I have made no secret of loving the Jeremy Brett adaptations of Sherlock Holmes, and The Red Circle is no exception. The beginning is perhaps a little stodgy, but it does pick up the pace quite quickly, so that is a minor discrepancy. As always the production values are terrific and the music is brilliant, particularly in the chilling sequence when the young lady is climbing the stairs towards the end. The script is sophisticated and arch, and the story is very intriguing and rarely loses momentum. The direction is great, and the acting is as always wonderful. Jeremy Brett looks tired but gives Holmes his all and does brilliantly and Edward Hardwicke is a dignified Watson. The supporting performances are fine too, the role of Gorgiano is quite brief but John Hallam brings some appropriate menace to the character, even hearing about the character makes us unnerved. I also found very haunting and chilling the scene with the villain talking through the door, with the music getting louder and everything it got rather tense admittedly. Overall, it is very well done and atmospheric. 9/10 Bethany Cox