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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.

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   1,245 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 2% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Bob Clark
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:
(3 articles)
New Sherlock Holmes Photos And Trailer Announcement
 (From FilmSchoolRejects. 6 May 2009, 6:07 AM, PDT)

Back Catalogue #1 - Synapse Films
 (From Fangoria. 29 April 2009, 1:43 PM, PDT)

User Comments:
Superbly atmospheric, produced but flawed... more

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:
UK | Canada
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Frank Finlay also played Inspector Lestrade in A Study in Terror (1965), another film that pitted Sherlock Holmes against Jack the Ripper. Both films also featured Anthony Quayle in a supporting role. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: The piper at Catherine Eddowes's funeral is not playing any notes on the chanter and in one sequence and has both hands totally still whilst a musical sequence is played. more
Quotes:
Sherlock Holmes: Watson, what are you doing?
Dr. John H. Watson: I'm trying to corner the last pea on my plate.
Dr. John H. Watson: [Holmes squashes the pea] You squashed my pea.
Sherlock Holmes: Well, now you've got it cornered.
Dr. John H. Watson: Yes but squashing a fellow's pea.
Sherlock Holmes: Just trying to help.
Dr. John H. Watson: I didn't want it squashed, I don't like it that way - I like it whole so that you can feel it pop when you bite down on it.
Sherlock Holmes: Sorry, I wasn't thinking.
more
Movie Connections:
References A Study in Terror (1965) more
Soundtrack:
Preludio more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 11 people found the following comment useful:-
Superbly atmospheric, produced but flawed..., 7 December 1998
7/10
Author: Poirot-3

"Murder by Decree" could have been one of THE great Sherlock Holmes films but suffers from problematic scenes that need to be edited or cut altogether. Outstanding art direction and recreation of London in 1888 help to salvage it. It also features winning interpretations of Holmes and Watson by Christopher Plummer and James Mason (my favorite Dr. Watson), and fine performances by a strong supprting cast. It also features one of the scariest moments I've ever seen in a film, when the black eyes of the killer appears in a tight close-up. Scary! Overall: sluggish at time, but entertaining.

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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 complete jumble of a movie **spoilers** boomcoach
a fun link to 'chat' with Jack! Montmartre1
One of my favorite films on Jack luciefilm
The most human Holmes? wordbug
I watch it once a month... mcquestion
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Recommendations

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From Hell Jack the Ripper A Study in Terror Jack the Ripper Jack el destripador de Londres
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