The Copper Beeches (1912)

★★★★ · Fascinating Historical Holmes Film · Poohbah70 · 2019-07-15

The film was produced under the supervision of Arthur Conan Doyle, which allows us a remarkable insight into how he saw fit to morph the story to fit into the approximately 25 minute time frame available - how the plot should play itself out, which actions should be dwelt on. There is no Watson, nor Rucastle's wife, nor the servants Toller and wife, nor the mastiff - evidently too much to juggle to make the story's point as Doyle saw it - less sensationalism, more melodrama. Of course, it is overacted by our talkie standards, but is in a style that was current in 1912. This version is…