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John H. Watson

John H. Watson
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John H. Watson, known as Dr. Watson, is a fictional character in the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Watson is Sherlock Holmes' friend, assistant and sometime flatmate, and the first person narrator of all but four of these stories. He is described as the typical Victorian-era gentleman, unlike the more eccentric Holmes. He is astute, although he can never match his friend's deductive skills.

Watson has been adapted in various films, television series, video games, comics, and radio, retaining his role as Holmes' friend and confidant.

Biography

Dr. Watson's first name is mentioned on only four occasions. Part one of the very first Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, is subtitled Being a reprint from the Reminiscences of John H. Watson, M.D., Late of the Army Medical Department. The preface of the collection His Last Bow is signed 'John H. Watson, M.D', and in "The Problem of Thor Bridge", Watson says that his dispatch box is labeled 'John H. Watson, M.D'. His wife Mary Watson calls him 'James' in "The Man with the Twisted Lip"; Dorothy L. Sayers speculates that Mary may be referring to his middle name Hamish (an Anglicisation of 'Sheumais', the vocative form of 'Seumas', the Scottish Gaelic for James), though Doyle himself never addresses this beyond including the initial.

In A Study in Scarlet, Watson, as the narrator, establishes having received his medical degree from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, the University of London in 1878, and subsequently being trained at Netley as an assistant surgeon in the British Army. (In a non-canonical story, "The Field Bazaar", Watson is described as having received his Bachelor of Medicine from Doyle's alma mater, Edinburgh University; this would likely have been in 1874.) He joined British forces in India with the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers before being attached to the 66th (Berkshire) Regiment of Foot, saw service in the Second Anglo-Afghan War, was wounded at the Battle of Maiwand (July 1880) by a Jezail bullet in the shoulder, suffered enteric fever and was sent back to England on the troopship HMS Orontes following his recovery. With his health ruined, he was then given a monthly pension of 11 shillings/9 pence for 9 months.

In 1881, Watson is introduced by his friend Stamford to Sherlock Holmes, who is looking for someone to share rent at a flat in 221B Baker Street. Concluding that they are compatible, they subsequently move into the flat. When Watson notices multiple eccentric guests frequenting the flat, Holmes reveals that he is a "consulting detective" and that the guests are his clients.

Watson witnesses Holmes' skills of deduction on their first case together, concerning a series of murders related to Mormon intrigue. When the case is solved, Watson is angered that Holmes is not given any credit for it by the press. When Holmes refuses to record and publish his account of the adventure, Watson endeavours to do so himself. In time, Holmes and Watson become close friends.

In The Sign of the Four, John Watson becomes engaged to Mary Morstan, a governess. In "The Adventure of the Empty House", statements by Watson imply that Morstan has died by the time Holmes returns after faking his death; that fact is confirmed when Watson moves back to Baker Street to share lodgings with Holmes. Conan Doyle mentioned another wife in The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier (set in January 1903), but this wife was never named or described.

At the beginning of A Study in Scarlet, Watson states he had "neither kith nor kin in England". In the Sign of the Four, it is established his father and older brother are deceased, and both shared the initial 'H', when Holmes examines an old watch in Watson's possession, formerly his father's before inherited by his brother. Holmes estimates the watch to have a value of 50 guineas, so H. Watson, Sr., was a very prosperous man if he could have afforded such an item. Holmes deduced from the watch that Watson's brother was "a man of untidy habits—very untidy and careless. He was left with good prospects but threw away his chances, lived for sometime in poverty with occasional short intervals of prosperity and finally, taking to drink he died."


Watson as Holmes' biographer
Throughout Doyle's novels, Watson is presented as Holmes' biographer. At the end of the first published Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, Watson is so incensed by Scotland Yard's claiming full credit for its solution that he exclaims: "Your merits should be publicly recognised. You should publish an account of the case. If you won't, I will for you". Holmes suavely responds: "You may do what you like, Doctor". Therefore, the story is presented as "a reprint from the reminiscences of John H. Watson", and most other stories of the series share this by implication.

In the first chapter of The Sign of Four, Holmes comments on Watson's first effort as a biographer: "I glanced over it. Honestly, I cannot congratulate you upon it. Detection is, or ought to be, an exact science and should be treated in the same cold and unemotional manner. You have attempted to tinge it with romanticism... The only point in the case which deserved mention was the curious analytical reasoning from effects to causes, by which I succeeded in unravelling it"; whereupon Watson admits, "I was annoyed at this criticism of a work which had been specially designed to please him. I confess, too, that I was irritated by the egotism which seemed to demand that every line of my pamphlet should be devoted to his own special doings".

In "Silver Blaze", Holmes confesses: "I made a blunder, my dear Watson—which is, I am afraid, a more common occurrence than anyone would think who only knew me through your memoirs"; and in The Hound of the Baskervilles, chapters 5–6, Holmes says: "Watson, Watson, if you are an honest man you will record this also and set it against my successes!"; whereas in his prologue to "The Adventure of the Yellow Face," Watson himself remarked: "In publishing these short sketches [of Holmes’ cases]...it is only natural that I should dwell rather upon his successes than upon his failures", on grounds that where Holmes failed, often nobody else succeeded.

Sometimes Watson (and through him, Conan Doyle) seems determined to stop publishing stories about Holmes: in "The Adventure of the Second Stain", Watson declares that he had intended the previous story (“The Adventure of the Abbey Grange”) "to be the last of those exploits of my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, which I should ever communicate to the public", but later decided that "this long series of episodes should culminate in the most important international case which he has ever been called upon to handle" ("The Second Stain" being that case). Despite this, it was succeeded by 20 other stories.

In the later stories, written after Holmes' retirement (c. 1903–04), Watson repeatedly refers to "notes of many hundreds of cases to which I have never alluded”, on grounds that after Holmes' retirement, the detective showed reluctance "to the continued publication of his experiences. So long as he was in actual professional practice the records of his successes were of some practical value to him, but since he has definitely retired...notoriety has become hateful to him" ("The Adventure of the Second Stain"). After Holmes' retirement, Watson often cites special permission from his friend for the publication of further stories; but received occasional unsolicited suggestions from Holmes of what stories to tell, as noted at the beginning of "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot".

In "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier," one of only two stories narrated by Holmes himself, the detective remarks about Watson: "I have often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures"; but the narrative style seldom differs, and Holmes confesses that Watson would have been the better choice to write the story. In any case, Holmes regularly referred to Watson as my "faithful friend and biographer," and once exclaims, "I am lost without my Boswell".

At the beginning of "The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger", Watson makes strong claims about "the discretion and high sense of professional honour" that govern his work as Holmes' biographer, but which do not keep Watson from expressing himself and quoting Holmes with candor of their antagonists and their clients. In "The Red-Headed League," for example, Watson introduces Jabez Wilson: "Our visitor bore every mark of being an average commonplace British tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow"—wearing "a not over-clean black frock-coat".

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See more : Wikipedia

Filmography of John H. Watson (106 films)

Display filmography as list
Holmes & Watson, 1h30
Directed by Etan Cohen
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Comedy thriller, Adventure, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films
Actors Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Hugh Laurie, Rebecca Hall, Kelly Macdonald, Ralph Fiennes
Rating39% 1.954491.954491.954491.954491.95449
Adaptation des célèbres aventures de Sherlock Holmes et de son acolyte Watson.
Holmes & Watson: Madrid Days, 2h9
Directed by José Luis Garci
Origin Espagne
Genres Drama, Thriller, Noir, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Leticia Dolera, Macarena Gómez, José Luis García Pérez, Manuela Velasco
Rating43% 2.151132.151132.151132.151132.15113
Des meurtres semblables à ceux attribués à Jack l'Éventreur sont commis à Madrid. Holmes (Gary Piquer), qui est sujet à des rêves prémonitoires au cours desquels il entrevoit la survenue de ces meurtres, décide de se rentre à Madrid pour enquêter sur l'affaire en compagnie du Docteur Watson (José Luis García Pérez) marié depuis peu à Mary Morstan (Leticia Dolera).
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2h9
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Thriller, Action, Adventure, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Steampunk films, Buddy films
Actors Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Kelly Reilly
Rating73% 3.6972853.6972853.6972853.6972853.697285
In 1891, Irene Adler delivers a package to Herr Dr. Hoffmanstahl; payment for a letter he was to deliver. Hoffmanstahl opens the package, triggering a hidden bomb that is prevented from detonating by the intervention of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes takes the letter while Adler and Hoffmanstahl escape. Holmes finds Hoffmanstahl assassinated moments later. Adler meets with Professor Moriarty to explain the events, but Moriarty poisons and kills her — deeming her position compromised by her love for Holmes.
Tom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes, 48minutes
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Adventure, Historical, Crime, Animation
Themes Films about animals, Films about cats, Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films, Children's films
Actors Malcolm McDowell, Michael York, John Rhys-Davies, Grey DeLisle, Billy West, Jeff Bergman
Rating64% 3.2453053.2453053.2453053.2453053.245305
In London, an unseen criminal begins masterminding his "perfect plot on paper" which starts with a robbery taking place and three cats stealing a pink diamond. Three constables spot them and give chase, but the cats escape to the rooftops and glide off into the night, giving the stolen diamond to a mysterious horseman. The next day Dr. Watson rushes to 221B in Baker Street and informs his colleague Sherlock Holmes of the robbery. Holmes calls Jerry Mouse to bring him a copy of the Times. Jerry heads out to buy it, bumping into Tom Cat on the way, who has something for Holmes. Jerry sends a pile of bricks on Tom and Tom gives chase. Jerry returns to Holmes' flat and hands him the paper or what was left of it after the chase. Reading a letter Tom had given to them, for the night, Holmes and Watson decide to go to the Bruce Nigel Theatre and see a lady named Red. Holmes is told that she is being blackmailed and Holmes suggests the perpetrator might be - Professor Moriarty. Holmes deduces that the Star of Punjab, a diamond that is sensitive to the light of a solar eclipse which was to happen the following day, is to be stolen by the mastermind of the blackmail.
Sherlock Holmes, 1h29
Directed by Rachel Goldenberg
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Science fiction, Thriller, Fantasy, Action, Horror
Themes Films about animals, Dinosaur films, La préhistoire, Transport films, Aviation films, Animaux préhistoriques, Sherlock Holmes films, Political films, Steampunk films, Buddy films
Actors Gareth David-Lloyd, Dominic Keating, Andrew Jackson
Rating36% 1.8406551.8406551.8406551.8406551.840655
The film begins during the German air raids in London in 1940. An elderly Dr. John Watson tells his nurse the tale of an unrecorded case he shared with his friend Sherlock Holmes. In 1882, Holmes and Watson investigate a ship carrying gold which was reportedly destroyed by a monstrous giant octopus on the coast of Newhaven. They do not believe the first-hand accounts of the sole survivor of the attack, but nonetheless investigate. Holmes is informed by Inspector Lestrade that he has recently had contact with Holmes's estranged brother Thorpe, a former partner of Lestrade's who was paralyzed during a bank robbery seven years prior.
Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady, 3h
Directed by Peter Sasdy
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Crime
Actors Christopher Lee, Patrick Macnee, Morgan Fairchild, John Bennett, Michael Siberry, Dominic Jephcott
Rating57% 2.8511652.8511652.8511652.8511652.851165
Un ingénieur autrichien, le Dr Froelich, met au point un détonateur télécommandé, offrant un important avantage technique à l'État qui le possédera. Froelich offre cette invention à l'ambassadeur du Royaume-Uni, Sir Reginald, mais le prototype ainsi que les plans sont volés par deux inconnus. Un papier tombé d'une poche indique que les bandits vont se rendre à l'opéra le soir même. Froelich s'y rend pour récupérer son invention, rencontre l'un des voleurs, mais leur confrontation se termine par la chute fatale de l'ingénieur depuis les coulisses techniques en hauteur.
Sherlock Holmes, 2h8
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Thriller, Comedy, Action, Adventure, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Robert Downey Jr., William Hope, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Kelly Reilly
Rating75% 3.7960953.7960953.7960953.7960953.796095
In 1891, London detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his partner and flatmate Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) race to prevent the ritual murder of a woman by Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), who has killed five other young women similarly. They stop the murder before Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) and the police arrive to arrest Blackwood.
Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars, 1h54
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films
Actors Jonathan Pryce, Bill Paterson, Michael Maloney, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Anna Chancellor, Christopher McHallem
Rating64% 3.242143.242143.242143.242143.24214
The Baker Street Irregulars investigate as several of their members go missing, while also trying to prevent Sherlock Holmes — who is undergoing a personal crisis — being convicted of murder.
The Case of the Whitechapel Vampire, 1h30
Directed by Rodney Gibbons
Origin Canada
Genres Thriller, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh, Bertrand Maria, Sharon Lawrence, Michel Perron
Rating60% 3.000143.000143.000143.000143.00014
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are called to Whitechapel after learning about a series of strange murders only two years after the Jack the Ripper murders in the same neighborhood. The local belief is that the killings are the work of a vampire brought back from a recent mission in Guyana. As they investigate the deaths, they engage in an ongoing debate about the supernatural, with Watson believing in the possibility of vampires and Holmes remaining skeptical until he is able to prove the murders are the works of a living human, rather than any undead creature. At one point, the investigation leads them to the psychic Madame Karasky, who says that Holmes will be saved by the church. Shortly thereafter, Holmes is pushed in front of a moving carriage by the supposed vampire, only to be saved by a pedestrian. In order to catch the murderer, Holmes disguises himself as a monk and reveals that the vampire was Brother Abel, who hoped to get revenge on the monks who didn't listen to him when he believed that the bats were causing rabies in the South American mission, when he was infected. The film ends at Baker Street, when Mrs. Hudson gives Holmes his pipe, delivered by the same man that saved Holmes from being run over. When Holmes asks his name, Mrs. Hudson says his name was Reginald Church.
The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1h40
Directed by David Attwood
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Thriller
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Richard Roxburgh, Ian Hart, Richard E. Grant, Danny Webb, Matt Day, John Nettles
Rating64% 3.2457553.2457553.2457553.2457553.245755
L'intrigue suit la trame du roman éponyme de Conan Doyle tout en prenant quand même quelques libertés :
The Royal Scandal, 2h
Directed by Rodney Gibbons
Origin Canada
Genres Thriller, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh, Liliana Komorowska, R.H. Thomson
Rating59% 2.999372.999372.999372.999372.99937
Sherlock Holmes enquête sur une affaire de chantage, mêlant le prince héritier de Bohême, une princesse scandinave et une talentueuse chanteuse d'opéra...
The Sign of Four, 1h30
Directed by Rodney Gibbons
Origin Canada
Genres Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh, Sophie Lorain, Michel Perron, Cas Anvar, Daniel Brochu
Rating59% 2.95182.95182.95182.95182.9518
Mary Morstan reçoit une perle de toute beauté chaque année de la part d'un inconnu. Lors du dernier envoi, cette personne demande à la rencontrer. Elle demande l'aide de Sherlock Holmes et du Docteur Watson. Ils vont se trouver mêlés à une histoire de terrible vengeance…
The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1h30
Directed by Rodney Gibbons
Origin Canada
Genres Drama, Thriller, Crime
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Matt Frewer, Kenneth Welsh, Jason London, Arthur Holden, John Dunn-Hill, Leni Parker
Rating59% 2.951972.951972.951972.951972.95197
Sherlock Holmes et le docteur Watson enquêtent sur les menaces qui pèsent sur l'héritier des Baskerville…
Sherlock Holmes: Incident at Victoria Falls, 3h
Directed by Bill Corcoran
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Drama, Adventure, Crime
Actors Christopher Lee, Patrick Macnee, Jenny Seagrove, Joss Ackland, Richard Todd, Claude Akins
Rating60% 3.0477653.0477653.0477653.0477653.047765
King Edward demander Sherlock Holmes pour effectuer une tâche plus avant sa retraite: pour sauvegarder l'étoile de l'Afrique sur un voyage à Cape Town. Bientôt le joyau légendaire est volé et plusieurs personnes finissent par être assassiné.
Hands of a Murderer, 1h37
Directed by Stuart Orme
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Thriller, Action, Adventure
Themes Sherlock Holmes films, Buddy films
Actors Edward Woodward, John Hillerman, Anthony Andrews, Kim Thomson, Peter Jeffrey, Warren Clarke
Rating56% 2.8188152.8188152.8188152.8188152.818815
Londres, 1900. Alors qu'il va enfin être pendu, le professeur Moriarty, cerveau du crime et ennemi juré de Sherlock Holmes, parvient à s'enfuir. Il reprend aussitôt ses activités criminelles en volant un code secret utilisé par l'armée anglaise pour chiffrer ses communications militaires, code qu'il essaie de revendre au plus offrant, une fois la clé en sa possession. Moriarty enlève donc le créateur du code, le seul à en avoir la clé. Malheureusement pour Moriarty, il s'agit de Mycroft Holmes, frère aîné de Sherlock et éminence grise des services secrets...