Murder by Decree

1979

2h 4m

IMDb RATING

6.4/10

161

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3 Videos

55 Images

Crime

Mystery

Thriller

Sherlock Holmes is drawn into the case of Jack the Ripper, who is killing prostitutes in London's East End. Assisted by Dr. Watson, and using information provided by a renowned psychic, Robert Lees, Holmes finds that the murders may have their roots in a Royal indiscretion and that a cover-up is being managed by politicians at the highest level, all of whom happen to be Masons.

Directors

Bob Clark

Writers

Elwyn Jones(novel by)

John Hopkins(screenplay by)

John Lloyd(novel by)

Stars

Christopher Plummer

James Mason

David Hemmings

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Videos3

Photos55

Top cast

Sherlock Holmes

Dr. Watson

Inspector Foxborough

Mary Kelly

Sir Charles Warren

Prime Minister

Inspector Lestrade

Robert Lees

Annie Crook

Dr. Hardy

Mrs. Lees

Carrie

Danny

William Slade

Sir Thomas Spivey

Makins

Dock Guard

Annie Chapman

Directors

Bob Clark

Writers

Elwyn Jones(novel by)

John Hopkins(screenplay by)

John Lloyd(novel by)

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User reviews2

Review

Featured review

6/10

Christopher Plummer dons the famous deerstalker in this well produced and stylish looking outing for "Sherlock Holmes". Here, together with stalwart colleague "Dr. Watson" (James Mason) they find themselves drawn into the mysterious investigation of a series of gruesome Whitechapel murders. What is being locally described as the "Jack the Ripper" crimes is baffling "Lestrade" (Frank Finlay) to the point that his job is on the line after an intervention by the Commissioner himself (Sir Anthony Quayle). This adaptation follows the increasingly more established story of political and court intrigues around the identity of and the reasons for the "Ripper". A solid cast lend well to the overall sense of despair and, to some extent, depravity in which these prostitutes lived - with a good effort from both Susan Clark ("Mary") and Genevieve Bujold ("Annie"); the latter offering a particularly poignant scene towards the end. The denouement drags out rather, and perhaps shows up a little of the limitations of Plummer, but otherwise this is an entertaining enough retelling of a story that benefits from great attention to detail and an effective score. Rathbone and Bruce they are not, but Plummer and Mason make a good fist of this, and it's an easy watch.

Geronimo196726 Mar, 2023