Dr. Watson, who served in the English armed forces and was in the Afghan war, retires and returns to his homeland, in England. Since the financial situation of the doctor is very precarious, his long-time friend Mr. Stamford offers him to rent a room in the house at 221-B Baker Street, which is rented by an elderly lady - Mrs. Hudson. The second rented room is already occupied by another gentleman - the mysterious Mr. Sherlock Holmes. Holmes makes an ambiguous impression on Watson. He conducts complex chemical experiments with blood, plays the violin, has the deepest knowledge about cigar ash, London dirt and criminal law, but at the same time demonstrates complete ignorance of well-known truths (for example, the fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun), does not read fiction, as well as books on history and philosophy. At the same time, very strange visitors constantly come to Holmes, and on the table he has portraits of personalities of a disgusting appearance.
Acting
Livanov's Holmes: eccentric, arrogant, unexpectedly tender.
Production
Soviet-era Baker Street somehow feels more authentic than British versions.
Writing
Watson's dry narration captures Doyle's voice perfectly.

Director
Igor Maslennikov
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This Soviet adaptation was so beloved that Livanov received an Order of the British Empire in 2006—rare for a Russian actor, and unprecedented for playing a British icon.
Vasiliy Livanov and Vitali Solomin became lifelong friends during filming; their genuine chemistry shaped every subsequent Holmes-Watson pairing you love.
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