Watch Murder by Decree

In the year 1979, the thriller movie "Murder by Decree" was released, and it took the story of the legendary horror character of Sherlock Holmes into a new direction, bringing in the infamous Whitechapel murders. The movie is directed by Bob Clark, and it stars a cast filled with exceptional talent, including Christopher Plummer as Sherlock Holmes, James Mason as Dr. John Watson, and David Hemmings as Inspector Foxborough.

The story is set in 1888 Victorian England, amidst the terror of the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. The streets of Whitechapel, a lower-class area of the city, are being terrorized by the serial killer. The tension in the city is high, and people are demanding justice. The movie portrays the classic duo of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, who decide to investigate the murders, recognizing the failure of the local police. Their aim is to find the killer and bring him to justice.

The movie begins with a group of prostitutes in Whitechapel, who were being protected by a man named Sir Charles Warren, who was also the head of the Metropolitan Police. The women, along with a group of activists, decide to stage a protest against Sir Charles Warren, questioning his ability to protect them. However, the protest takes a turn for the worse when the group finds a woman's body, brutally murdered by Jack the Ripper.

As Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson start investigating the case, they realize the magnitude of the crime and the complexity of the investigation. They discover that the murders were not only a result of a psychotic killer but also a result of a more significant plot that could lead to the highest levels of the government. As they follow the evidence, the duo encounters multiple dead ends and obstacles, showing the length to which the conspirators behind the murders would go to cover up their crimes.

As the investigation progresses, Sherlock Holmes finds himself a target of those who want to keep the truth behind the murders hidden. The pressure increases and the fear of not being able to stop the killer of Whitechapel, intensifies. The movie is an edge-of-the-seat thriller that keeps the audience captivated throughout with its gripping plot twists and turns.

The acting performances of this masterpiece movie are commendable. Christopher Plummer, as always, delivers a flawless performance as Sherlock Holmes, showing the iconic intelligence and charisma of the character it is known for. James Mason, in the role of Dr. John Watson, brings together the decades-old bond of friendship with Holmes and his unyielding wit while handling his investigations' lighter side. David Hemmings, as Inspector Foxborough, portrays a character struggling between allegiance to his superiors and his sense of justice.

The movie also provides the audience with an introduction to the historical context of the Whitechapel murders and the Victorian era's socio-political conditions. It captures the grim atmosphere of the Victorian era, with its dirty streets and the harsh living conditions of the working class. The movie's attention to detail gives the audience a real sense of the time period in which the story is set.

In conclusion, "Murder by Decree" is a cinematic masterpiece that tells the fictional tale of Sherlock Holmes investigating the historical event of Jack the Ripper murders. The movie is a must-watch for anyone who loves murder mysteries, suspense thrillers. The movie captures the essence of the Victorian era while giving the audience an excellent action-packed and edge-of-the-seat thriller. It is a movie that reminded people of the historical events and remains as relevant today as it was when it came out.

Murder by Decree is a 1979 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.