Murder by Decree (1979)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
63% of users liked it
(1,166 ratings)

The murders by the infamous British criminal, Jack the Ripper, catch the attention of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer), but he does not receive the expected call from Scotland Yard because he is being purposefully excluded from the investigation. Instead, Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), a… More The murders by the infamous British criminal, Jack the Ripper, catch the attention of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer), but he does not receive the expected call from Scotland Yard because he is being purposefully excluded from the investigation. Instead, Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), a psychic who volunteered information to the police about the murders, provides the Great Detective with the necessary incitement to action. As the murders proceed, it becomes clear to all concerned that it is more important to stop them than to announce their solution, and Holmes enters the fray with the help of his trusty aide, Dr. Watson (James Mason). The former mistress of a "prominent personage," Annie Crook (Genevieve Bujold), provides crucial information leading to a final confrontation on London's docks. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr.
Directed By: Bob Clark, Bob Clark (III)
Written By: Arthur Conan Doyle, John Hopkins
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1979 Wide
On DVD: Jan 21, 2003

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
A fond homage to the heyday of Hammer Studio, and a canny transmuting of Victorian Britannia to the tail end of the politicized '70s
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
May be my favorite Sherlock Holmes movie.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
Plummer and Mason together make one of cinema's great -- certainly the most touching -- Holmes-Watson teams. Ripperologists will be pleased by how faithful the script is to historical incidents and persons involved.
Mark Bourne, DVDJournal.com
...in this disc's commentary track [director/producer Bob Clark] proves to be one of the more listenable and informative 'how we did it' speakers.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
A cool premise executed well
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Murder by Decree is spiffy entertainment for lovers of good mystery stories.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Danny R

An intelligent well-plotted suspense thriller beautifully directed by the late Bob Clark, in which Sherlock Holmes brilliantly played by Christopher Plummer and his associate Dr. Watson, the late great veteran actor James Mason in a deliciously sly performance investigates the… More
An intelligent well-plotted suspense thriller beautifully directed by the late Bob Clark, in which Sherlock Holmes brilliantly played by Christopher Plummer and his associate Dr. Watson, the late great veteran actor James Mason in a deliciously sly performance investigates the gruesome murders of Jack the Ripper in London circa 1888 and discovers a mass conspiracy to protect the killer. Notable supporting performances from David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Anthony Quayle, John Gielgud, Frank Finlay, Donald Sutherland and Genevieve Bujold in standout performance as Annie Crook. The period recreation is flawless. One of the best and most original Sherlock Holmes films ever made. Highly Recommended.
Marion R

It was a fun watch. It reminded me of From Hell.
James B

Solid Sherlock Holmes tale starring the great Christopher Plummer and James Mason as the tag-team of Holmes & Watson! An interesting tale as it involves the famous Jack The Ripper murders. Check it out if you have that Sherlock bug from the Ritchie/Downey version!