Murder by Decree (1979)

Cast: Christopher Plummer (Sherlock Holmes), James Mason (Dr. John H. Watson), Sir John Gielgud (Lord Salisbury), David Hemmings (Inspector Foxborough), Susan Clark (Mary Kelly)

Director: Bob Clark

Genre: Mystery/ Horror/ Suspense

You might think this sounds kind of stupid but I actually felt privileged after I saw this hard to find film. The content behind the story line makes it supposedly disliked by many powerful people. Maybe that’s why its availability was once scarce. I even heard that it was pulled from theaters shortly after its release. But nevertheless, it’s an incredible Sherlock Holmes film, based on some not-so-talked about theories behind the Jack the Ripper murders. Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) investigates the mysterious, almost ritualistic, murders of Jack the Ripper. As Holmes notices a pattern behind the mysterious murders of women in 19th century London, he ties the murders to the secret sect of Freemasons. He also unveils specific secrets of Freemasonry. As he does this, he exposes the secret group for what they really are and this, obviously doesn’t settle to well with the Masons. As the Freemasons do all they can to protect their fellow member, Jack the Ripper, Holmes is determined to captured Ripper and cease the terror which plagues London women at night. Not only does he expose these Masons, he sheds light on their hatred for the Roman Catholic Church. This story was an incredible insight into the world of the secret society. It gives a taste of how powerful this sect is and how they operate. Christopher Plummer plays a great Sherlock Holmes. He’s no Basil Rathbone but gets through his role pretty well. This is already a classic in my book. It was certainly an original story! It also portrays a reasonably good theory behind the mystery of Jack the Ripper- one which has never been solved for certain. It really gets the audience to think. There is more behind the plot than what I’ve posted. It has such an incredible twist at the end that I can assure you, I haven’t revealed too much of the movie to ruin it. This film pulled me in right away. The intensity and suspense grows stronger as the film progresses! This is mystery at its best.