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Murder by Decree

6.5

2,290

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Original title

Murder by Decree

Year

1979

Running time

118 min.

Country

United Kingdom

Director

Bob Clark

Screenwriter

John Hopkins. Characters: Arthur Conan Doyle

Cast

Music

Carl Zitter, Paul Zaza

Cinematography

Reginald H. Morris

Producer

Co-production United Kingdom-Canada;

Genre

Thriller. Mystery. Horror. Drama | 19th Century. Sherlock Holmes. Serial Killers. Crime

Movie Groups

Sherlock Holmes | Jack the Ripper

Synopsis

London, 1888: When Scotland Yard is unable to stop the gruesome rampage of Jack The Ripper, a citizens committee asks Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer, in the role that won him Canada’s award for Best Actor) and his trusted associate Dr. Watson (a deliciously sly performance by James Mason) to investigate. Now the brilliant pair must follow a terrifying trail of clues that includes a frightened psychic (Donald Sutherland), a suspicious Inspector (David Hemmings), an institutionalized woman (Geneviève Bujold) and the Prime Minister of England (Sir John Gielgud). But even if Holmes and Watson’s remarkable powers of deduction can unmask the maniacal fiend, are they prepared to face the most shocking secret of all?

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Awards: 1979: National Society of Film Critics (NSFC): nominated to Best Supporting Actor.

1980: Genie Awards (Canada): 5 awards. 8 nominations

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Critics' reviews

"Murder by Decree is probably the best Sherlock Holmes film since the inimitable pairing of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the 1940s series at Universal."

Variety Staff: Variety
"[It] would go on to inspire Alan Moore’s graphic novel 'From Hell' (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 4)"

Budd Wilkins: Slant
"Though the script is a bit dense and the film slightly overlong, it's exciting and engrossing on all levels."

TV Guide
"Mr. Hopkins's screenplay is funny without being condescending, more aware of history, perhaps, than Conan Doyle's mysteries"

Vincent Canby: The New York Times
"This is lots of fun and the actors definitely look like they're having a good time. (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"

Kim Newman: Empire
"Not entirely successful, but still an imaginative and ambitious attempt to combine historical speculation, conspiracy thriller, and the world of Conan Doyle."

Geoff Andrew: Time Out

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Murder by Decree

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