IMDb > Murder by Decree (1979)
Murder by Decree
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Murder by Decree (1979) More at IMDbPro »

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Murder by Decree (1979) -- Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.

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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   1,323 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Arthur Conan Doyle (characters)
John Hopkins (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 February 1979 (USA) more
Tagline:
Sherlock Holmes unveils the secrecy of Jack the Ripper - clue by clue - murder by murder. more
Plot:
Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
5 wins & 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(5 articles)
Back Catalogue #4: Vci Entertainment
 (From Fangoria. 26 October 2009, 4:34 AM, PDT)

Murder By Decree Comes To DVD December 15th
 (From shocktillyoudrop. 22 September 2009)

User Comments:
"There is still decency." A marvellous film. more (61 total)

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
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack (USA)
Sherlock Holmes: Murder by Decree
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Runtime:
124 min | Sweden:110 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The only scene employing any stunt doubles was the stagecoach scene with Christopher Plummer and Susan Clark. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: In the final dialogue scene between Holmes and Watson after the Whitehall interview, Holmes is depicted using his right hand to bow four notes on the free-standing upright violin on the desk. He purports to play middle B, E and D followed by treble E on open strings - but it is impossible to play a B natural on an open A string. The A string's pitch must be raised to B by a finger stop for the dubbed sound to be physically possible. The open string pitches are tenor G, middle D, middle A and treble E. more
Quotes:
Sherlock Holmes: We've unmasked madmen, Watson, wielding scepters. Reason run riot. Justice howling at the moon. more
Soundtrack:
Preludio more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
21 out of 23 people found the following comment useful.
"There is still decency." A marvellous film., 4 September 2000
Author: simon-118 from London

This is a remarkable little movie that has never reached classic status for some reason. Aside from an incredible cast, all of whom suit the dignified proceedings admirably, there are two other stars who lift this film above the level of an excellent thriller. One is the production design. The old Hollywood style of foggy streets and dark alleys, with sinister cabs skulking along, is the stuff nightmares are made of. The East End is horrible, a hell on earth. The other unsung hero is the music. A beautiful soundtrack which ranges from chilling strings and harps to the charming end music. Christopher Plummer is fabulous as Holmes, heroic and ingenious but with a strong sympathy which no other actor in the role apart from Jeremy Brett has captured. His scenes with Mason are a joy; the pair really work together, complete with catchphrases and a mutual respect. Donald Sutherland is also captivating as Robert Lees...his eyes are those of a man living in helpless terror. The film's finest moment is the scene between Holmes and Annie Crook. Genevieve Bujould is heartbreaking in the role,a perfect piece of casting despite her accent, and Holmes' reaction to her plight is deeply moving. Make no mistake, the theory of the Ripper murders is barmy, but wonderful entertainment. It does slander Sir Charles Warren and Lord Salisbury unbelievably; Anthony Quayle puts in a gloriously over the top turn in repulsive corruption. There is an interesting subtext to the film as well, namely the fight between decency and corruption. Annie's innocence and goodness is uncorrupted even by her plight, and the decency of Mary Kelly is a ghost that hangs over the last half an hour. The end credits are beautiful, with gorgeous theatrical and old-fashioned cast and credits, such as "Frank Finlay was Inspector Lestrade." There is decency in the most unlikely of places, and Holmes and Watson are the solid rocks while around them people sink and swim in the chaos. A moving, brilliantly realised and frightening film.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Murder by Decree (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
The 'Pea' scene moviegoer36
a fun link to 'chat' with Jack! Montmartre1
One of my favorite films on Jack luciefilm
A complete jumble of a movie **spoilers** boomcoach
The most human Holmes? wordbug
I watch it once a month... mcquestion
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