Sherlock Holmes--new movie --loved the carriage scenes

[Cartfall]

Went to see the new Robert Downey Jr Sherlock Holmes movie yesterday. Set in Jolly Old England in London 19th century I beleive.

The movie opens with two carriages–paddy wagons I believe, being pulled by pairs. The first pair is very full of themselves—Sets the tone for the rest of the movie.

There are many scenes with all sorts of carriages of the time. A handsom cab is the only one I can name for sure.
Oh, there is a scene with a village cart, with 4 folks on it.

Prof Moriarty who is not shown nor has a large part in the movie has a large black fully enclosed very expensive looking carriage. Very nice even if he is not. He will definitely show up in the follow up flick for sure. The plot is already presented.

While the movie is entertaining, it is definitely a long way from Basil Rathbone of the 1940s. Lots of action --a lot of similarities with Ironman (another RD Jr flick). Both are disfunctional characters–but then again so is RD.

I truly did enjoy the street scenes --always looking to see the carriages, the horses, how they were put to the carriages, mostly pair, an occarional cart or commerical wagon,

If you really look, you will see the same horses over and over–a particular nice looking pair of grays (think they were Irish Draughts), one little Haflinger, a small horse dark in color,—

Hey Thomas, were you there as an extra perhaps? Do you do that sort of thing? The actual filming was done in Manchester and Chatham.

[MySparrow]

Yes, the carriage scenes were definitely the best part of the movie (except for Robert Downey Jr’s lovely liquid eyes). I particularly liked the scenes filmed from above.

[nightmoves]

[QUOTE=MySparrow;4583575]
Yes, the carriage scenes were definitely the best part of the movie (except for Robert Downey Jr’s lovely liquid eyes). I particularly liked the scenes filmed from above.[/QUOTE]

I agree, especially about the eyes:)

[analise]

I really got a kick out of looking for horses. Especially the drafty ones.

And I’m pretty sure I know exactly which greys you saw, OP.

[broughton_sporthorse]

Robert Downey Jr is pretty good, but paired with Jude Law is even better

Loved the horse and carriage scenes too, the pair of greys also caught my eye!

Great movie, can’t wait for the next one!

[Thomas_1]

Not me. Last film work I did was nearly 2 years ago now. You probably remember that quite some time ago I posted that I’d done some Sherlock Holmes films. They were all mid to late 80’s though.

Someone I know did the new one.

I’ve not seen the film yet but no doubt when I do I’ll be getting into trouble off Susan for “wittering on” about the carriage driving rather than following the plot.

[SmokenMirrors]

Cartfall…you said you saw a village cart with 4 people in it? I drive a village cart with my dapple grey Percheron mare and it is a 2 person seat with a drop down tail gate in back. How was it made? Was it modified to hold 4 people? Would sure love to see a photo of it as I have never seen one that could carry that many people and still look elegant and nice on the draft animal that was in harness.

[Cartfall]

[QUOTE=SmokenMirrors;4585843]
Cartfall…you said you saw a village cart with 4 people in it? [/QUOTE]

If I am using the correct term, there was a scene when Sherlock and Watson are riding in a cart with two other folks. Two folks in the front of the cart and our heros in the rear back to back with the others. Meaning the heros were facing backwards while the driver and one other faced forwards.

It was huge wheels and not a draft horse pulling it. It would have to have been incredibly balanced.

I believe MySparrow has one she got from goodhors. The photos of that carriage were similar to the one in the movie.

http://www.drivingessentials.com/pop%20up%20pages/Traditional_Carriages/tc_village_cart.htm This you can see it has a back seat

http://www.colonialcarriage.com/item.cfm?id=367 This is a rear view you can see the rear seat, but the rear drop is up

I came up with several photos of the type of cart you said you drive called village carts. So maybe some of the folks here more knowledgable can answer this.

[Thomas_1]

That’s what is called a dog cart over here. They come in 2 or 4 wheels. Very similar to a rally cart. Basically the only difference is the former has slats so the gun dogs can breath. Think Landrover… or Rangerover respectively.

They’re a nice vehicle to drive and go really well cross country. Indeed so well that it’s what a lot of us oldies used to compete with in the old days when HDT/CDE first began.

[SmokenMirrors]

[QUOTE=Cartfall;4587038]
If I am using the correct term, there was a scene when Sherlock and Watson are riding in a cart with two other folks. Two folks in the front of the cart and our heros in the rear back to back with the others. Meaning the heros were facing backwards while the driver and one other faced forwards.

It was huge wheels and not a draft horse pulling it. It would have to have been incredibly balanced.

I believe MySparrow has one she got from goodhors. The photos of that carriage were similar to the one in the movie.

http://www.drivingessentials.com/pop%20up%20pages/Traditional_Carriages/tc_village_cart.htm This you can see it has a back seat

http://www.colonialcarriage.com/item.cfm?id=367 This is a rear view you can see the rear seat, but the rear drop is up

I came up with several photos of the type of cart you said you drive called village carts. So maybe some of the folks here more knowledgable can answer this.[/QUOTE]

I really don’t like the look of the second cart, the black one…looks tired…for lack of a nice word and I don’t know if I would drive it and it not fall apart.

The village cart I have was built from a picture of one but it was hitched to a pony and my friend had a carriage and cart maker remake the one in the photo for a draft. I have not seen anyone else where were at have one as lovely as this one and it is very sturdy and a joy to sit in and drive.

Here is Smoke and I…please disregard my garb, I HATED it but a friend sewed it and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings…I placed 1st in the novice driving class that year…

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/GreySorrel/OldDominion097.jpg

http://i669.photobucket.com/albums/vv57/GreySorrel/OldDominionShow189.jpg

But thank you for posting those…I can’t wait to go see the movie, I always really watch how the animal is harnessed, what type of harness, the hitch, if it is a team or a 4 up, the lines, etc…

[MySparrow]

I love my village cart! It’s the most comfortable vehicle I own. At the moment I’m walking around and around it wondering whether to just sand it down and repaint, or strip it completely. It’s got a lot of fiddly bits to paint either way!

I do want to take apart the adjusting blocks on the axle that allow the cart to be raised and lowered. The adjusting plates are kind of painted together; I’d like to separate, paint and maybe oil them so the whole business will work better.

I had planned to start the work in the tack room/coach house, but it’s pretty busy in there most days. So I keep walking around it and around it… if anyone would like to come give me a hand, we have a lovely spare bedroom, I’m not a bad cook, and Mississippi is the sixth happiest state in the nation, according to a recent poll.

Also waiting for my new Traveller cart from Sue Ahonen. Not sure whati color it will be – I gave her a choice of two.

Lovely pics, SmokenMirrors and Thomas!

Enjoy the movie, all.

[goodhors]

@SmokenMirrors;4587213

I really don’t like the look of the second cart, the black one…looks tired…for lack of a nice word and I don’t know if I would drive it and it not fall apart.

The village cart I have was built from a picture of one but it was hitched to a pony and my friend had a carriage and cart maker remake the one in the photo for a draft. I have not seen anyone else where were at have one as lovely as this one and it is very sturdy and a joy to sit in and drive.

When shopping, you have to see potential in an elderly vehicle. The one Cartfall showed, is probably close to 100 years old, not been restored. Think how WE would look at that age, wearing ratty clothes instead of new things! Unfortunately WE are not going to be as nice looking when they clean us up as the old vehicles can be. Here is another cart from that same shop, AFTER getting redone.

http://www.colonialcarriage.com/item.cfm?id=776

Paint make you think you can sink into it, bright, tight upholstery, adds to the “new look” overall. I would take that cart out anyplace and not expect to have problems with it. I bet it is even older than the first cart shown! However restoring is expensive, time consuming and the good crafts folk are booked pretty full so you have to wait your turn.

In selling vehicles, MANY buyers want them in “Original Condition” with no restorations done, nothing fixed. They actually will PAY MORE for original, than they would for restored!! The Village cart is an excellent example of “Original Condition”, and as shown, was already sold. You probably won’t find a great many 4-seat, large horse, Village Carts around. Back in the day, not many folks drove the LARGE horses we have now, or they were not the big bodied animals wanted in the show ring of modern horses.

I do think the first Village Cart shown had lovely lines, much potential, but would NEED to be worked on, restored,to look it’s best for shows. This is only the second Village/Dogcart type that I have seen with adjustable shafts. Looked at a lot of vehicles, but the big ones like this are uncommon. Plenty of Amish type stuff, but they are not the quality of the Antiques.

“Tired looking” can certainly be fixed up!! I bet you would be amazed at the dazzling vehicle that would stand in front of you. Too bad you can’t buy wrinkle cream that does that!

[Cartfall]

Before this thread takes off totally in another direction as they often do,

let me state I was simply showing an example of what I thought was a village cart.

I am curious, am I correct in calling it that?