  • Allen Bentley

    I liked Christopher Plummer as Sherlock Holmes in ‘ Murder by Decree’ 1979 movie. He went up against Jack the Ripper, & I thought it was an awesome thrill ride of a story & great cast.

  • adrian

    Has no-one watched the excellent show “elementary”? Aidan Quinn has to be ahead of Robert Downey Jr

  • Drew Swearingen

    What, you left out George C. Scott.They Might Be Giants was an enjoyable film, and his Holmes was fun to watch.

  • Cristina

    Benedict Cumberbatch! he’s the best Sherlock Holmes.

  • Nicholas Shearer

    Agree with Jeremy Brett being top 5. Benedict may not even make my top five, as I much prefer Peter Cushing and even Johnny Lee Miller over him (for a modern day take on Holmes, Elementary blows BBC’s Sherlock out of the water). Why all the hate for Robert Downey Junior, he embraced the physical side of Holmes very well – I have seen worse – the 1st film is better than the 2nd certainly.

  • Pax

    Hey what about Jeremy Brett his portrayal is the best in my opinion

  • Crystina

    Trash article.

  • Brandor

    Nice fail Focus Films. Not only did you skip out Jeremy Brett as undoubtedly the greatest portrayal of the character, but i do believe he played the character the longest. This is an uneducated article, and as a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s and of classical literature in general, I hope you have the sense to correct it. Clearly I’m not the only one here who feels this.

  • http://avangers.com Sherlock Fan

    I like Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey- Jr as Sherlock Holmes. They both are amazing and Sherlocking. :D

  • Petro Muluha

    I am a Kenyan but cannot believe you’ve left out Jeremy Brett … how do you leave him out? None of the above without Brett.

  • thedevilbunny

    Are you kidding me on this? No Jeremy Brett?!?!? Obviously, this writer is a fool. I kept scrolling just assuming he was number one..wow, total and complete fail.

  • jdsteppenzyde

    Jeremy Brett and Basil Rathbone. Then BC. The rest are okay.

  • Prapti

    Benedict Cumberbatch…<3 brilliant actor, he portrayed the character so beautifully..I can not imagine anyone else as Sherlock now…though Robert Downey Jr too was great…

  • James

    I don’t think it’s fair for cumberbatch to be in the list just because its new, same for RDJ. I’m rather surprised Hugh Laurie wasn’t mentioned, House was a huge success as a show

  • http://aghoshb.com/ Aghosh Babu

    Came here to say this. Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Holmes the same way he did Tony Stark. He did no justice to the character of Holmes, it was absolute abomination.

  • http://aghoshb.com/ Aghosh Babu

    #1 is Rathbone, obviously.

    Why isn’t Jonny Lee Miller mentioned ? His portrayal of Holmes is far better than that of Cumberbatch, who portrays Holmes as a sociopath, or Robert Downey Jr. who portrays Holmes as an alter ego of Tony Stark.

    • Laura

      because jonny lee miller plays a cartoonish version that has nothing to do with the original stories, like RDJr. Nobody cares about his “Holmes”

    • MoiraB

      I was with you until you put down RDJ, whose portrayal of Holmes is as far away from Tony Stark as anything one could imagine. RDJ IS one of our finest Holmeses and deserves his place on the list.

  • Rohan Yates

    Tom Baker doesn’t even get a mention? Despite playing the role in The Hound of the Baskervilles?

  • Lenka Iqus

    I am a fan of the more classic takes on Sherlock Holmes, so my number one is Basil Rathbone. When I saw him for the first time, I was speechless – that man didn’t PLAY Sherlock, he WAS Sherlock. Then, of course, there is Jeremy Brett who doesn’t really have the appearance I would expect but who still potrayed my favourite detective in a very good way. As for the others, they are not worth mentioning – I believe I saw the word “abomination” somewhere among the comments and I heartily agree with it. That goes especially for this Cumberbatch person – and no, I don’t care how many of his loyal fans will threaten me.

  • Romi

    I strongly believe Jeremy Brett has done an excellent job performing Sherlock and shows his characteristics perfectly. Benedict Cumberbatch is the best contemporary Sherlock Holmes, who keeps the essence of the detective in this new era.

  • Doubting tom 2

    Amusing coincidence in that A. Conan Doyle and Basil Rathbone both ended up hating Holmes, and Jeremy Brett was driven insane by his portrayal of Holmes. A. Conan Doyle even killed him off but there was such an outcry from the public he had to bring him back. Basil thought he was being type cast in the roll. In a way they were both right. Doyle wrote a book called the “White Company” which was an excellent historical fiction book about the English archer, and he also wrote the book “The Lost World” which surely was the progenitor of ‘Jurassic Park’. Both have been ignored for years. With the exception of the evil sheriff of Nottingham in the movie “Robin Hood” I can’t remember Rathbone performing in any movies of note except the “Holmes” series.

    Scarlett: Most Holmes stories are short stories, or at the very best are novellas. Originally they were not published in book form, but in English magazines, with those hateful words, (to be continued next month) at the end of the segment.

  • pejman

    Jeremy Brett should be at the top.There hasn’t been another portrayal of Sherlock that’s even in the same league.

  • Big Boss

    Why does everyone forget Vasily Livanov? In the late 1970s and in the 1980s, Livanov played the part of Sherlock Holmes in the Soviet TV Movie Series: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, alongside Vitaly Solomin and Rina Zelyonaya, who played Doctor Watson and Mrs. Hudson. Livanov was so good that he is the only Russian actor to ever receive an Honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) “for service to the theatre and performing arts” and also the rare one to receive a membership of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London. Not only that, but his portrait is dead center in the middle of the second of the Sherlock Holmes Museum Not only that, but apparently, Sir Conan Arthur Doyle’s daughter, Jean Conan Doyle, once commented that her father would approve of Livanov as Sherlock Holmes.

    Now, with that slew of achievements for his role as Sherlock Holmes, I’m somewhat shocked that he’s almost never mentioned. Seriously, I’ve looked at tons of these types of polls, and I’ve only seen him about once… Quite disappointing, really.

  • anya

    Vasily Livanov

  • Sharon H

    For the record, I do not like Cumberbatch. Maybe it was the hair…I don’t know, he just wasn’t Holmes. They did such a good job with bringing Holmes and Watson into modern London, just as was done with Rathbone and Bruce transported to the ’40s. Although to me, nothing like the dark alleys of Old London!

  • Ed

    Christopher Plummer’s performances need more recognition. Good list, though.

  • benjamin

    JEREMY BRETT WAS THE BEST SHERLOCK HOLMES EVER

  • Magy

    IMHO, best one is inside our mind, what we create while reading novels. However, if I have to choose one of movie actors, I really missing Jeremy Brett. And as I can see, I’m not alone. So my question is: WHO THE HELL MAKE THIS STUPID LIST???

  • Holmes

    Lame article, where the fuc* is Jeremy Brett?

  • http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Emergency-Medical-Paramedic-ebook/dp/B00DC2Z648/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373923565&sr=8-2&keywords=blue+star+reno skepticR

    BS!!! Jeremy Brett hands down! He runs circles around all the others put together! What idiot put this list together and what was he smoking when he did it?

  • Holmes

    lame article, where the f— is Jeremy Brett?

  • Samuel Alvarez Barral

    Peter Cushing and Basil Rathbone

  • James Austin

    Jeremy Brett would be my first choice hands down.. The others I don’t care far, although Robert Downey Jr is certainly entertaining..

  • Андрей Шестов

    The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire- Vasiliy Livanov – best Holmes!

  • BobbyD

    Who is Jeremy Brett??

  • Vishal

    I am loving Cumberbatch’s Sherlock but you can’t look beyond Brett as the definitive Holmes portrayal

  • Fuhng Mahn Dai

    Benedict Cumberbatch!

  • TheRealKorbenDallas

    I don’t know what is the fundamental reason for this, but it is indeed always the case with British literature: Soviet movies are universally recognized as the best adaptations. Livanov and his Shelock Holmes is indeed number one.

  • cuthillh

    Jeremy Brett is, was and always will be the definitive Sherlock Holmes.

  • DarklingMagick

    My top Sherlock Holmes incarnations are as follows:

    1. Jeremy Brett – Jeremy’s version which aired on PBS here in the US in
    the 80s and 90s was literally word for word what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote.
    Under-appreciated now Brett’s version personifies Sherlock.

    2. Benadict Cumberbatch – Though it kind of humps the shark at the end of
    series 3 Steven Moffat’s Sherlock (portrayed by Benadict Cumberbatch) helps us
    to see how truly timeless Sherlock actually is and how easily he can lend
    himself to a mondern setting. He also works with a brilliant Watson who is not
    over-shadowed by Sherlock himself.

    3. Basil Rathbone – An ironic actor who played sherlock many times and
    even inspired Disney’s The Great Mouse Detective. He also worked with one of
    the better Watsons and would tragically refuse to play Sherlock after his
    Watson, Nigel Bruce, passed away.

    4. Robert Downey Jr. – Though his version, from the recent Sherlock
    Holmes movies, doesn’t follow any specific Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story and has
    some parody-like traits he does personify all the extremes of eccentricity in
    Sherlock Holmes. He also had a great Watson in Jude Law. You can’t have a good
    Sherlock without a good Watson and Jude Law’s Watson was reasonably exasperated
    yet attached to his Sherlock. Jude Law also does a surprisingly good villain
    with an excellent villain’s maniacal laugh in Rise of The Guardians as The
    Boogie Man (an excellent but under-rated movie).

    5. Peter Cushing – I absolutely loved Peter Cushing in the Hammer version
    of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

    6. Richard Roxburgh – Though, generally, a bit of a ham with his version
    of Dracula in Van Helsing (2004) and his villain role in Moulin Rogue he also
    played a decent Sherlock Holmes.

  • Paul Pelkonen

    Jeremy Brett. Twice on Sunday and brilliant throughout the whole run of the show.

  • Siti Sarifah Sutalaksana

    I don’t know whether most people remember him, but my best actor that played the character Sherlock Holmes was Jeremmy Brett. He played the role in the 1980’s. I think he really embodied the classic profile of Sherlock Holmes and I think the entire casts that played the series really portrayed the characters of the Sherlock Holmes series back then. Bravo.

  • Siti Sarifah Sutalaksana

    I agree with you very much. Brett is the true Sherlock Holmes!

  • shihab

    Cumberbatch no doubt..

  • Nik

    Jeremy Brett, Anytime best!

  • Warrior

    Jeremy Brett was born to play Sherlock Holmes, I might go as far in saying that If Sherlock Holmes were to ever come alive, it would be undeniably under the skin of Mr Brett, the author seems to have overlooked the fact that it was Mr Brett, who otherwise had a non-resplendent movie career, at the fag end of his career (after having played Holmes so infatuatedly and flawlessly in the BBC series for almost a decade), had admitted that Holmes had actually taken over his soul, which resulted in him actually living and imagining the life, which only Holmes was privy to, in the book of Doyle …

    It’s so overwhelming to see and experience the dedication of this great actor, who died of manic depression resulting from this double life, the true aficionado of Holmes, for me and my wife, he’s actually “Sherlock Holmes” in the flesh …

  • Nicola

    Jeremy Brett

  • http://ibmiller.livejournal.com/ Ian Miller

    Jeremy Brett should always be on the top five of any Sherlock on screen list, even if you don’t think he’s the best. The quantity and quality of his work alone puts him significantly ahead of several of these choices.

  • Jane

    RDJ is a rediculous choice for Sherlock! Also I love IronMan and he’s enchating as Tony Stark. But the way he played Holmes ia really an insult! If they wanted to show someone like this why not create him instead of insulting classical novels? As for who the best Homes is – surely the one that is in the book! He’s immortal and you can read him in thouthand different ways! That’s what genious means! As much as sir Arthur Conan Doyle might have been tired of him he’s genious! My personal favourite is Vasily Livanov. His version is very Conan Doyle spirited and he portreys Holmes as a true gentleman first of all, no madness prevails.. it’s very balanced. The voise of the actor gives additional charm to this version. You should just hear it! The recognition that he got in Britain for his work is amazing considering that it was Soviet TV series…

    • MoiraB

      Totally untrue, your opinion about RDJ. Well, I’m glad it’s just your opinion, because it’s certainly not fact. RDJ strongly deserves to be in the Top 5 portrayals of Holmes on anyone’s list. His Holmes is an inventive, innovative and quite brilliant take on the immortal character, and about as far away from his Tony Stark portrayal as can be imagined. Many of us LOVE Robert’s Sherlock Holmes and believe that, among creative re-imaginings of the canon, his take on the character is definitely one of the finest. Luckily, my opinion cancels out yours.

  • MoiraB

    RDJ is my favorite of all, although the others are fine too. The folks below who put down his interpretation of Holmes have obviously no appreciation for the canon and no appreciation for the heart and humanity Robert brings to the role of Sherlock Holmes. Well, haters gonna hate, I guess; we’ll just consider you ignorant.

    The RDJ Holmes movies have both been inventive, hilarious, well-written, creative re-imaginings of the canon, set in a lavishly and lovingly wrought Victorian world that is full of tiny details that I still goggle over every time I watch the two films. Robert brings both depth and soul to Sherlock Holmes — his Holmes is not only a feisty, bravura man of action (as he is — yes he IS — in the canon!), but he has an
    underlying air of melancholy and tragedy, just under the surface, and that is
    ALL the actor (it’s not really in the scripts).

    And the movies, though on the surface big brawny action-adventure-comedies, are really ALL about Holmes and Watson, and that’s just as it should be. It’s why we love the canon adventures, even though some of Conan Doyle’s stories are just as goofy as the movies — because we love the Detective and the Doctor and how they rely on
    each other and how their friendship is at the heart of it all.

    Although I love ALL the “modern” adaptations — and of course Jeremy Brett’s is the sine qua non of canonicalism — RDJ’s bold and brilliant take on Holmes is the one that brought me back to the canon after some time away, and inspired me all over again. The news that a third movie is in the works now is terrific, and it will be hard to wait!

  • MoiraB

    Wrong – RDJ’s is a fine interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, and I’m a Holmesian of at least 25 years’ standing. If you don’t like Holmes re-interpreted creatively as a comedy-action movie, fine, but don’t insult one of our finest actors, who brings depth and humanity to the role underneath all the comedy and explosions. And if I hear one more person comparing his Sherlock Holmes to Tony Stark, I’m going to reach through my computer screen and bop you one. There is NO comparison. You can’t even look at RDJ’s Sherlock and think of Tony Stark — they are completely different characters in every conceivable way. They don’t even LOOK the same — the actor’s face is so different and unique in each that you can’t imagine his Sherlock Holmes as Tony Stark. Nope, sirs, you are completely in the wrong.

  • MoiraB

    Downey’s Holmes is completely deserving of being in the top 5 — his movies were quite canonical while being inventive re-creations of the canonical character. And his Holmes has far more depth, intelligence and brilliance than you or some others give him credit for.

  • MoiraB

    Downey’s was a fine interpretation – you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. He’s inventive, funny, brilliant and captures facets of Sherlock Holmes that no one else has — including his penchant for martial arts and disguises. And he was also the innovator who threw away the stupid deerstalker hat and meerschaum pipe, and paved the way for the other “modern” matinee-idol versions.

  • MoiraB

    Downey’s Holmes was terrific, though.