It is a Canadian-British film set in 1888 London, England, as Sherlock Holmes figures out the Jack the Ripper murders. The movie follows the premise of the 1976 book "Jack the Ripper: the Final Solution" by Stephen Knight.
The film opens as we see glimpses of a couple of the early murders. Scotland Yard seems to be baffled, and a citizens' committee comes seeking the help of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) and Dr. Watson (James Mason).
They're soon called to another murder where they encounter Sir Charles Warren, the Commissioner of Police (Anthony Quayle), and Inspector Foxborough (David Hemmings). Warren orders Holmes not to interfere, which was, of course, meaningless. Holmes glimpses a woman in the crowd who looks like she might be involved. This turns out to be Mary Kelly (Susan Clark), a prostitute connected to the earlier victims.
Holmes consults a medium, Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), who gives further hints about the perpetrator. As Holmes and Watson investigate further, it appears the Freemasons are involved in what seems to be a conspiracy that includes some of the government's highest members.
Eventually, they are led to a woman held in an insane asylum, Annie Crook (Geneviève Bujold), who reveals a relationship in the royal family that resulted in a child. When they return to London, Holmes and Watson cannot prevent the murder of Mary Kelly, but ultimately Holmes catches up with the perpetrators. He then outlines the whole sordid story to the Commissioner of Police, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister Lord Salisbury (John Gielgud).
For me, this was a very entertaining film. The reviews were somewhat mixed. The critical reviews thought it plodding, but I was fine with the pace. The positive reviews loved James Mason, but I thought Plummer was every bit as good Mason. Geneviève Bujold was excellent as Annie Crook. Plummer and Bujold won Canadian Genie awards for their performance.
The film opens as we see glimpses of a couple of the early murders. Scotland Yard seems to be baffled, and a citizens' committee comes seeking the help of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) and Dr. Watson (James Mason).
They're soon called to another murder where they encounter Sir Charles Warren, the Commissioner of Police (Anthony Quayle), and Inspector Foxborough (David Hemmings). Warren orders Holmes not to interfere, which was, of course, meaningless. Holmes glimpses a woman in the crowd who looks like she might be involved. This turns out to be Mary Kelly (Susan Clark), a prostitute connected to the earlier victims.
Holmes consults a medium, Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), who gives further hints about the perpetrator. As Holmes and Watson investigate further, it appears the Freemasons are involved in what seems to be a conspiracy that includes some of the government's highest members.
Eventually, they are led to a woman held in an insane asylum, Annie Crook (Geneviève Bujold), who reveals a relationship in the royal family that resulted in a child. When they return to London, Holmes and Watson cannot prevent the murder of Mary Kelly, but ultimately Holmes catches up with the perpetrators. He then outlines the whole sordid story to the Commissioner of Police, the Home Secretary, and the Prime Minister Lord Salisbury (John Gielgud).
For me, this was a very entertaining film. The reviews were somewhat mixed. The critical reviews thought it plodding, but I was fine with the pace. The positive reviews loved James Mason, but I thought Plummer was every bit as good Mason. Geneviève Bujold was excellent as Annie Crook. Plummer and Bujold won Canadian Genie awards for their performance.