View source for Murder by Decree

{{short description|1979 film by Bob Clark}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Murder by Decree
| image          = Murder by decree poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Bob Clark]]
| screenplay     = [[John Hopkins (screenwriter)|John Hopkins]]
| based_on       = ''The Ripper File''<br />by John Lloyd<br />[[Elwyn Jones (writer)|Elwyn Jones]]<br />''Sherlock Holmes'' characters by<br />[[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]]
| starring       = [[Christopher Plummer]]<br />[[James Mason]]<br />[[David Hemmings]]<br />[[Susan Clark]]<br />[[Anthony Quayle]]<br />[[John Gielgud]]<br />[[Frank Finlay]]<br />[[Donald Sutherland]]<br />[[Genevieve Bujold]]
| producer       = Bob Clark<br />René Dupont
| music          = [[Paul Zaza]]<br />Carl Zittrer
| studio         = [[Telefilm Canada|CFDC]]<br>[[Famous Players]]
| cinematography = [[Reginald H. Morris]]
| editing        = Stan Cole
| distributor    = [[Embassy Pictures|AVCO Embassy Pictures]] (in the United Kingdom through [[Columbia Pictures|Columbia]]-[[EMI]]-[[Warner Bros.|Warner Distributors]]<ref name=lac>{{cite web|title=Murder by Decree|website=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|date=12 May 2015 |access-date=8 October 2021|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/canadian-feature-film-database/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=778&DotsIdNumber=}}</ref>)<br />Ambassador Film Distributors (Canada)<ref name=lac />
| released       = {{Film date|1979|02|01|[[University Theatre (Toronto)|University Theatre]], [[Toronto]]|ref1=<ref>"'Hollywood' opening set for Toronto". ''[[The Globe and Mail]]''. 24 January 1979. F.13.</ref>|df=y}}
| country        = Canada<br />United Kingdom
| runtime        = 124 minutes
| gross          = $1.9 million (Canada)<ref name=Can>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=21 November 1979|title=Canada-Only B.O. Figures|page=24}}</ref>
| budget         = $5 million<ref name="canada">{{cite news|title=FILM CLIPS: Canadians Shooting for the Big Leagues|last=Lee|first= Grant|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=13 January 1979|page= b10}}</ref>
| language       = English
}}

'''''Murder by Decree''''' is a 1979 [[Mystery film|mystery]] [[thriller film]] directed by [[Bob Clark]]. It features the [[Sherlock Holmes]] and [[Dr. Watson|Dr. John Watson]] characters created by [[Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]], who are embroiled in the investigation surrounding the real-life [[Whitechapel murders|1888 Whitechapel murders]] committed by [[Jack the Ripper]]. [[Christopher Plummer]] plays Holmes and [[James Mason]] plays Watson. Though it features a similar premise, it is somewhat different in tone and result to ''[[A Study in Terror]]''. It is loosely based on ''The Ripper File'' by [[Elwyn Jones (writer)|Elwyn Jones]] and John Lloyd.

The film's premise of the plot behind the murders is influenced by the book ''[[Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution]]'' (1976), by [[Stephen Knight (author)|Stephen Knight]], who theorised that the killings were part of a [[Freemasonry|Masonic]] plot. The original script contained the names of the historical suspects, Sir [[William Gull]] and [[John Netley]].<ref name="barnes">{{cite book |last=Barnes|first=Alan |author-link=Alan Barnes (writer)|title=Sherlock Holmes on Screen |year=2011 |publisher=[[Titan Books]]|pages=121–126 |isbn=9780857687760 }}</ref> In the actual film, they are represented by fictional analogues: Thomas Spivey (Gull) and William Slade (Netley).<ref name="barnes"/> This plot device was later used in other Jack the Ripper-themed fiction, including the graphic novel ''[[From Hell]].''

==Plot==
After the [[Metropolitan Police]] fail to apprehend the serial killer [[Jack the Ripper]], [[Sherlock Holmes]] is approached to investigate the recent murders of prostitutes in the [[Whitechapel]] district of [[London]]. Helped by [[Dr. Watson|Dr. John Watson]] and the medium [[Robert James Lees|Robert Lees]], Holmes discovers that all the victims were companions of Annie Crook, a woman locked in a mental institution.

Members of the police hierarchy and several politicians, all [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]], seem to be protecting one of their own. Furthermore, Inspector Foxborough, the policeman who is in charge of the case, is in fact the secret leader of the radicals, a political movement waiting for the British government to fall because of its inability to solve the Whitechapel murders. Holmes must rely on his skills to find and confront the murderer.

==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Christopher Plummer]] as [[Sherlock Holmes]]<ref>{{cite book|author=Robert Cettl|title=Serial Killer Cinema: An Analytical Filmography with an Introduction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=koZZAAAAMAAJ|year=2003|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0-7864-1292-1|pages=297–298}}</ref>
* [[James Mason]] as [[Dr. Watson|Dr. John Watson]]
* [[David Hemmings]] as Inspector Foxborough
* [[Susan Clark]] as [[Mary Jane Kelly|Mary Kelly]]
* [[Frank Finlay]] as [[Inspector Lestrade|Inspector G. Lestrade]]
* [[Anthony Quayle]] as [[Charles Warren|Sir Charles Warren]]
* [[Donald Sutherland]] as [[Robert James Lees|Robert Lees]]
* [[Geneviève Bujold]] as Annie Crook
* [[John Gielgud]] as [[Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury|Lord Salisbury]]
* Peter Jonfield as William Slade
* Roy Lansford as Sir Thomas Spivey
* [[Ron Pember]] as Makins
}}

==Production==
The film was directed by [[Bob Clark]] and written by playwright [[John Hopkins (screenwriter)|John Hopkins]], who scripted the [[James Bond]] film ''[[Thunderball (film)|Thunderball]]'' (1965).<ref name="barnes"/> The script partially was inspired by [[Elwyn Jones (writer)|Elwyn Jones]]'s book ''The Ripper File''.<ref name="barnes"/> Hopkins referenced [[Arthur Conan Doyle|Sir Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s work, particularly [[Sherlock Holmes]]' deduction and science skills but downplayed other aspects of the characters, such as Holmes' drug use, in favour of making them more likeable and human.<ref>{{cite web|last=Holler|first=Brian|title=Murder by Decree |url=https://www.popmatters.com/119701-murder-by-decree-2496156371.html|website=[[PopMatters]]|date=9 February 2010|access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

The film stars [[Christopher Plummer]] and [[James Mason]] as Holmes and [[Dr. Watson|Dr. John Watson]] respectively, and presents a largely different version of Holmes from the [[Basil Rathbone]] movies of the 1940s, with the aesthete still prevailing, yet tinged with humanity and emotional empathy. Plummer stated that he tried to make Holmes more human and caring, saying "This is a passionate and caring Holmes."<ref name="barnes"/> Mason's Watson is also a departure from previous incarnations; although he may appear at first to resemble the bumbling [[Nigel Bruce]] version of the character, he soon shows his level head and scientific and medical training to be as valuable assets as they were in the original stories. Like Plummer, Mason wanted to play up Watson's skills and avoid the buffoonish way the character had been portrayed before.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sherlock Holmes on Screen: "Murder by Decree" (1979) |url=http://betterholmesandgardens.blogspot.com/2012/02/sherlock-holmes-on-screen-murder-by.html|date=4 February 2012|access-date=30 November 2018}}</ref> Mason received especially good reviews for his performance.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sweeney|first=Kevin|title=James Mason: A Bio-bibliography|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1999|page=188|isbn=9780313284960}}</ref> Plummer had earlier portrayed Holmes in 1977's ''[[Silver Blaze (1977 film)|Silver Blaze]]''.<ref name="barnes"/>

The supporting cast includes [[Donald Sutherland]], [[Susan Clark]], [[John Gielgud]], [[Anthony Quayle]], [[David Hemmings]] and [[Geneviève Bujold]]. [[Frank Finlay]] plays [[Inspector Lestrade|Inspector G. Lestrade]], a part he had portrayed in the similar film ''[[A Study in Terror]]'' (1965), in which Quayle also played a supporting role.<ref name="barnes"/> Finlay continued his association with Holmes by appearing in an episode of [[ITV Granada|Granada TV]]'s ''[[Sherlock Holmes (1984 TV series)|Sherlock Holmes]]'', starring [[Jeremy Brett]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Monty|first=Scott|title=Remembering Frank Finlay|url=http://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2016/02/remembering-frank-finlay.html?m=1#.W9J_XNBOk0M|website=I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere|date=3 February 2016 |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

The film was shot on location in [[London]] in 1978. The interior sets, including a vast [[Victorian era]] street, were created at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]]. The docks set was built at [[Shepperton Studios]].<ref name="barnes"/>

$3 million of the budget came from Canada, $2 million from the UK.<ref name="canada"/>

==Reception==
[[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film "a good deal of uncomplicated fun, not in a class with [[Nicholas Meyer]]'s ''[[The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (film)|The Seven Percent Solution]]'', but certainly miles ahead of many other current movies that masquerade as popular entertainment".<ref>Canby, Vincent (9 February 1979). [https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/09/archives/film-murder-by-decree-in-foggy-old-londonripper-redux.html "Film: 'Murder by Decree' in Foggy Old London".] ''[[The New York Times]]''. C1.</ref> A review in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "probably the best Sherlock Holmes film since the inimitable pairing of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the 1940s series at [[Universal Pictures|Universal]]. Unfortunately, it also shares some of the defects of those films, i.e. slow pacing, an improbable story line, and an undue emphasis on odd characters."<ref>"Film Reviews: Murder By Decree". ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. 24 January 1979. 22.</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film two-and-a-half stars out of four and wrote that its "biggest problem is its script, which runs on for a full 120 minutes with no place to go. We see a couple of murders, meet a psychic (Donald Sutherland) and a long-suffering woman trapped in a psychiatric prison (Genevieve Bujold), then the story doubles back with recapitulation after recapitulation. The film has at least two false endings. I mistakenly put on my coat with one reel to go. All of this is a shame, because the cast is excellent."<ref>Siskel, Gene (20 March 1979). "Holmes film: The violence is 'Murder'". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. Section 2, p. 7.</ref> [[Kevin Thomas (film critic)|Kevin Thomas]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote, "Unfortunately, under Bob Clark's uninspired, plodding direction, Hopkins' elaborations make for a slow and ponderous film, despite a starry cast and some scary moments. Not helping matters is Christopher Plummer's rather colorless Sherlock Holmes. The one real joy in the film is James Mason's warm, loyal, sometimes dense Dr. Watson."<ref>Thomas, Kevin (9 March 1979). "Holmes Vs. Ripper; Watson Vs. Pea". ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''. Part IV, p. 23.</ref> [[Lawrence O'Toole (journalist)|Lawrence O'Toole]] of ''[[Maclean's]]'' declared, "If you were to look for the right word to describe ''Murder By Decree'' you would have to go into the archives, lift it lightly from its resting place, and dust it off. The word? Splendid."<ref>O'Toole, Lawrence (12 February 1979). "Elegant, my dear Watson". ''[[Maclean's]]''. 54.</ref> Gary Arnold of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated, "While never as playful or ingenious as Nicholas Meyer's screenplay for ''The Seven Per-Cent Solution'', Hopkins' mystery is crisp and chilling right up to the denouement. At that point it might be wise to edge toward the exits, since the solution leaves much to be desired."<ref>Arnold, Gary (30 March 1979). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1979/03/30/decree-crisp-chiller/3f63344c-d477-4d81-ad52-498c66d990ca/ "'Decree': Crisp Chiller".] ''[[The Washington Post]]''. B1.</ref> [[David Ansen]] of ''[[Newsweek]]'' wrote that the film was "not a new idea" but declared it "a decided success. Christopher Plummer and James Mason seize their roles like a couple of happy musicians handed prize antique instruments: their duets are by turns droll, lyric and touching."<ref>Ansen, David (26 February 1979). "London Fog". ''[[Newsweek]]''. 81.</ref>

The film was nominated for eight [[Genie Awards]] at the [[1st Genie Awards]] in 1980, of which it won five,<ref name="barnes"/> including [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Director|Best Achievement in Direction]] (Bob Clark), [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Actor|Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role]] (Christopher Plummer), [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role]] (Geneviève Bujold), [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Editing|Best Achievement in Film Editing]] and [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Score|Outstanding Musical Score]]. It was also nominated for [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Cinematography|Best Achievement in Cinematography]], [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Achievement in Sound Editing]] and [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Sound Mixing|Best Achievement in Sound]].

The film was the fourth highest-grossing film ever in Canada, with a gross of $1.9 million.<ref name=Can/> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it holds a rating of 81% from 16 reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/murder_by_decree|title=Murder by Decree|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Dust and Shadow|Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson]]''
* ''[[The Last Sherlock Holmes Story]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0079592|title=Murder by Decree}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|murder_by_decree}}
* [http://www.bakerstreetdozen.com/plummer.html Christopher Plummer and Murder By Decree]

{{Bob Clark}}
{{John Hopkins}}
{{HolmesFilms}}
{{Jack the Ripper media}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Murder By Decree}}
[[Category:1979 films]]
[[Category:1970s British films]]
[[Category:1970s Canadian films]]
[[Category:1970s English-language films]]
[[Category:1970s historical thriller films]]
[[Category:1970s mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:1970s serial killer films]]
[[Category:British crossover films]]
[[Category:British historical thriller films]]
[[Category:British mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Canadian historical thriller films]]
[[Category:Canadian mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury]]
[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
[[Category:English-language historical thriller films]]
[[Category:English-language mystery thriller films]]
[[Category:Films about conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:Films about Jack the Ripper]]
[[Category:Films directed by Bob Clark]]
[[Category:Films produced by Bob Clark]]
[[Category:Films scored by Paul Zaza]]
[[Category:Films set in the Victorian era]]
[[Category:Films set in 1888]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films shot at EMI-Elstree Studios]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by John Hopkins]]
[[Category:Historical mystery films]]
[[Category:Sherlock Holmes films]]