“Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” fight scenes

As an experienced boxer, stick fighter and expert in “baritsu”, Sherlock Holmes came close to E.W. Barton-Wright’s ideal of Bartitsu.  Click on the text links below to watch some fight sequences from the classic 1984 – 1994 Granada Television series, starring Jeremy Brett as Holmes.

Holmes attempts to fend off two attackers with his cane

Holmes demonstrates the gentlemanly art of fisticuffs

Holmes employs “baritsu” to defeat Professor Moriarty

7 Comments

• 

  By Ian, Tuesday, 3rd February 2009 @ 6:18 pm

  I haven’t posted here before, and I’m only posting in regards to a query I have (not to the article I am afraid – though Brett is my favorite Holmes and looks great in those clips).

  What I wonder is whether the two books for sale on Bartitsu that you have entail actually how to use the martial art? Of course, the best way to learn it would be through a seminar or class as listed in one of your previous entries, but unfortunately none of those are any way near where I live (southern England).

  I currently box, and have been looking just to learn some additional moves, and wondered if your two books can do this (or maybe one, if so – which?)?

  Also am I right in saying these books are the only books available on the martial art (I cannot find any other books)?

  Thank you for your time,

  Ian

• 

  By Ian, Tuesday, 3rd February 2009 @ 6:29 pm

  I also forgot to add; do both of your book’s profits’ go towards buying a gravestone for E.W. Barton-Wright? Or is it only the first?

• 

  By Tony Wolf, Wednesday, 4th February 2009 @ 7:22 pm

  Hi Ian,

  yes, these are the only books available on Bartitsu.

  Both volumes of the Bartitsu Compendium include combinations of historical material (reprinted newspaper articles, etc.) and instructional material. The proportions are roughly 2/3 historical info. in Volume I and 2/3 instructional material in Volume II.

  If your current experience is in boxing, you might find Vol. II more useful to start with; it goes into much more technical detail re. the jiujitsu, savate and stick fighting components of the art.

• 

  By Tony Wolf, Wednesday, 4th February 2009 @ 7:23 pm

  All profits from both volumes go towards the E.W. Barton-Wright memorial project and any additional funds are dedicated towards Bartitsu research.

• 

  By Ian, Thursday, 5th February 2009 @ 12:05 am

  Thank you very much for your reply, I also am immensely interested in the historical side of Bartitsu, so I think both volumes will be appropriate, and given that it goes to a great cause then I feel even more obligated to buy both volumes!

  One other thing I forgot to mention earlier; keep up the work with this excellent site. It really is superb; informative, accurate and regularly updated. Having worked on websites myself, I know how much work it can be, but I have to say in this case it is all worth it.

• 

  By Tony Wolf, Thursday, 5th February 2009 @ 12:19 am

  Hi Ian,

  you’re welcome, and are also invited to join the discussions on the Bartitsu Forum email list – http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bartitsu_Forum/ . The list is a notably active and positive venue for conversations about Bartitsu and related subjects.

• 

  By Ian, Thursday, 5th February 2009 @ 12:09 pm

  Excellent, I shall start to chat away soon.

Other Links to this Post

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

Leave a comment