MovieChat Forums > The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1987) Discussion > Jeremy Brett's massive weight gain?

Jeremy Brett's massive weight gain?

posted 11 years ago by cold_sky
6 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching this series, Return of Sherlock Holmes, on old DVDs from the library; the new transfers are quite difficult to get and I'm impatient. So maybe the new DVD collection is in order.

But I only just found out that my current series set is somewhat out of order—Musgrave Ritual, the third episode I think, doesn't even appear until the last disc.

So I was surprised when I started Wisteria Lodge (now I know that's supposed to be near the end of the series) and Holmes is, to put it bluntly, fat.

I'll find out as the series progresses (I will now watch it in order), but is his weight gain intentional or was there a health issue, anyone know?

[–] cold_sky 11 years ago

ok, just watched Return of SH in order (with one episode left) and his weight gain is steady and almost unnoticeable between the third episode, to Sign of the Four, to Wisteria Lodge... but jumping from Musgrave to Wisteria, it's incredibly noticeable .

is.gd/cagedvirgins!

[–] Doris_Wildthyme 11 years ago

The weight gain was due to Brett's health. He sufferred with bi-polar disorder, and the lithium that he took to manage the condition caused him to retain fluid, resulting in him getting larger.

[–] cold_sky 11 years ago

Ahh I didn't know. He'd still retained the water through Hounds of the Baskerville (that's as far as I've gotten so far).

I know his health has been discussed many times on this board (or the Adventures board or his board... somewhere). I should read his wiki article and figure out what was going on.

is.gd/cagedvirgins!

[–] hbenthow 10 years ago

The medication for his bipolar disorder did damage to his heart and caused him to retain water, causing him to appear bloated and pale in many later episodes. Eventually, when his heart started to give out, they put him on heart medication and diuretics. That's why in the very last episode ("The Cardboard Box"), he looks much better and healthier, with no sign of bloating and a less pale complexion. Unfortunately, the treatments were too little, too late, and he died soon thereafter of heart failure.

Courage, men! We've not sunk before, and we'll not sink now!

[–] cobram-1 10 years ago

Wow, sad news, I hadn't heard of his demise, don't really keep up with these sort of things but thoroughly enjoy his interpretation of Sherlock.

I don't think there will ever be another actor who can come even close to portraying the sleuth as faithfully to the written stories as Jeremy Brett did.

Happiness is a belt-fed weapon.

[–] fanaticita 10 years ago

This is my second time to watch all of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock episodes, and yes I remember his weight gain and also how much his face changed. His health apparently really took a toll on him.