Murder by Decree

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Murder by Decree

PG

1979

2h 1m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

15 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

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Frank J. Avella

The Contending

Plummer delivers an extraordinary performance here...His banter with Mason is the stuff of old married couple-dialogue.

Rated: B+

Jan 27, 2025

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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

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

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

Jun 23, 2021

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A handsomely mounted thriller.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 29, 2020

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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

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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

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ed m

Just OK. Great cast.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

09/19/23

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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

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steve d

I found it surprisingly ineffective given the cast and characters.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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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

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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

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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