Murder by Decree (1979)

Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Arthur Conan Doyle (characters), John Hopkins (screenplay),

Stars:

Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings

5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Plummer	...	Sherlock Holmes
James Mason	...	Dr. John H. Watson
David Hemmings	...	Inspector Foxborough
Susan Clark	...	Mary Kelly
Anthony Quayle	...	Sir Charles Warren
John Gielgud	...	Prime Minister Lord Salisbury
Frank Finlay	...	Inspector Lestrade
Donald Sutherland	...	Robert Lees
Geneviève Bujold	...	Annie Crook
Chris Wiggins	...	Doctor Hardy
Tedde Moore	...	Mrs. Lees (as Teddi Moore)
Peter Jonfield	...	William Slade
Roy Lansford	...	Sir Thomas Spivey
Catherine Kessler	...	Carrie
Ron Pember	...	Makins

Storyline

Sherlock Holmes investigates London's most infamous case, Jack the Ripper. As he investigates, he finds that the Ripper has friends in high places.

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Plot Keywords:

sherlock holmes | jack the ripper | murder | psychic | conspiracy | 

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Taglines:

Can the genius of Sherlock Holmes stop the terror of Jack the Ripper?

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack

Filming Locations:

Southwark, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Famous Players, Highlight

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some of the film's movie posters featured the long preamble: "The Jack the Ripper Murders. Sherlock Holmes lifts the veil of secrecy, corruption and terror at the heart of the throne of England itself. Clue by clue... Murder by murder...".

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Goofs

Holmes later refers to the cab that ran him over as a "hansom". Those were two-wheeled vehicles, and Holmes was attacked by a four-wheeler. (Sure, he's entitled to be a bit confused here, what with being injured, but then again, this is the master of observation and he would have been particular about the distinction between a hansom and a brougham).

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Quotes

Sherlock Holmes: [to a sleeping Watson] The games afoot! No time to lose!

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Connections

Version of From Hell (2001)

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Soundtracks

"Abide With Me"
(uncredited)
Written by William H. Monk
Arranged by Edrich Siebert
KPM Music Ltd

User Reviews

Expansively produced, wonderfully atmospheric, credibly acted Ripper yarn.

This isn't the first time Holmes has met Jack the Ripper in the movies, but this particular encounter leaves all others for dead. Handsomely photographed and produced, this notable addition to the Holmes cycle not only presents a credible yet intriguing Sherlock in Christopher Plummer, but just as importantly a Doctor Watson more akin to Conan Doyle's creation than the silly ass usually presented on the screen by Nigel Bruce and his successors. Full marks to James Mason.

The support cast is also top-notch, though some false beards were a trifle obvious. Another minor complaint lies in the poorly conceived, tacked-on ending in which Holmes is examined by John Gielgud's unyielding Prime Minister.

Otherwise this is a remarkably handsome film that transports the viewer right back to a teemingly authentic Sherlock Holmes London.