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      Murder by Decree

      PG 1979 2h 1m Mystery & Thriller List
      86% 14 Reviews Tomatometer 64% 1,000+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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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 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 Audience Member It includes the worst clichés either about Sherlock Holmes/Watson or Jack the Ripper (maybe original in its moment, but well-known nowadays). Anyway, actors are good, and plot is entertaining. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Murder by Decree

      Murder by Decree (1979) Murder by Decree (1979) Murder by Decree (1979) Murder by Decree (1979) Murder by Decree (1979) Murder by Decree (1979) View more photos

      Critics Reviews

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      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

      Movie Info

      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
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Mystery & Thriller
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Jul 15, 2016
      Runtime
      2h 1m