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Murder by Decree

  • 1979
  • PG
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
7.2K
YOUR RATING
Murder by Decree (1979)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer4:16
1 Video
63 Photos
Period DramaCrimeMysteryThriller

Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders commited by Jack the Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer.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
    • John Hopkins
    • Elwyn Jones
  • Stars
    • Christopher Plummer
    • James Mason
    • David Hemmings
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    7.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Arthur Conan Doyle
      • John Hopkins
      • Elwyn Jones
    • Stars
      • Christopher Plummer
      • James Mason
      • David Hemmings
    • 121User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Murder by Decree
    Trailer 4:16
    Murder by Decree

    Photos63

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    + 55
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    Top cast45

    Edit
    Christopher Plummer
    Christopher Plummer
    • Sherlock Holmes
    James Mason
    James Mason
    • Dr. Watson
    David Hemmings
    David Hemmings
    • Inspector Foxborough
    Susan Clark
    Susan Clark
    • Mary Kelly
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Sir Charles Warren
    John Gielgud
    John Gielgud
    • Prime Minister Lord Salisbury
    Frank Finlay
    Frank Finlay
    • Inspector Lestrade
    Donald Sutherland
    Donald Sutherland
    • Robert Lees
    Geneviève Bujold
    Geneviève Bujold
    • Annie Crook
    • (as Genevieve Bujold)
    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
    June Brown
    June Brown
    • Annie Chapman
    Ken Jones
    • Dock Guard
    Terry Duggan
    • Danny
    • Director
      • Bob Clark
    • Writers
      • Arthur Conan Doyle
      • John Hopkins
      • Elwyn Jones
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Peter O'Toole was originally cast as Sherlock Holmes, and Sir Laurence Olivier was cast as Dr. Watson. The two actors had not worked well together in the past, and were unable to overcome their differences for this movie.
    • Goofs
      The Jack the Ripper murders happened in 1888. Tower Bridge, which opened in 1894, is complete in several establishing shots.
    • Quotes

      Prime Minister Lord Salisbury: You have my word.

      Sherlock Holmes: [Acidly] I would prefer some more reliable authority.

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Hair/Murder By Decree/A Perfect Couple/The Champ/Buck Rogers in the 25th Century/Love at First Bite/In Search of Dracula (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      God Save the Queen
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      Arranged by Ivor Slaney

      De Wolfe Music Ltd

      Played at the opera

    User reviews121

    Featured review

    Excellent Holmes Mystery!

    If you love the legendary London sleuth, dark, mysterious Victorian streets, an ample collection of plot twists, and good, solid acting, then this film is for you. It has a fine story about the meeting of the greatest detective Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and the mysterious Jack the Ripper in some of the best Victorian street settings filmed. Christopher Plummer is excellent as Holmes, giving him characteristics rarely seen in film such as humour and compassion. His Holmes is easily the most humane ever on screen, even at one point wiping tears from his face. James Mason makes a wonderful and amusing Dr. Watson. The rest of the cast is just as good and the story, although not very plausible, is nonetheless very intriguing and suspenseful.
    • BaronBl00d
    • Sep 27, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Murder by Decree?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 9, 1979 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack
    • Filming locations
      • Oakley Court, Windsor Road, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC)
      • Famous Players
      • Highlight
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • CA$5,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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