Murder by Decree

Play trailer

Murder by Decree

PG

1979

2h 1m

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

86%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After learning of mass murderer Jack the Ripper's gruesome reign of terror, private detective Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) decides to investigate. The police are no help, withholding information about the case from Holmes. But the detective refuses to be deterred, seeking the crucial assistance of psychic Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), who sets him on the right path. Holmes, along with his trusted sidekick, Dr. Watson (James Mason), descends into a shadowy underworld of crime.

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

Holmes, in any form, has yet to be bettered (sorry, Benedict).

Rated: 5/5

Jun 28, 2021

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...the notion of Holmes in conflict with British government black-ops makes for a highly entertaining fantasy...

Rated: 4/5

Jul 1, 2021

Full Review

Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

One of the best Holmes films that's been made.

Jun 23, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The major flaw with the film is the pacing, which can't match the sharp, quick intellect of Holmes.

Rated: 5/10

Aug 30, 2020

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A handsomely mounted thriller.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 29, 2020

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

One of the more imaginative Sherlock Holmes films.

Rated: B+

Aug 12, 2015

Full Review

Read all reviews

Carlos I

Sherlock Holmes hunting Jack the Ripper? With an amazing cast like this?! With Bob Clark directing?!!! One paper this should be a favorite of mine... It's just such a bummer I found it soo boring.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/17/24

Full Review

Jack S

Although well made and gloomily atmospheric, Murder By Decree is marred somewhat by a weak climatic action scene followed by a rather drawn-out reveal during the finale. By that time, the mystery, initially intriguing, has lost some of its punch. A strong cast and a little humor helps throughout, but Plummer is but an adequate Holmes who's consistently upstaged by the wonderful Mason who (as a most intelligent and useful Watson), steals most of their scenes together.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/02/23

Full Review

ed m

Just OK. Great cast.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

Full Review

Kate

It really was well acted with Plummer and Mason playing the roles with humour and intelligence. Donal Sutherland was his usual border line sociopath trapped in a script. A touch of empathy and sympathy toward the murder victims was rather new too. Their lives are often viewed as expendable because they are morally unfashionable.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/14/23

Full Review

steve d

I found it surprisingly ineffective given the cast and characters.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

marco b

One of the early adaptations of Stephen Knight's "Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution" which implicates the Royal Family in the infamous White Chapel murders. This film combines fictional character Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer), having him try and solve the case.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Bob Clark

Director

Christopher Plummer

Sherlock Holmes

James Mason

Dr. John H. Watson

Donald Sutherland

Robert Lees

David Hemmings

Inspector Foxborough

Susan Clark

Mary Kelly

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Investigating the Crime Scene

2:03

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Discovering the Killers

1:48

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Don't Let Them Hurt Me

2:58

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - The Radical Informant

3:00

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - The Story of Annie Crook

2:53

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Cornering the Last Pea

2:25

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Speaking with Mary Kelly

2:54

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Sherlock Confronts Sir Charles

2:59

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Meeting at the Wharf

3:01

Murder by Decree: Official Clip - Insulting the Prince

2:02

View more videos

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

76%

68%

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution

Watchlist

Death on the Nile

79%

79%

Death on the Nile

Watchlist

Family Plot

92%

62%

Family Plot

Watchlist

Murder on the Orient Express

89%

78%

Murder on the Orient Express

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Murder on the Orient Express

Rollercoaster

53%

49%

Rollercoaster

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

After learning of mass murderer Jack the Ripper's gruesome reign of terror, private detective Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) decides to investigate. The police are no help, withholding information about the case from Holmes. But the detective refuses to be deterred, seeking the crucial assistance of psychic Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland), who sets him on the right path. Holmes, along with his trusted sidekick, Dr. Watson (James Mason), descends into a shadowy underworld of crime.

Director: Bob Clark
Production Co: Highlight, Canadian Film Development Corporation (CFDC), Highlight Communications, Famous Players
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 15, 2016
Runtime: 2h 1m