User Reviews

The Copper Beeches is one of my favourite of Conan Doyle's stories. Violet Hunter is offered a job as Governess but forced to cut her hair, wear particular clothes, sit in particular seats etc, in fact she is seemingly employed as a human puppet. What seems a fairly innocent motive by employer Jephro Rucastle soon becomes a very dark and sinister plot. I really did enjoy watching the Douglas Wilmer series, he made a very effective and sincere Sherlock Holmes, Nigel Stock also showed once again how brilliant he is as Doctor Watson. Patrick Wymark is very good as Mr Rucastle. This episode particularly makes me wish that Wilmer had remained longer in the part of the great detective.

Violet Hunter is offered a job as governess by the seemingly jovial Jephro Rucastle at a rate of pay of over twice what she received in her previous position. Rucastle explains to her that because of his wife's eccentricities there are some odd conditions to her employment - she must wear certain clothes, sit where she is told and she must cut her hair. This she refuses to do and declines the job. Concerned that perhaps she was being too hasty in refusing such a high paying job, she goes to Holmes and asks his advice. Since Rucastle wrote her offering her even more money she is mildly suspicious but also desperately needs a job. She tells Holmes she plans to now take the job but hopes she can call upon him if anything goes amiss. And things do go amiss in the strange Rucastle household. The most appalling thing is the behavior of the young Rucastle boy who is an extraordinarily cruel boy, quite the psychopath in training. There is also a great mastiff dog who is kept at near starvation so he will be more fierce when he prowls the grounds at night. After discovering a closed off wing to the house, Violet sends a telegram to Holmes asking for his and Watson's assistance. The whole distasteful plot is satisfactorily resolved (well, not for the abused dog made vicious and dangerous). What made this story so interesting was the character of Violet Hunter - she had great skills of observation and was level headed and fearless. Holmes clearly admires her as "a woman who can take care of herself." At the end, Holmes tells Watson that Miss Hunter accepted a position as a head mistress and should have a stellar career if only she doesn't marry (obviously a woman then couldn't do both). Watson has a look of sadness and disappointment on his face for Violet could have been the perfect woman for his friend. But, of course, Holmes must always remain unattached. A note on the cast - Patrick Wymark played Rucastle; his daughter Jane plays Joyce Barnaby on the long running Midsommer Murders series.