But there’s plenty more where that came from! Taking suggestions from commenters here and on social media, below are six more Sherlock Holmes adaptations with an international flavor.
Russia: My Dearly Beloved Detective
This adaptation dares to ask the question: what if Sherlock Holmes really didn’t exist? What if he was just a literary character that two women—Shirley Holmes and Jane Watson—exploit by running their own detective agency at 221B Baker Street? This quirky 1986 film features musical numbers out of nowhere, crossdressing, and a police inspector who hates Holmes so much that he’s willing to destroy his own life to derail her career. If you find it available anywhere, you tell us!
Japan and Italy: Sherlock Hound
Hungary: In the Name of Sherlock Holmes
France: Sherlock Yack
Yes, really. Based on a children’s book series, Sherlock Yack is about Sherlock Yack, who is, well, a yak. He runs a zoo and, with the help of a weasel named Hermione, solves whatever animal-related crimes (“Who Broke the Kangaroo’s Hand?” “Who Wants to Fry the Piranha?”) come his way. It’s interactive as well: just before the climax of each episode, Sherlock talks to the audience and encourages them to try to solve the case themselves. Available on YouTube in both French and English.
India: Jighansa
This Bengali film was made in 1951 and based on The Hound of the Baskervilles. Its Holmes and Watson are Smarajit Sen and Bimal, who are asked to solve a royal murder in the Indian state of Ratnagiri. As in the original novel, Sen first dispatches Bimal to do some investigating on his own. Only later do the two reunite to stop the murderer from killing again. Jighansa was later loosely remade in Hindi as Bees Saal Baad. Sorry, this one’s not available for purchase either!
Korea: Queen of Mystery
Yoo Seol-ok is a housewife who has always wanted to be a police officer. She finally gets the chance to live her dream when she meets Ha Wan-seong, an I-do-things-my-own-way policeman. He offers to let her help solve the most exciting, difficult-to-decipher mysteries that cross his desk. Of course Seol-ok accepts, and off they go on the adventure of a lifetime! This series aired in 2017 and got a sequel, Queen of Mystery 2, in 2018. Available on the series website…but only in Korean.
