There's no doubt in my mind that the identity of Jack the Ripper is known to certain people, written down in top-secret files, locked away to avoid scandal and embarrassment. Murder by Decree explores the theory that 'Saucy Jack' was somehow connected to those in power at the time, with fictional sleuth Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) investigating the murders and discovering the shocking truth.
Murder by Decree wasn't the first film to pit Holmes against The Ripper - A Study in Terror pulled off the same trick in 1965 - but this film is the more prestigious and proficient of the two, with stylish direction by Bob Clark, plenty of brutality, intrigue and conspiracy, a wonderfully atmospheric, fog-shrouded London, and an excellent cast that includes the likes of Donald Sutherland, David Hemmings, Frank Finlay, Sir John Gielgud, Anthony Quayle, Geneviève Bujold and Dot from Eastenders.
Clark directs with an assured hand, working from an intelligent script that follows the facts more closely than A Study In Terror (an entertaining film in its own right, but less concerned with historical accuracy). Plummer make for a fine Holmes but is Mason who impresses the most as Dr. Watson, a loveable, brave and, above all, resourceful character (most unlike Nigel Bruce's bumbling assistant in the Basil Rathbone series) - it's a shame that Plummer and Mason didn't return to the roles for more adventures.
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for pointing the finger at the freemasons and the royals, who I feel have many a shocking secret up their sleeves.
Murder by Decree wasn't the first film to pit Holmes against The Ripper - A Study in Terror pulled off the same trick in 1965 - but this film is the more prestigious and proficient of the two, with stylish direction by Bob Clark, plenty of brutality, intrigue and conspiracy, a wonderfully atmospheric, fog-shrouded London, and an excellent cast that includes the likes of Donald Sutherland, David Hemmings, Frank Finlay, Sir John Gielgud, Anthony Quayle, Geneviève Bujold and Dot from Eastenders.
Clark directs with an assured hand, working from an intelligent script that follows the facts more closely than A Study In Terror (an entertaining film in its own right, but less concerned with historical accuracy). Plummer make for a fine Holmes but is Mason who impresses the most as Dr. Watson, a loveable, brave and, above all, resourceful character (most unlike Nigel Bruce's bumbling assistant in the Basil Rathbone series) - it's a shame that Plummer and Mason didn't return to the roles for more adventures.
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for pointing the finger at the freemasons and the royals, who I feel have many a shocking secret up their sleeves.