Murder By Decree
Can the genius of Sherlock Holmes stop the terror of Jack the Ripper?
London, 1888: When Scotland Yard is unable to stop the gruesome rampage of Jack The Ripper, a citizens committee asks Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer, in the role that won him Canada's award for Best Actor) and his trusted associate Dr.Watson (a deliciously sly performance by James Mason) to investigate. Now the brilliant pair must follow a terrifying trail of clues that includes a frightened psychic (Donald Sutherland), a suspicious Inspector (David Hemmings), an institutionalized woman (Genevieve Bujold) and the Prime Minister of England (Sir John Gielgud). But even if Holmes and Watson's remarkable powers of deduction can unmask the maniacal fiend, are they prepared to face the most shocking secret of all?
Anthony Quayle, Susan Clark and Frank Finlay co-star in this masterful suspense thriller directed by Bob Clark (A Christmas Story) that both fans and critics have called the most exciting and original Sherlock Holmes movie ever made.
Member Reviews
Murder By decree - Strat9
I couldn't disagree more with the two previous reviews. The mood is dark and chilling, the acting thoughtful and precise. This film dealas with one of the top ten theories of who Jack The Ripper might have been. It is a marriage between the fictional and the factual and holds it's suspense throughout. This is a great film, horribly ignored and underrated and a must see for film buffs and anyone interested in Jack The Ripper. All other films about Jack pale in comparison.Yet another male chauvinist film... - Yogini
It was written by men, for men, about men. The women are victims, tortured, disposable. The only "action" the women are allowed to take is to sacrifice themselves. I am sure this film titilates men's fancies: of themselves as "in control," of women as objects of sexuality and of treatment that the Marquis de Sade would have invented and thoroughly promoted. Only James Mason shines, and he steals the whole show.Reasonably tolerable - MovieLover
This is of course a psuedo Holmes and it shows.
Not the genius Conan Doyle at work but some poor hack.
The acting is good: Plummer is a passable Holmes; Mason is very good as usual.
Gielgud has a small role; and Quayle is wasted.
An uncessarily complex but predictable plot, a lot of unnecessary and boring violence.
Passable at best; but considering the top class cast prsent, this is a minor disaster.
Member Reviews
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Murder By decree - Strat9
I couldn't disagree more with the two previous reviews. The mood is dark and chilling, the acting thoughtful and precise. This film dealas with one of the top ten theories of who Jack The Ripper might have been. It is a marriage between the fictional and ...Yet another male chauvinist film... - Yogini
It was written by men, for men, about men. The women are victims, tortured, disposable. The only "action" the women are allowed to take is to sacrifice themselves. I am sure this film titilates men's fancies: of themselves as "in control," of women as objects ...Reasonably tolerable - MovieLover
This is of course a psuedo Holmes and it shows.
Not the genius Conan Doyle at work but some poor hack.
The acting is good: Plummer is a passable Holmes; Mason is very good as usual.
Gielgud has a small role; and Quayle is wasted.
An ...